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Bob Florence Limited Edition / Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band / Dana Legg Stage Band / John Burnett Swing Orchestra
Bob Florence Limited EditionLegendary
MAMA
2009
"Legendary" is a word that is often misused and shamelessly over-used, and in this case entirely appropriate. Even though composer / arranger / pianist 
Bob Florence
piano1932 - 2008
Florence, who had planned to record with the ensemble before his passing in May 2008, wrote four of the album's nine selections and arranged all of them in his singularly personal style. The Limited Edition responds in this "labor of love" with one of its most impressive performances ever, perhaps equaled only by another soul-stirring homage at the Los Angeles Jazz Institute's "Swingin' Affair" last May. As Florence's tasteful piano was also absent from the session, the band enlisted the help of one of his like-minded kindred spirits, 
Alan Broadbent
pianob.1947
Michel Legrand
piano1932 - 2019
The disc opens with Florence's resourceful arrangement of 
Billy Strayhorn
piano
1915 - 1967
Carl Saunders
trumpet
1942 - 2023Bob Efford
b.1928
Kim Richmond
saxophone
Peter Erskine
drums
b.1954
Bob McChesney
trombone
Johnny Mandel
arranger
b.1925
One of Florence's last compositions, the rhapsodic 15 minute tone poem "Fluffy," was written for Faye Tompach, the wife of Florence's close friend Norm Tompach; the playful "Geezerhood" as a tongue-in-cheek salute to senior citizens. Erskine, soprano Don Shelton, trombonist Alex Iles and trumpeter Steve Huffsteter are charming on "Fluffy," (muted) trombonist 
Scott Whitfield
trombone
b.1963
The sound quality on Legendary is exemplary, the playing time a generous 71 minutes-plus. Blend in Florence's magnificent compositions and arrangements, superbly performed by one of the country's leading ensembles, and this is by any measure an album of uncommon significance. More than that, it is an earnest and warm-hearted valedictory to a peerless leader who was and is Legendary.
Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band
I'm BeBoppin' Too
Half Note Records
2009
This is a congenial album, the third by the 
Dizzy Gillespie
trumpet
1917 - 1993
Thelonious Monk
piano
1917 - 1982
Tadd Dameron
piano
1917 - 1965
Kenny Dorham
trumpet
1924 - 1972
One reason, perhaps, is that Dizzy's Business was gleaned from a high-powered concert performance at Pittsburgh's Manchester Craftsmens Guild, whereas BeBopppin' is a more even-tempered studio session (the booklet does not disclose the date or place). Another explanation may be that there are more vocals (five) this time, which, if the singers were anyone but 
Roberta Gambarini
vocals
b.1972
James Moody
woodwinds
1925 - 2010
Roy Hargrove
trumpet
1969 - 2018
There's no need to endorse the soloists, as they include trumpeters Hargrove, 
Greg Gisbert
trumpet
b.1966
Claudio Roditi
trumpet
1946 - 2020
Jimmy Heath
saxophone, tenor
1926 - 2020
Antonio Hart
band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1968
Gary Smulyan
saxophone, baritone
b.1956
Michael Dease
trombone
b.1982
Jason Jackson
trombone
Doug Purviance
trombone
Cyrus Chestnut
piano
b.1963
Yotam Silberstein
guitar
Slide Hampton
trombone
1932 - 2021
The high spots (aside from Gambarini's always pleasing vocals) are Salim's animated "Dizzy's Blues" (buoyant solos courtesy of Hargrove, Dease, Chestnut and Gisbert), Dorham's Afro-Latin "Una Mas" (smartly arranged by Heath to underscore incisive comments by Gross, Purviance and Smulyan), Hargrove's ballad feature ("I Can't Get Started," arranged by John "Doc" Wilson) and Gil Fuller
b.1920
Ray Brown
bass, acoustic
1926 - 2002
In sum, a remarkably proficient and invariably engaging second outing by the suitably named All-Stars. Recommended—but not the equal of Dizzy's Business.
Dana Legg Stage Band
The Other One
Sea Breeze Records
2003
More than 11 years after recording his first album, Boneheads, trombonist Dana Legg has at long last marshaled the time and resources to complete a second. The Other One, freshly minted by Legg's exemplary Chicago-based Stage Band, is so consistently impressive it makes the lengthy interval between the two seem almost bearable.
