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Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra: The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra

By Jack Bowers
September 12, 2022
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Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra: The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra

The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra, co-led by pianist/composer

Steven Feifke

piano
b.1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Steven Feifke and trumpeter par excellence

" data-original-title="" title="">Bijon Watson, is a seventeen-member ensemble comprising seasoned players paired with young lions who are poised to capture pride of place. Nowhere do the leaders say who is in which group, and it would be impolitic to name them here. Suffice to say that some of the names may be more familiar than others—as, for example, trombonist

John Fedchock

trombone
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">John Fedchock who cut his teeth with one of

Woody Herman

band / ensemble / orchestra
1913 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Woody Herman's last Herds, leads a splendid big band of his own in New York City and has performed with a who's who of jazz luminaries for more than forty years.

That's one down, sixteen to go. Well, two down, actually, as singer

Kurt Elling

vocals
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Kurt Elling, a two-time Grammy Award winner, certainly needs no introduction to knowledgeable jazz fans. Fedchock is showcased on Feifke's brash and colorful "Scenes from My Dreams," Elling on "Sassy" (a full-throated, rap-like salute to

Sarah Vaughan

vocals
1924 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Sarah Vaughan) and Sting's ardent "Until." A fast-rising star, guest tenor saxophonist

Chad LB

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Chad LB, starts the ball rolling (after Feifke's sparkling intro) on the pianist's impetuous "I Got Algorithm," leading to heated exchanges with fellow tenor

Tom Luer

clarinet, bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Luer and a vigorous solo by trumpeter

Mike Rodriguez

trumpet
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Rodriguez. "Sassy" is next, followed by

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson's powerful "Inner Urge" (solos by alto

Alexa Tarantino

saxophone, alto
b.1992

" data-original-title="" title="">Alexa Tarantino, baritone

Lauren Sevian

saxophone, baritone
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Lauren Sevian and drummer

Ulysses Owens, Jr.

drums
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Ulysses Owens, Jr.) and "Until."

Watson, the orchestra's lead trumpet, sets the melodic compass on the ballad "Remember Me," while guitarist

Will Brahm

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Will Brahm adds an ardent solo.

Hugh Masakela

" data-original-title="" title="">Hugh Masakela's "Dollar's Moods," inspired by pianist

Dollar Brand

" data-original-title="" title="">Dollar Brand (a.k.a.

Abdullah Ibrahim

piano
b.1934

" data-original-title="" title="">Abdullah Ibrahim), is an infectious swinger featuring superb work by the sax section and spirited solos by Feifke and guest trumpeter

Sean Jones

trumpet
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Sean Jones, while

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver's well-traveled "Nica's Dream" shines brightly behind crisp statements by Watson, Feifke and Owens. That sets the stage for the album's dazzling finale, Feifke's fast-moving "Blues in a Second," wherein the entire trumpet section (Watson, Rodriguez,

Tanya Darby

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Tanya Darby,

Danny Jonokuchi

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Danny Jonokuchi, guest Jones) slams one out of the park.

Regardless of any age discrepancy within its ranks, the GGJO is a truly remarkable ensemble, and its debut album (the hope is that many more will follow) is sharp and radiant from start to finish. As to listeners, may they never be too young—or too old—to appreciate high-caliber jazz that swings as hard and as often as this.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

I��ve Got Algorithm; Sassy; Inner Urge; Until; Scenes from My Dreams; Remember Me; Dollar��s Moods; Nica��s Dream; Blues in a Second.

Personnel

Steven Feifke

piano

Bijon Watson

trumpet

Chad LB

saxophone, tenor

Kurt Elling

vocals

Sean Jones

trumpet

Tanya Darby

trumpet

Mike Rodriguez

trumpet

Danny Jonokuchi

trumpet

Alexa Tarantino

saxophone, alto

Christopher McBride

saxophone, alto

Thomas Luer

saxophone, tenor

Roxy Coss

saxophone, tenor

Lauren Sevian

saxophone, baritone

John Fedchock

trombone

Javier Nero

trombone

Kalia Vandever

trombone

Jennifer Wharton

trombone, bass

Will Brahm

guitar

Dan Chmielinski

bass

Ulysses Owens, Jr.

drums

Album information

Title: The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Cellar Music Group

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