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The 14 Jazz Orchetra: Nothing Hard is Ever Easy

By Edward Blanco
October 31, 2015
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The 14 Jazz Orchetra: Nothing Hard is Ever Easy

Under the direction of arranger/conductor and educator

Dan Bonsanti

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Bonsanti, The 14 Jazz Orchestra delivers its debut recording with Nothing Hard Is Ever Easy presenting a repertoire of contemporary jazz containing and offering of mainstream, fusion, pop, gospel-styled and classical-tinged elements that make this first effort, one varied musical statement. This fourteen-piece light ensemble is comprised of the finest professionals and educators from the South Florida area—all alumni of the prestigious Frost School of Music from the University of Miami—performing in Miami and throughout Southern Florida since October of 2013.

While boasting an A-list of players, the band is augmented by three special guest which include bassists

Will Lee

bass
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Will Lee and

Mark Egan

bass
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Egan as well as drummer

Marko Marcinko

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Marko Marcinko—all UM attendees as well. Though Bonsanti provides the arrangements for the selection of the recording, the music opens up with a muscular version of the

Clare Fischer

piano
1928 - 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">Clare Fischer arrangement of

Billy Strayhorn

piano
1915 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Strayhorn's classic "U.M.M.G." featuring splendid solo moments from

Ed Maina

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Maina on the alto, trombonist

Dante Luciani

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Dante Luciani and pianist

Jim Gasior

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Gasior.

Bonsanti—who also provided arrangements for the Jaco Pastorius Big Band—pays tribute to the spirit of the late renegade bassist by including a couple of tracks with which he is associated with particularly,

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's "Palladium," recalling the bassists contribution to the tune when playing with the jazz fusion group Weather Report and this rousing treatment of Pastorious' dedication to his children "John and Mary," featuring Gasior,

Ed Calle

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Calle on soprano and Matt Bonelli on bass.

One of the stand out tunes on the disc is

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson's "Black Narcissus," with Calle on a sprite tenor saxophone,

Jack Ciano

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack Ciano on the drums and Gasior again on the keys and the entire band providing an exceptional rendition of the old classic. The contemporary sound continues with nice reads of

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee (In Disguise)," and

Don Grolnick

piano
1947 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Grolnick's "Pools" before the band ventures into different territory with a bluesy take of the pop classic "Hit The Road Jack" and a Gospel-styled romp of the

Tommy Dorsey

trombone
1905 - 1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Tommy Dorsey piece "Take My Hand Precious Lord" featuring spirited solos from trumpeter

Ray Chicalo

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Chicalo and baritone saxophonist Peter Brewer.

Saxophonist Calle and guest artist bassist Will Lee, provide the solo moments on Bonsanti-arranged jazz version of

Paul McCartney

bass, electric
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul McCartney's hit song "With A Little Help from My Friends."

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea's beautiful waltz "Windows' and guitarist

John Scofield

guitar
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">John Scofield's funky-flavored "You're Under Arrest" closes out the session leaving one wanting a tad more from this impressive ensemble. Nothing Hard is Ever Easy is not only a common phrase we are all familiar with, it just also happens to be a spectacular musical articulation of contemporary big band jazz with an exclamation point. Kudos to band leader Dan Bonsanti and his amazing cast of players for providing one heck of a performance and testament to their unquestioned steller musicianship.

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Track Listing

U.M.M.G.; Palladium; John and Mary; Black Narcissus; Donna Lee (In Disguise); Pools; Hit The Road Jack; Take My Hand Precious Lord; With A Little Help From My Friends; Windows; You're Under Arrest.

Personnel

The 14 Jazz Orchetra

Dan Bonsanti: conductor, synthesizer bass (5); Ed Maina: alto saxophone, flute; Ed Calle: tenor saxophone, soprano; Neal Bonsanti: tenor saxophone; Peter Brewer: baritone saxophone; Stephen Reid: trumpet; Cisco Dimas: trumpet; Ray Chicalo: trumpet; Dante Luciano: trombone; Major Bailey: trombone; Jim Gasior: piano, keyboards; Tom Lippincott: guitar; Matt Bonelli: bass; Jack Ciano: drums; Will Lee: bass (9); Mark Eagan: bass (10); Marko Marcinko: drums (5, 6, 11).

Album information

Title: Nothing Hard is Ever Easy | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced

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