Actually, The Other One (whose title song by pianist Ron Mills is a tribute to the great Bob Florence
piano
1932 - 2008
Mark Colby
saxophone
1949 - 2020
Rob Parton
trumpet
Mark Taylor
composer / conductor
b.1961
Gordon Goodwin
composer / conductor
b.1954
Mills arranged the standard "Stella by Starlight," on which his eloquent piano is featured, while Legg has the spotlight to himself on "Georgia on My Mind," trumpeter Randy Karon on 
Roger Neumann
saxophone, tenor
b.1941
Maynard Ferguson
trumpet
1928 - 2006
The Other one weaves a handsome portrait of a talented contemporary big band. Let's hope we don't have to wait 11 more years before another one is designed.
John Burnett Swing Orchestra
West of State Street / East of Harlem
Delmark
2009
So as not to mislead, let's describe things as they are: not the 
"
data-original-title="" title="">John Burnett Swing Orchestra, but rather the John Burnett Orchestra That Really Swings. That should give a clearer idea of what's afoot in this animated concert session. Even though there are backward glances, Burnett's 10 year old Chicago-based ensemble is by no means enmeshed in the swing era; to be more explicit, this is late-model big-band jazz that swings freely and often, and is greatly enhanced by the presence of the talented and versatile trumpeter 
Randy Sandke
trumpet
b.1949
When not leading the ensemble, Burnett, a British expat, is the morning drive-time host on WDCB Radio in DuPage County. He formed the orchestra because of his love for big-band jazz and has managed to keep the group together through good times and bad. The good times include occasions such as this, a live performance at Fitzgerald's nightclub in suburban Berwyn, home to several of the Chicago area's topmost bands. Lead alto Bob Frankich and trumpeter Mike McGrath were members of Rob Parton's no longer active JazzTech Big Band, while trombonist Dana Legg leads his own Stage Band (reviewed above).
As for the music, even such oft-saddled warhorses as "Struttin' with Some Barbecue," "One O'Clock Jump" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" are bedecked in tasteful new finery, complementing classic charts by 
Neal Hefti
trumpet
1922 - 2008
Don Menza
saxophone
b.1936
Sammy Nestico
composer / conductor
1924 - 2021Dizzy Gillespie
trumpet
1917 - 1993
Sandke is splendid on his various assignments, as are the band's own soloists, especially Frankich (clarinet on "Dolly," alto on "Love for Sale"), McGrath, alto Nick Mazarella, tenors Doug Stone and Anthony Bruno, trombonist Bryan Scott and pianist Mark Burnell. There's no doubt that Burnett leads one of the Chicago area's most impressive big bands, and this album (whose name presumably denotes the location of Fitzgerald's) captures the ensemble in marvelous form.
Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra
Muse
Creative Nation Music
2009
Muse (subtitled "Ilham") is the second recording by composer / arranger 
Ayn Inserto
composer / conductor
The formidable spirit of trombonist 
Bob Brookmeyer
trombone
1929 - 2011
George Garzone
saxophone, tenor
b.1950
Michael Brecker
saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007
Even so, it is Inserto's scintillating compositions and charts that ultimately summon and then command appreciation, starting with "Eshel Sketch," a light-hearted bow to 
Dave Eshelman
trombone
Frank Foster
saxophone
1928 - 2011
Steve Lacy
saxophone, soprano
1934 - 2004
With Muse,Ayn Inserto continues to advance from strength to strength, securely enhancing her burgeoning status as one of the country's more creative new voices among big-band composer / arrangers.
