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Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra: Mad Scientist Music

By Jack Bowers
April 7, 2025
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Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra: Mad Scientist Music

Trombonist

Ben Patterson

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Patterson's high-powered Jazz Orchestra from the Washington, D.C. area returns virtually intact from 2024's well-received Groove Junkies (Origin Records) with another bold and hard-hitting session that is all but guaranteed to please anyone whose musical antenna leans toward fresh and exciting big-band jazz. Its title, Mad Scientist Music, coined by Harry Schnipper, owner of the D.C. jazz club Blues Alley, is one that was readily adopted by Patterson, who agreed that his office is akin to a mad scientist's laboratory where he "creates things that will eventually have a life of their own," much like the more well-known albeit notorious Dr. Victor Frankenstein.

The first of Patterson's creations is the flag-waving "We're Back Baby!," chock-full of the sort of rip-roaring ensemble work and brass-heavy explosions that would have made

Stan Kenton

piano
1911 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Stan Kenton or

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich smile. Guitarist

Shawn Purcell

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Shawn Purcell and trumpeter

Luke Brandon

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Luke Brandon share solo space on "We're Back," as do pianist

Chris Ziemba

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Ziemba, alto saxophonist

Mike Cemprola

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Cemprola, percussionist

Fran Vielma

bongos
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Fran Vielma and drummer

Todd Harrison

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Todd Harrison on the similarly assertive "Misinformation Age" (wherein

Emily Davies

" data-original-title="" title="">Emily Davies adds a trim, wordless vocal). Unlike Junkies, whose every number was lively and upbeat, Mad Scientist includes two ballads—both written for Patterson's wife, Anne Marie—the first of which is the melodic "Always," featuring baritone saxophonist

Doug Morgan

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Doug Morgan and the orchestra's superb brass section.

Patterson's fondness for a funky groove is most evident on the brisk and flexible "Mixup," whose eloquent ad- libbers are trombonist

Kevin Cerovich

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Cerovich, trumpeters Brandon and

Alec Aldred

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Alec Aldred and tenors

Tedd Baker

saxophone, tenor
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Tedd Baker and

Xavier Perez

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Xavier Perez. Patterson delivers the first of two impressive solos on the second ballad, "Anne Marie," deftly using his horn to impart love and admiration. That leads to the bright and persuasive closer, "Just 'Cuz," on which Patterson solos again with Aldred, Cemprola and Harrison.

Patterson, an alumnus of the Air Force's flagship jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note, ensured the orchestra's primacy by recruiting no less than seven of AON's on-duty personnel along with several alumni to serve as its nucleus. Having done that, Patterson could rest assured that his unique "creations" were in the best of hands, a premise that is borne out time and again on Mad Scientist Music, a big-band tour de force from start to finish.

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Track Listing

We're Back, Baby!; The Misinformation Age; Always; The Mixup; Anne Marie; Just 'Cuz.

Personnel

Ben Patterson

trombone

Antonio Orta

saxophone, alto

Mike Cemprola

saxophone, alto

Tedd Baker

saxophone, tenor

Xavier Perez

saxophone, tenor

Doug Morgan

saxophone, baritone

Brian MacDonald

trumpet

Kevin Burns

trumpet

Luke Brandon

trumpet

Alec Aldred

trumpet

Kevin Cerovich

trombone

Dave Perkel

trombone

Ben Polk

trombone, bass

Shawn Purcell

guitar

Chris Ziemba

piano

Paul Henry

bass

Todd Harrison

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Emily Davies: vocals; Fran Vielma: percussion; Bill Mulligan: flute & clarinet.

Album information

Title: Mad Scientist Music | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Origin Records

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