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Dan Bonsanti: Cartoon Bebop

By Jack Bowers
February 9, 2021
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The malicious coronavirus pandemic that brought most of the world to its knees in 2020 has spawned the use of several reanimated words including "virtual," whose meaning is "sort of here but not really," as in virtual video chats, conference calls, exhibits, films and even musical performances. "Virtual" has spread its tentacles into almost every walk of life including jazz, via YouTube and other creative channels. And now, it seems, to big bands as well. Cartoon Bebop, the third album by

Dan Bonsanti

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Bonsanti's Florida-based The 14 Jazz Orchestra, was literally spliced together using musicians who were plugged in to the central recording booth from at-home studios in Arizona, California, Maine, New Jersey, Tennessee, Wisconsin and various Florida locales.

So how does this "virtual" big band perform? In a word, seamlessly. The opinion here is that if a listener hadn't been forewarned, there is no way he or she could ascertain that the ensemble wasn't performing as a single unit in one studio. Even the most arduous passages, such as those on

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea's mercurial "Got a Match?" pose no problem for Bonsanti's mega-self-distancing maestros. Given the unavoidable disparities in time zones and geography, rehearsals must have been loads of fun. In any case, Cartoon Bebop could serve as a guidepost for other large bands who may have been discussing the pros and cons of embarking on such a daunting enterprise. The message is, it can be done, and done well.

It does help, however, to have a seasoned trail boss like Bonsanti rustling the herd. Besides rounding up the musicians and dealing with what must have been its labyrinthine logistics, he wrote the album's opening and closing themes and arranged or co-arranged every one of its eleven numbers. His labors bear fruit immediately on the playful opener, "Cartoon Bebop," wherein

Peter Erskine

drums
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Erskine keeps time (impeccably, as always) from Los Angeles while

Jason Carder

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Carder "phones in" his trumpet solo from Arizona,

Ed Maina

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Maina his alto solo from Tennessee. Meanwhile, the ensemble decisively nails the Rocky & Bullwinkle-inspired theme and tenor

Ed Calle

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Calle weighs in with a zesty solo of his own. Erskine mans the drum kit again on "Wood Dance," Corea's "Duende" and

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's "Infant Eyes." Carder and Maina solo (with pianist

Mike Levine

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Levine) on

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock's "Driftin,'" Maina (flute) on "I'm All Smiles" and (piccolo) on "Got a Match?," Calle on

Stanley Clarke

bass
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Stanley Clarke's "Dayride," "Duende," "A Day Tripper's Blues Buffet," "Got a Match?" and (on soprano) "Misturada." Pianist Levine is showcased on "Wood Dance," tenor Calle (clearly Bonsanti's go-to guy) on "When I Look in Your Eyes." Others who quicken the ear are pianist

Kemuel Roig

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Kemuel Roig and trumpeter

Cisco Dimas

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Cisco Dimas ("Misturada"), bassist

Nicky Orta

bass, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicky Orta and drummer

Lee Levin

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Levin ("Got a Match?"), guitarist

Randy Bernsen

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Bernsen ("Infant Eyes") and a second Bonsanti, oboist Neal ("Duende"). The orchestra's other "out-of-towners" included trumpeter

Brett Murphey

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Brett Murphey (Wisconsin), trombonist

Dana Teboe

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Dana Teboe (Maine) and tenor

Tommy Timko

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Tommy Timko (New Jersey).

Aside from his own compositions, Bonsanti writes that the songs on Cartoon Bebop are among his favorites, chosen after hours of listening to music "across a wide spectrum of styles" for tunes that could "stand up to repeated listening." Corea, Hancock and Shorter are safe choices, and "Got a Match?" is among the highlights. As to the rest, the songs are above par but a touch short of memorable. "Misturada," a new melody in this neighborhood, is certainly a plus, as are "Dayride," "Duende" and "Driftin.'" Bonsanti's superlative charts clearly strengthen the cause, and the way in which the album was assembled must be applauded. Not quite a five-star enterprise but close enough to earn an unreserved endorsement.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Cartoon Bebop; Mistruda; Day Ride; I'm All Smiles; Got A Match; Driftin'; Wood Dance; When I Look In You Eyes; Duende; Infant Eyes; A Day Tripper's Blues Buffet.

Personnel

Dan Bonsanti

composer / conductor

Ed Maina

woodwinds

Ed Calle

saxophone

Neal Bonsanti

oboe

Tommy Timko

woodwinds

Peter Brewer

saxophone, tenor

Peter Erskine

drums

Lee Levin

drums

Mike Harvey

drums

Jack Ciano

drums

Mike Levine

piano

Lindsey Blair

guitar

Randy Bernsen

guitar

Mark Egan

bass

Tim Smith

bass

Nicky Orta

bass, electric

Jamie Ousley

bass

Matt Bonelli

bass, acoustic

Jason Carder

trumpet

Cisco Dimas

trumpet

Additional Instrumentation

Brett Murphy: trumpet; Major Bailey: trombones; Richard Bravo: percussion; Kemuel Roig: keyboard.

Album information

Title: Cartoon Bebop | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Self Produced

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