Terry Vosbein / Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
Progressive Jazz 2009
Self Published
2009
When encountering an album whose title is Progressive Jazz 2009, one question that naturally arises is, exactly how "progressive"? The answer, in this case, is progressive enough to enliven and inspire, but not progressive enough to aggravate or perplex. Composer / arranger / conductor Terry Vosbein has reinvigorated a number of heretofore overlooked themes from the creative world of 
Stan Kenton
piano
1911 - 1979
Aside from Vosbein's, the songs were arranged either by 
Pete Rugolo
composer / conductor
1915 - 2011Bob Graettinger
b.1923
As noted, this is a concert performance, and while the sound and balance are by and large admirable, there are some brief passages on "Crows" wherein the trombones seem disconnected from the rest of the orchestra, almost as if playing in another room. Otherwise, everything is keen and peachy—which also describes the orchestra and its soloists. For a regional ensemble, the KJO is remarkably accomplished, and takes to these demanding charts like ducks to water. The soloists pull their weight as well. Alto Doug Rinaldo is showcased on "Faun," trumpeter Michael Spirko on "Cuban Pastorale," trombonists Don Hough and Tom Lundberg on "Hambeth" and "Odin's Dream," respectively, with other convincing statements by saxophonists 
David King
guitar
b.1965
Tom Johnson
trombone
b.1967
Rich Willey
cornet
b.1955
Mark Boling
guitar
b.1954
This is Progressive Jazz in the best sense of the word: advanced, forward-moving and enlightening but in no wise pretentious or self-absorbed. Vosbein has chosen the music with care, and the KJO has brought it to life with dexterity and elegance. An admirable performance from end to end.
Mt. Hood Jazz Band and Combos
2nd Time Around
Sea Breeze Vista
2009
2nd Time Around is actually the sixth time around in as many years—in a recording studio—for director Susie Jones and the Mt. Hood College Jazz Band from mid-size Gresham, Oregon. This album, showcasing the Class of 2009, includes nine tracks by the larger ensemble, one each by the smaller Combo A and Combo B. As on the earlier recordings, Jones's undergrads are impressively sharp and focused.
The band enters Basie-style with pianist Manny Chester and bassist Erik Wheeler setting the stage for Hank Hirsh's "A Buck and Some Change"—congenial solos courtesy of tenor Sam Solano and alto Michelle Christiansen. There are two scurrying flag-wavers, Herbie Phillips' "An Apple for Christa," featuring Chester, tenor Luke Tarter and guitarist Solomon Thelin, A.K. Salim's Latin-style "Cannonology" (solos by trumpeter Ted Yanez, alto Ryan Carlson, trombonist J.J. Meyer) and one vocal, by sultry Liv Warfield, on 
Hoagy Carmichael
piano
1899 - 1981
Chester and Thelin are tasteful on Canadian Rick Wilkins' splendid arrangement of 
Clare Fischer
piano
1928 - 2012
Duke Ellington
piano
1899 - 1974Billy Strayhorn
piano
1915 - 1967
Ellen Rowe
pianoBilly Byers
trombone
b.1927
Paul Desmond
saxophone, alto
1924 - 1977
Wayne Shorter
saxophone
1933 - 2023
If there were any lingering doubts that Susie Jones has nourished former director Dave Barduhn's legacy by endorsing a strong jazz performance program at Mt. Hood, a few short miles from metro Portland, the Jazz Band's superb series of albums under her direction should have erased them by now. 2nd Time Around further enriches that legacy.
Positive Catastrophe
Garabatos Volume One
Cuneiform Records
2009
While far removed from a positive catastrophe, the music on Garbatos Volume 1 may be anomalous and challenging to unschooled ears. On the other hand, it no doubt sounds perfectly natural to those who are playing it, as well as to others whose sensibility is more deeply attuned to its equivocal nuances.
Taking it therefore at face value, there is much to admire, rhythmically and harmonically, even as one struggles to apprehend its specific import. All of the music is original, with five compositions and arrangements by percussionist / co-leader Abraham Gomez-Delgado, four by trumpeter / co-leader 
Taylor Ho Bynum
cornet
b.1975
Charles Mingus
bass, acoustic
1922 - 1979
"Travels," whose Parts 1-4 consume more than twenty minutes of the album's playing time, is dedicated to the late 
Sun Ra
piano
1914 - 1993
Jen Shyu
vocals
b.1978
Michael Attias
saxophone
b.1968
Those who relish the avant-garde should find Garabatos especially enjoyable, and may eagerly look forward to Volume 2, while those who prefer a more customary jazz framework will more than likely find considerably less to applaud.
