Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tony Kadleck Big Band: Around The Horn

Tony Kadleck Big Band: Around The Horn

By Nicholas F. Mondello
August 12, 2014
View read count

In assessing baseball talent, the scouts' description "five-tool talent" describes a hitter who can do it all—run, field, hit for average, hit with power and throw. When a musician such as

Tony Kadleck

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Kadleck steps into the recording batter's box as leader and with work presented such as Around the Horn, the description not only fits like a glove, but, the musical umpires surely will be "finger-twirling" and calling it a Grand Slam.

Kadleck, long a key fixture in the New York studio and Broadway pit scene (contrary to pit rumor, the diminutive statuette was not named after him, but he does play the Tony? Awards yearly) takes the leader, lead trumpet and arranging chores in this terrific assortment of both brilliantly arranged and performed popular classics

Stevie Wonder

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry About a Thing" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On"). His aggregation of some of the New York Metro Area's finest (including guest soloist

Randy Brecker

trumpet
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Brecker blistering on

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker's "African Skies") is a swinging, high-energy unit that embraces Kadleck's challenging charts and ultimately delivers.

While Kadleck is well-known as a fine lead and all-around trumpeter, what shines and surprises here—in addition to his take-command lead chops—is his superb arranging. Each of the selections has Kadleck's pen challenging the sections, ensembles and framing soloists superbly. The rhythmic and dynamic intensities throughout are outstanding. One can easily identify Kadleck's arranging influences—

Sammy Nestico

composer / conductor
1924 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Sammy Nestico a la

Count Basie

piano
1904 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Count Basie on

Cannonball Adderley

saxophone
1928 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Cannonball Adderley's "Wabash,"

Thad Jones

trumpet
1923 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Thad Jones,

Gerald Wilson

composer / conductor
1918 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerald Wilson,

Oliver Nelson

saxophone
1932 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Oliver Nelson and even a shading of

Gil Evans

composer / conductor
1912 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Evans. But, Kadleck's pen stands on its own as his intelligent rhythmic and textural approaches and balance of the ensembles' four sections, as well as the of framing his superb soloists, is indeed unique. The band's pure emotional intensity on Leonard Bernstein's "One Hand, One Heart" from "West Side Story" is the highlight among many on this recording. The surprisingly dark, but not eccentric, rendition of "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" renders the Tommy Dorsey-related tune heard with new ears.

The back cover of this outstanding recording depicts baseball's home plate with a player's "home run" footprint stamped on it. Don't be surprised if that's not Kadleck's size 9 as Around the Horn knocks it out of the park.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Green Tea; Creepin;; African Skies; What's Going On; Wabash; How Do You Keep The Music Playing?; Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing; One Hand, One Heart; Look To The Sky; I'm Getting Sentimental Over You.

Personnel

Tony Kadleck

trumpet

Aaron Heick: saxophone; Andy Snitzer: saxophone; David Mann: saxophone; Charles Pillow: saxophone; Jason Rigby: saxophone; Janelle Reichman: saxophone; Dave Riekenberg: saxophone; Kenny Berger: saxophone; Tony Kadleck: trumpet; Jon Owens: trumpet; James De La Garza: trumpet; John Bailey: trumpet; Darryl Shaw: trumpet; Alex Norris: trumpet; Dylan Schwab: trumpet; Michael Davis: trombone; Keith O'Quinn: trombone; John Wheeler: trombone; Randy Andos: trombone; Henry Hey: piano; Mike Holober: piano; Pete McCann: guitar; David Finck: bass; Dave Ratajczak: drums; Mike Berkowitz: drums; Dan Rieser: percussion; Meyer Horn: percussion; Randy Brecker: trumpet (3).

Album information

Title: Around The Horn | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Rodrigo Amado Motion Trio meetings w...
< Previous

Simon Phillips: Protocol II
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make 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.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.