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David Bode: Good Hang

By Jack Bowers
September 9, 2025
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Good Hang. That is not only a good name for an album but one that depicts the luminous spirit animating a splendid debut recording by New Orleans-bred composer, arranger and saxophonist

David Bode

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">David Bode's stellar nineteen-member Crescent City-based big band. From end to end, top to bottom, stem to stern or inside out, this studio session is a Good Hang by any measure one wishes to use.

That impression is nowhere more apparent than on the opening number,

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's playful "Syeeda's Flute Song," which prances merrily along on the wings of excellent work by the ensemble, a fiery trumpet duel between

Jonathan Bauer

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Jonathan Bauer and

John Zarsky

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">John Zarsky, an agile soli by the saxophone section and potent ad-libbing by trombonist

Jeff Albert

trombone
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Albert. That is the first of nine pleasurable numbers including Bode's impressive original compositions, "Cold Train Funk" and "Temporary Blindess." A group hand-clap introduces

Astor Piazzolla

bandoneon
1921 - 1992

" data-original-title="" title="">Astor Piazzolla's melodious "Libertango," and there is more of the same on "Cold Train Funk," plus a vocal chorus on the limber finale, a tasteful blend of John Lennon/Paul McCartney's "Don't Let Me Down" and "Dear Prudence." Bode arranged every number save "Libertango," which he co-arranged with trombonist Peter Gustafson.

Clarinetist

Byron Asher

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Byron Asher, trumpeter

Michael Joseph Christie

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Joseph Christie and trombonist

Ethan Santos

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Ethan Santos are the soloists on "Libertango," which leads to Bode's splendid arrangement of "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," a heartwarming ballad encompassing perceptive statements by tenor saxophonist

Ari Kohn

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Ari Kohn (whose unaccompanied coda is no less than awesome) and bassist

Calvin Morin-Martin

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Calvin Morin-Martin. Pianist

Daniel Meinecke

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Daniel Meinecke is showcased next on

Kenny Garrett

saxophone, alto
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Garrett's soulful "Happy People," whose sunny groove should leave many a listener tapping his or her toes.

Bode reaches into the world of rock for Jeff Buckley's "Lover, You Should Have Come Over," a lustrous and colorful anthem whose able soloists are Asher (this time on tenor sax) and trombonist Gustafson. The leader takes the first of his two excellent solo turns on "Cold Train Funk," which Bode says is an homage to three of his musical heroes: The Meters, John Coltrane and Johann Sebastian Bach (dig the clever Bach- like fugue that launches

Evan Oberla

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Evan Oberla's glistening trombone solo). New Orleans master drummer

James Black

drums
1940 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">James Black composed the upbeat "Monkey Puzzle," on which trumpeter Kobrin, guitarist

Eric Merchant

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Merchant and drummer

Ronan Cowan

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Ronan Cowan share solo honors.

Bode wrote the pensive "Temporary Blindness," he says, as "a meditation on how we sometimes don't notice the things that are right in front of us." Here, those things include an enchanting melody, seductive rhythms and delightful solos by Bode and flugelhornist

Matt Perronne

trumpet and vocals
b.2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Perronne. Speaking of delightful solos, Bode and the band may arguably have saved the best for last, as baritone saxophonist

Thad Scott

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Thad Scott delivers an indelible statement on "Dear Prudence/Don't Let Me Down," after which the ensemble guides the session to its sharp and radiant conclusion.

As "good hangs" are becoming ever harder to find in these days of digital access, streaming forums and AI, the arrival of a fresh one is that much more pleasurable and welcome. David Bode and his band have offered listeners the gift of one more ride, and a good one it is, a "hang" that should ensure that its allure to big-band devotees is all but irresistible.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Syeeda's Song Flute; Libertango; Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most; Happy People; Lover, You Should've Come Over; Cold Train Funk;Monkey Puzzle; Temporary Blindness; Dear Prudence / Don't Let Me Down

Personnel

David Bode

saxophone

Lori LaPatka

saxophone

Ari Kohn

woodwinds

Byron Asher

saxophone

Thad Scott

saxophone, baritone

Michael Joseph Christie

trumpet

Mike Kobrin

trumpet

Jonathan Bauer

vocals

Matt Perronne

trumpet and vocals

John Zarsky

trumpet

Peter Gustafson

trombone

Evan Oberla

trombone

Jeff Albert

trombone

Ethan Santos

trombone

Jimmy Williams

sousaphone

Eric Merchant

guitar

Daniel Meinecke

piano

Calvin Morin-Martin

bass

Ronan Cowan

drums

Album information

Title: Good Hang | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: 1718 Records LLC

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David Bode Concerts

Sep 14 Sun

David Bode Good Hang Album Release Show

The Broadside
New Orleans, LA

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