Tracks and Personnel
Legendary
Tracks: Take the "A" Train; I'm All Smiles; Suicide Is Painless; Fluffy; Geezerhood; Limited Edition Express; Luci; You Must Believe in Spring; Auld Lang Syne.
Personnel: Carl Saunders, Pete DeSiena, Steve Huffsteter, Ron Stout, Larry Lunetta: trumpet; Don Shelton, Kim Richmond, Tom Peterson, Jeff Driskill, Bob Efford, Bob Carr, Rusty Higgins (6, 9): woodwinds; Alex Iles (3-6, 9), Bob McChesney, Scott Whitfield, Dave Ryan, Jacques Voyemant (1, 2, 7, 8): trombone; Craig Ware: bass trombone; Larry Koonse: guitar; Alan Broadbent: piano; Trey Henry: bass; Peter Erskine: drums.
I'm BeBoppin' Too
Tracks: I'm BeBoppin' Too; Cool Breeze; 'Round Midnight; Manteca; Birks' Works; If You Could See Me Now; Dizzy's Blues; Una Mas; I Can't Get Started; One Bass Hit; Tin Tin Deo; Lover Come Back to Me.
Personnel: Slide Hampton: music director; Frank Greene, Greg Gisbert, Claudio Roditi: trumpet; Roy Hargrove: trumpet, vocal (1); Antonio Hart, Mark Gross: alto sax, flute; James Moody: tenor sax, flute, vocal (2); Jimmy Heath: tenor sax; Jason Jackson, Steve Davis, Michael Dease: trombone; Douglas Purviance: bass trombone; Yotam Silberstein: guitar; Cyrus Chestnut: piano; John Lee: bass; Lewis Nash: drums; Roberta Gambarini: vocals.
The Other One
Tracks: I'll Take Romance; Satisfaction Guaranteed; Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive; Lonely Tears; Time After Time; Father's Day; The Other One; Georgia on My Mind; Take the "A" Train; Too Nice; Stella by Starlight; Riley's Thang; Memorial Day; Latin Reaction.
Personnel: Dana Legg: leader, trombone; Bill Calkins (2, 6-8, 10, 11, 14), Mike Stewart (1, 3-5, 9, 12, 13), Doug Schuler, Randy Karon (4-12), Terry Guynes, Ivo Braun, Marvin Davis (2, 14), Kenny Dixon (1, 3, 13): trumpet; Gary Parker: alto sax, flute; Mark Fechner, alto, baritone sax, flute; Mark Tuttle: tenor, soprano sax, flute; John Kutten: tenor sax; Mark Grudzinski: baritone, alto sax, piccolo; Dave Gross, Henry Salgado (2, 6-8, 10, 11, 14), Loren Binford (1, 3-5, 9, 12, 13), Dana Solt (1-3, 6-8, 10, 11, 13, 14), Bill Gilardon (4, 5, 9, 12), Stan Meade: trombone; Ron Mills (2, 6-8, 10, 11, 14), Mark Burnell (4, 5, 9, 12), Lou Cucunato (1, 3, 13): piano; Robert Burks (1, 3-5, 9, 12, 13), Brad Ard (2, 6-8, 10, 11, 14): guitar; Mark Sorlie: acoustic, electric bass; Debbie Katz-Knowles (1-3, 6-8, 10, 11, 13, 14), Bob Rummage (4, 5, 9, 12): drums; Colette Hazek (3): vocal. Guest artists—Mark Colby (4, 9, 12): tenor sax; Bob Centano (2): baritone sax.
West of State Street / East of Harlem
Tracks: Flight of the Foo Birds; Groovin' Hard; How Sweet It Is; Randy Sandke Introduction; A Night in Tunisia; Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere; Struttin' with Some Barbecue; Ten Cents a Dance; One O'Clock Jump; Hello Dolly; Little Jazz Boogie; Witchcraft; How Long Has This Been Going On; Sweet Georgia Brown; Begin the Beguine; April in Paris; Love for Sale.
