The Flying Horse Big Band: Unbridled

On Unbridled, its ninth album to date, central Florida's admirable Flying Horse Big Band "meets veteran tenor saxophonist George Garzone" on four of seven numbers, starting with John Coltrane's exemplary jazz standard, "Giant Steps," arranged by the band's music director, Jeff Rupert.

Garzone is showcased again on Michael Philip Mossman's handsome arrangement of Rupert's seductive "Pharaoh's Daughter," Lalo Schifrin's genial "Reflections" (neatly scored by Mark Taylor) and Slide Hampton's clever arrangement (borrowing phrases from "Giant Steps") of Coltrane's sturdy "Impressions," which closes the album. The remaining trio of songs are Per Danielsson's sublime "View of Heaven" and Rupert's fleet-fingered "Chasin' Tail" and gently swinging "It Gets Better" (arranged by Taylor), on which Rupert's eloquent Stan Getz- flavored tenor commands center stage.

When Garzone is absent, the band's tenors, Quint Johnson and Paul Van Wormer (moving from his alto chair) have great fun pursuing each other and trading broadsides on "Chasin' Tail," as drummer Jamesley Jean-Mary and the ensemble weigh in to keep them on their toes and swinging. Pianist Daniel Tenbusch is the graceful soloist on "View of Heaven," wherein the band is typically snug, strong and eager to accelerate the tempo on "Impressions," paving the way for another sure and adventurous solo from Garzone.

Garzone and the FHBB first performed together in 2023 at the Jazz Education Network's annual convention, so successfully that a mutual decision was made to enter a studio the following day and repeat the performance, this time in a more permanent format. After blowing lustily on "Giant Steps" and "Pharaoh's Daughter," Garzone shows his warmer side on "Reflections" before changing pace again on "Impressions," on which pianist Richard Drexler and drummer Clarence Penn, faculty members from the band's home base at the University of Central Florida near Orlando, flank bassist Carlos Barreto in the rhythm section.

Garzone is the second tenor saxophonist invited to record with the band; the first was swing maestro Harry Allen (who arranged "Chasin' Tail" this time around), on the FHBB's fourth album, Big Man on Campus. Allen filled the bill perfectly, as does Garzone on Unbridled. For big-band enthusiasts, a must-hear banquet with all the proper ingredients.