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Dave Slonaker Big Band: Intrada

By Jack Bowers
March 28, 2014
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Don't be put off by the name. Intrada, composer / arranger

Dave Slonaker

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Slonaker points out, is "a musical form often composed as a prelude, overture or fanfare," one whose upbeat phrases give rise to an exhilarating curtain-raiser on Slonaker's initial big-band recording. Rest assured this is a world-class ensemble and there's no doubt whose steady hand is at the helm: Slonaker wrote every number save the standard "It's Only a Paper Moon" and arranged the complete package.

If Slonaker's name is new to you, that's probably because he has spent much of his career as a composer, arranger and orchestrator in films and television. Film credits include Spider-Man, Air Force One, Oz the Great and Powerful, Alice in Wonderland and A Night at the Museum, and he has written for the TV series J.A.G., Murder She Wrote and others. Slonaker has also taught at USC and the Eastman School of Music, while his jazz works have been performed by

Clark Terry

trumpet
1920 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Clark Terry, the

Woody Herman

band / ensemble / orchestra
1913 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Woody Herman and

Count Basie

piano
1904 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Count Basie orchestras, and many others.

All of which leads to this consistently impressive album in which Slonaker's vibrant and graceful themes are precisely and eloquently animated by a phalanx of the Los Angeles area's most talented and sought-after musicians. Noteworthy c.v. aside, it's clear from the outset that Slonaker has a jazz musician's soul and a sure command of the music's language and history. His music is contemporary in the best sense of the word, harmonically sophisticated yet always accessible thanks to an unswerving reliance on time-honored melodies and rhythms. In other words, this is big-band jazz that quickens the pulse, swings hard and enhances the tradition.

"Intrada" and "Paper Moon" are followed by eight more of Slonaker's inspired compositions, each of which provides a malleable springboard for the ensemble's resourceful soloists. Those who rise to the occasion include saxophonists

Bob Sheppard

saxophone, tenor
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Sheppard,

Adam Schroeder

saxophone, baritone
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Schroeder and

Rob Lockart

clarinet

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob Lockart; trumpeters

Clay Jenkins

trumpet
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Clay Jenkins and

Ron Stout

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Stout, trombonists

Bob McChesney

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob McChesney and

Alex Iles

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Iles, bass trombonist

Bill Reichenbach

drums
1923 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Reichenbach, pianist

Ed Czach

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Czach, bassist

Edwin Livingston

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Edwin Livingston and drummer par excellence

Peter Erskine

drums
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Erskine. There's no point in singling out any particular song for immoderate praise, as every one is outstanding, as is the ensemble.

The same can be said for Intrada itself, a splendid debut by an extraordinary musician who it is hoped will devote even more of his time to leading a band. Well done!

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Intrada; It��s Only a Paper Moon; Nite Lites; Nowhere Is a Sometime Thing; Point of Departure; Timelessness; Labyrinth Suite, Part 1 (Labyrinth); Labyrinth Suite, Part 2 (Flight Time); If and Only If; Remembering.

Personnel

Dave Slonaker

composer / conductor

Wayne Bergeron

trumpet

Dan Fornero

trumpet

Rick Baptist

trumpet

Clay Jenkins

trumpet

Ron Stout

trumpet

Bob Sheppard

saxophone, tenor

Brian Scanlon

trumpet

Rob Lockart

clarinet

Tom Luer

clarinet, bass

Adam Schroeder

saxophone, baritone

Alex Iles

trombone

Bob McChesney

trombone

Charlie Morillas

trombone

Ed Czach

piano

Edwin Livingston

bass

Peter Erskine

drums

Wayne Bergeron: trumpet, flugelhorn; Dan Fornero: trumpet, flugelhorn (1-4, 7, 8, 10); Rick Baptist: trumpet, flugelhorn (5, 6, 9); Clay Jenkins: trumpet, flugelhorn; Ron Stout: trumpet, flugelhorn; Bob Sheppard: alto, soprano sax, flute, clarinet; Brian Scanlon: alto sax, flute, piccolo, clarinet; Rob Lockart: tenor sax, clarinet; Tom Luer: tenor sax, clarinet; Adam Schroeder: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Alex Iles: trombone; Bob McChesney: trombone; Charlie Morillas: trombone; Bill Reichenbach: bass trombone, bass trumpet.

Album information

Title: Intrada | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Origin Records

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