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Dan Bonsanti and the 14 Jazz Orchestra: Islands

By Nicholas F. Mondello
August 6, 2023
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Dan Bonsanti and the 14 Jazz Orchestra: Islands

"Islands" from

Dan Bonsanti

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Bonsanti is a tour de force consisting of eleven unique selections, colorful textured arrangements, and outstanding ensemble and solo playing. The fare includes straight-ahead bop, to calypso, film and fusion, all presented by a highly-energized ensemble of Miami-affiliated greats and guest greats.

The opener,

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner's "Man from Tanganyika" is an ultra-rhythmic grabber, offering fine solos and polyrhythmic burn. "Islands," from

Mike Mainieri

vibraphone
b.1938

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Mainieri's pen, is a catchy, upbeat calypso with an extravagant middle section. "Bud Powell," is a certified bebop stroller from

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea, featuring solos from Ed Maina, Jason Carder and Mike Levine. Levine's composed "Part of Me" is a slick "All of Me" clone contemporized with the ensemble contrapuntally stating.

The arrangements from Bonsanti, Mike Levine, and the late Tom Boras are colorful without being overly complicated. They are such that the group sounds larger than it really is. The writers have a wizard's touch in terms of pairings, orchestrated textures, and combinations. Woodwinds mingle and marry with other sections in colors galore. The ensemble, while recorded remotely, is tight and buys into the session with obvious delight. Miami sax legend Ed Calle gets featured solo billing and, as expected of this master, delivers the goods. There are other great solo standouts here, including trumpeter Jason Carder, Mike Manieri, and Mark Levine. The various rhythm sections sparkle, with guests Peter Erskine and Will Lee chiming in.

Levine's "Carmencita" is a darker, faster Latin groove with blue fire and a fine piano solo.

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny's "Missouri Uncompromised" flitters speedily with vibes and flute handling melodic honors. "Jitterbug Waltz," from the Fats Waller canon, is a reed doublers' playground. Bass revolutionary

Jaco Pastorius

bass, electric
1951 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Jaco Pastorius is saluted here eponymously with a ? blue-ish statement on "Jaco." The ballad "Some Other Time" is a trumpet feature tastefully played by Jason Carder. "Loft Dance" is a wild Afro-Cuban head-shaker from

Dave Liebman

saxophone
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Liebman who guests. Randy Newman's folksy "When She Loved Me" with Lindsay Blair's guitar spotlit, closes the session in elegant style.

"Islands" is a most satisfying album of highly diverse grooves and textures from leader Bonsanti and his cadre of superb musicians and arrangers.

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Track Listing

Man from Tanganyika, Islands, Bud Powell, Part of Me, Carmencita, Missouri Uncompromised, Jitterbug Waltz, Jaco, Some Other Time, Loft Dance, When She Loved Me.

Personnel

Dan Bonsanti

composer / conductor

Ed Calle

saxophone

Ed Maina

woodwinds

Peter Brewer

saxophone, tenor

Mike Brignola

saxophone, baritone

Brett Murphey

trumpet

Jason Carder

trumpet

John Lovell

trumpet

Dana Teboe

trombone

Major Bailey

trombone

Mike Levine

piano

Lindsey Blair

guitar

Additional Instrumentation

Ed Calle: Soprano sax, flute; Peter Brewer: flute, clarinet; Mike Brignola: flutes, bass clarinet; Dave Liebman: soprano sax (10) Ed Maina: flute; Peter Erskine: drums (1,2,6); Lee Levin: drums (4,5,8,10,11); Mike Harvey: drums (3,7,9); Richard Bravo: percussion (2,4,5,10); Joe Davidian: piano (10); Randy Bernsen: acoustic guitar (8); Mark Egan: electric bass ((6,11); Will Lee: electric bass (8); Nicky Orta: e;ectric bass (5,10); Tim Smith: electric bass (2); Jamie Ousley: acoustic bass (3,4,7,9); Dennis Marks: acoustic bass (1); Mike Manieri: vibes (2,6);

Album information

Title: Islands | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self-produced

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