Big Bands
April 2007 By David Franklin
Risë’s Rose Garden
Jazz Excursion
This was a labor of love for Richie Cole, whose wife Risë had passed away not long before the session took place. Her rose garden was where they often retreated. The small band of two saxophones, one or two trumpets, trombone and rhythm section went into...
April 2007 By David Franklin
The Colors of Jazz
Jazz Arts Group
Although the Columbus Jazz Orchestra has recorded four albums under founder Ray Eubanks, this is their first under present director Byron Stripling, whose wide-ranging credits include having played lead trumpet with the Count Basie Orchestra. Consisting...
April 2007 By David Franklin
Fast Track
Jazzed
You may not have heard of Jack Cortner, but you’ve probably heard his music. He wrote theme music for The Edge of Night and As The World Turns, but if you’re not into soap operas, you may have heard his arrangement of the theme for Monday Night Football...
April 2007 By David Franklin
Live at Luna
Whaling City Sound
Drummer Gerry Gibbs is the son of the famous vibist-bandleader Terry Gibbs, and like his dad, fronts an exciting big band. His is composed of superior players from San Antonio and Austin, Texas. In this live recording, the band performs a varied set of charts...
April 2007 By David Franklin
Tiger by the Tail
TCB
Tiger by the Tail has it all: inspired arrangements, sharp ensemble playing, swinging, inventive soloists and a cooking rhythm section. Pianist-composer-arranger George Gruntz has assembled many excellent big bands over the years and this is a fine one...
April 2007 By David Franklin
Live at Herbst Theatre
Hesteria
It’s a shame the sound is so poor on this live recording by saxophonist-composer Karlton Hester’s northern California big band, since the performance was obviously relished by the audience. But often it’s impossible to hear the inner parts, which along with...
April 2007 By David Franklin
Once in a Lifetime
TCB
The hr-Bigband, an arm of Hessian Radio (Hessischer Rundfunk), located in the German state of Hesse, is a superb group of musicians who know how to play together and improvise at a very high level. Their recordings often involve famous Americans, and Once...
April 2007 By David Franklin
Excalibur
Arabesque Recordings
Steve Wiest’s jazz education includes a master’s degree from the University of North Texas and five years as arranger and featured trombonist with Maynard Ferguson. On his debut album as a leader, he demonstrates his mastery of his instrument as well as...
November 2006 By David Franklin
Up From the Skies: Music of Jim McNeely
Planet Arts Recordings
In addition to his many other duties, Jim McNeely has been pianist and composer-in-residence for the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (born as the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra) since his return to the band in 1996. Up From the Skies is the group’s second CD...
November 2006 By David Franklin
Live at El Camino College
UFO
This recording was not released when it was made in 1990 and the original tapes subsequently got destroyed. Backup tapes deteriorated somewhat between then and now, and the apparent result is that one track ends unexpectedly with a quick fade and another...