Personnel: John Burnett: leader; Randy Sandke, Terry Connell, Mike McGrath, Greg Duncan: trumpet; Tony Pons: trumpet, vocal (10); Bob Frankich, Nick Mazarella: alto sax; Doug Stone, Anthony Bruno: tenor sax; Bruce Mack: baritone sax; Bryant Scott, Adam Gross, Dana Legg: trombone; Bill Walsh: bass trombone; Mark Burnell: piano; John Moran: guitar; Paul Martin: bass; Bill Byan: drums; Frieda Lee (6, 8): vocals.
Muse
Tracks: Eshel Sketch; A Little Brook; Vinifera; Laced with Love; Dear John; To Michael Brecker; Snow Place Like Home; Simple.
Personnel: Ayn Inserto: composer, arranger, conductor; Jeff Claassen, John Repogle, Will Caviness, Matthew Small: trumpet; Allan Chase, alto, soprano sax; Rick Stone: alto sax, clarinet, flute; Kelly Roberge, Sean Berry: tenor sax, clarinet; Brian Landrus: baritone, soprano sax, clarinet; Dave Hickok, Tim Lienhard: trombone; Jennifer Wharton: bass trombone; Mark Cocheo: guitar; Carmen Staaf: piano; Kendall Eddy: bass; Austin McMahon: drums. Special guest artist—George Garzone: tenor, soprano sax.
Progressive Jazz 2009
Tracks: Artistry in Gillespie; Afternoon of a Faun; Cuban Pastorale; Crows in Tuxedos; Walkin' by the River; Rhythms at Work; Don't Blame Me; Jumping Monkey; Johanna; Hambeth; Ahora es el Tiempo; Odin's Dream; The Real Princess.
Personnel: Terry Vosbein: guest conductor; Stewart Cox, Michael Spirko, Tom Fox, Rich Willey, Vance Thompson: trumpet; Doug Rinaldo, David King: alto sax, flute; Alan Wyatt, Will Boyd: tenor sax; Tom Johnson: baritone sax; Tom Lundberg, Don Hough, Nate Malone, Bill Huber: trombone; Brad McDougall: bass trombone; Bill Swann: piano; Mark Boling: guitar; Rusty Holloway: bass; Keith Brown: drums; David Knight: bongos.
2nd Time Around
Tracks: A Buck and Some Change; Pensativa; Georgia on My Mind; Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise; 2nd Time Around; An Apple for Christa; It Might As Well Be Spring; Take Five; Half the Fun; Cannonology; Adam's Apple.
Personnel: Susie Jones: director; Nick Nera, Ted Yanez, Jennifer Munsey, Mykel Presler: trumpet; Michelle Christiansen, Ryan Carlson: alto sax; Sam Solano, Luke Tarter: tenor sax; Craig Mack: baritone sax; J.J. Meyer, Sean Wyatt, Spencer Didlake, Jerry Stalnaker, Emily Kerridge: trombone; Sam Hirsh, Manny Chester: piano; Solomon Thelin: guitar; Erik Wheeler: bass; James Travers, Julian Emanual: drums. Combo A—Michelle Christiansen: sax; J.J. Meyer, Sean Wyatt: trombone; Shyam Ananda, Mark Roh: guitar; Jeremy Sauer: bass; Matt Farina: drums. Combo B—Ted Yanez: trumpet; Julian Emanual: sax; Yuki Inoue, Joseph Stanchfield: trombone; Alex Weinberg, Stephan Lillegard: guitar; Bryon Fanger: bass; Adam Wilburn: drums; John Hasenjaeger: percussion.
Garabatos Volume One
Tracks: Plena Organization; Travels Parts 1 & 2; Metro Mono; Plena Seguiro; Stillness / Life; Post Chordal; Plena Quicksand Monument; Revamped; Travels Parts 3 & 4; Contenido Adentro.
Personnel: Taylor Ho Bynum: cornet, flugelhorn, co-leader; Abraham Gomez-Delgado: percussion, voice, co-leader; Jen Shyu: voice, erhu; Mark Taylor: French horn, mellophone; Reut Regev: trombone, flugelbone; Matt Bauder: alto, tenor sax, clarinet; Michael Attias: baritone sax; Pete Fitzpatrick: electric guitar; Alvaro Benavides (1-4, 6, 7, 9. 10): electric bass; Keith Witty (5, 8, 9): acoustic bass; Tomas Fujiwara: drums.
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