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The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra: Along for the Ride

By Jack Bowers
June 20, 2019
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The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra: Along for the Ride

On the third album as leader of his superlative New York-based Jazz Orchestra, trombonist

Pete McGuinness

arranger
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Pete McGuinness proves again that he is one of the more astute and resourceful composer / arrangers on the scene today. From "Put on a Happy Face" through "One for the Maestro," McGuinness' impressive charts are decorous models of warmth and perception. As a bonus, McGuinness sings (and scats),

Chet Baker

trumpet and vocals
1929 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Chet Baker-style, on

Michel Legrand

piano
1932 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Michel Legrand's "You Must Believe in Spring" and Marvin Fisher / Jack Segal's lovely ballad, "May I Come In."

Among the more engaging aspects of Along for the Ride is that, unlike McGuiness' earlier albums, it rests firmly on a straight-ahead and swinging framework that brightens every mood and tempo. That's true even when McGuinness is addressing a well-worn theme and turning it inside out and upside down, as he does on the Broadway show-stopper "Put on a Happy Face," first sung by the incomparable Dick van Dyke in the hit musical Bye Bye Birdie. Another splendid example is the Gershwin brothers' "Who Cares," which has seldom sounded more enchanting than it does in McGuinness' smooth and easygoing arrangement. Or "One for the Maestro," written Basie-style in memory of McGuinness' high-school band director, Bill Stanley, a marvelous way to wrap up a superb session that glistens and satisfies from start to finish.

Presaging that handsome finale are a trio of McGuinness' impressive tunes—"Old Roads," "Point of Departure," "Aftermath"—and

Nat Adderley

trumpet
1931 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Nat Adderley's carefree "Jive Samba," which fits neatly into the over-all scheme. Good as the leader's compositions and arrangements are, however, they must be faced head-on and brought to life by a group of talented musicians, and McGuinness' seasoned ensemble is more than up to the task, dispatching every number with agility and assurance. As the soloists are no less admirable, it suffices simply to name them: tenor

Tom Christensen

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Christensen, pianist

Mike Holober

piano
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Holober ("Happy Face"); Holober again ("Spring"); flugel

Chris Rogers

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Rogers, drummer

Scott Neumann

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Neumann ("Roads"); McGuinness, Neumann, tenor

Rob Middleton

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob Middleton, trumpeter

Bill Mobley

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Mobley ("Departure"); Holober, soprano

Dave Pietro

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Pietro ("Aftermath); Holober ("May I Come In"); trombonist

Matt Haviland

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Haviland, baritone

Dave Riekenberg

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Riekenberg ("Jive Samba"); alto Mark Phaneuf, trombonist

Mark Patterson

trombone
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Patterson ("Who Cares); Pietro (alto), trombonist

Bruce Eidem

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Bruce Eidem, bassist Andy Ealau ("Maestro"). Each one is deft and resourceful, and there isn't a false note to be heard.

Nor are there any disconcerting bumps on the entire Ride, which has positioned itself as a front-runner among the many big-band albums that are competing to ensnare the hearts and ears of a steadily waning body of perceptive listeners.

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Track Listing

Put on a Happy Face; You Must Believe in Spring; Old Roads; Point of Departure; Aftermath; May I Come In; Jive Samba; Who Cares; One for the Maestro.

Personnel

Pete McGuinness

arranger

Pete McGuinness: leader, composer, arranger; Bill Mobley: trumpet; Jon Owens: trumpet; Tony Kadleck: trumpet; Chris Rogers: trumpet; Dave Riekenberg: alto sax; Dave Pietro: alto sax; Rob Middleton: tenor sax; Mark Phaneuf: tenor sax; Tom Christensen: baritone sax; Jeff Nelson: trombone; Matt Haviland: trombone; Bruce Eidem: trombone; Mark Patterson: bass trombone; Mike Holober: piano; Paul Meyers: guitar; Andy Ealau: bass; Scott Neumann: drums.

Album information

Title: Along for the Ride | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Summit Records

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