Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » US Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble: Three Shades of Blue

167

US Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble: Three Shades of Blue

By

Sign in to view read count
US Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble: Three Shades of Blue
While the Army and Air Force have a number of world-class jazz ensembles garrisoned here in the States and abroad, the Navy has essentially one, the Commodores, so it had better be good.

It is.

In fact, the Commodores are better than good, boasting enough seagoing firepower to stare down such well-equipped armadas as the Airmen of Note, Army Blues and other topnotch service bands without blinking, as they prove again on Three Shades of Blue. I've been a fan of the Commodores since I heard them perform in concert a number of years ago at the National Institute for Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and afterward listened to their impressive recordings M Street SE, Here and Now and Live!, and there's nothing on Blue to darken that glowing opinion.

On the contrary, these gentlemen (and one lady) not only play marvelously, collectively and individually, they write superbly as well. Half of the dozen selections on Blue and all of the arrangements were inscribed by members of the ensemble. Baritone saxophonist Robert Holmes composed "Blues for a Change, "The Green Umbrella and "If the Shoe Fits ; tenor Stephen Williams "Tuning Up the Hurricane and "Cathal Brugha Blues ; pianist Dan LaMaestra "Revell's Reverie. LaMaestra arranged Dizzy's "A Night in Tunisia, while Williams did the same for Jim Snidero's "Ventura and Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed, Holmes for Rodgers and Hart's "I'll Take Romance, the last two nicely sung by Yolanda Pelzer. Another tenor, Philip Burlin, doubles as arranger and soloist on Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood, as does trombonist Jennifer Krupa (one of the IAJE's "Sisters in Jazz a few years back) on Tommy Flanagan's "Freight Trane.

Soprano saxophonist Michael Mulligan dances happily beneath the sturdy "Green Umbrella, and mention must be made of lead trombonist David Perkel's lustrous tone on the cozy "Shoe (which encloses a graceful solo by flugel Timothy Stanley). Tenor Luis Hernandez offers snappy remarks on the blustery "Hurricane and (with Holmes) on "Cathal Brugha, while LaMaestra is a standout with Stanley (trumpet) on "Tunisia, Williams (alto) on "Ventura, Mulligan (soprano) and bassist Randy Mattson on "Reverie. Krupa's charming muted trombone solo on "Trane is complemented by Burlin's tenor and Stanley's trumpet. Each of the originals is admirable, with high marks as well for the persuasive charts by Krupa ("Trane ), Williams ("Ventura ) and Burlin ("Sentimental Mood ).

In sum, another thoroughly pleasurable and stress-free voyage by the unsinkable Navy Commodores.

Track Listing

Blues for a Change; The Green Umbrella; A Night in Tunisia; Tuning Up the Hurricane; If the Shoe Fits; I

Personnel

William Moore, Thomas Palance, Christopher Walker, Timothy Stanley: trumpet; Philip Burlin, Stephen Williams, Luis Hernandez, Robert Holmes, William Mulligan: reeds; Jamie Way, Jennifer Krupa, Mark Morgan, David Perkel: trombone; Dan LaMaestra: piano; David Malvaso: guitar; Randy Mattson: bass; John Parsons: drums; Yolanda Pelzer: vocals.

Album information

Title: Three Shades of Blue | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: USNC

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.