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The Empire Jazz Orchestra: Out of the Mist

By Jack Bowers
February 15, 2016
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The Empire Jazz Orchestra: Out of the Mist

Out of the Mist is the sixth album (and first in a studio) recorded by the Empire Jazz Orchestra, a professional repertory ensemble founded in 1992 and in residence since then at Schenectady County (NY) Community College. While there is no comprehensive theme underlining its latest enterprise, the EJO's stated purpose is to perform music from the earliest days of jazz to its most contemporary manifestations. In that spirit, Out of the Mist embraces compositions and arrangements from

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea,

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane and

Chico O'Farrill

composer / conductor
1921 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Chico O'Farrill to

Ernie Wilkins

arranger
1922 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Ernie Wilkins,

Clare Fischer

piano
1928 - 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">Clare Fischer,

Lee Morgan

trumpet
1938 - 1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Morgan,

Johnny Richards

composer / conductor
1911 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Richards,

Duke Pearson

piano
1932 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Pearson and

Sir Charles Thompson

piano
1918 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Sir Charles Thompson (whose jazz standard "Robbins' Nest" was arranged by

Gil Evans

composer / conductor
1912 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Evans). To add fuel to the fire, the orchestra has enlisted the services of the outstanding Latin-based trumpeter

Ray Vega

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Vega, a veteran of bands led by

Tito Puente

drums
1923 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Tito Puente,

Mario Bauza

trumpet
1911 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Mario Bauza,

Mongo Santamaria

percussion
1917 - 2003

" data-original-title="" title="">Mongo Santamaria and many others.

Vega springs into action immediately, soloing sharply on Pearson's handsome arrangement of Corea's "Tones for Jones Bones," and is heard to good effect later on Morgan's lyrical charmer "The Joker" (arranged by Rob Lussier) and O'Farrill's arrangement of the enchanting standard "Tenderly" (complete with ardent Latin midsection). Two more venerable standards, "Old Devil Moon" and "Makin' Whoopee" (both neatly scored by Jim Corigliano, who also wrote the well-grooved "Walkin' the Dog") are capably sung by Colleen Pratt. Alto saxophonist

Keith Pray

saxophone
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Pray authored the agile "Blues for P.G." (

Paul Gonsalves

saxophone, tenor
1920 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Gonsalves), arranged Coltrane's zestful "Giant Steps" and is showcased on Wilkins' "Geller's Cellar," a sunny theme that has undergone a number of name changes (for

Lanny Morgan

saxophone
b.1934

" data-original-title="" title="">Lanny Morgan, it was "Morgan's Organ"; for

Glenn Kostur

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Glenn Kostur, "Glenn's Den," and so on).

Trumpeter

Steve Lambert

trumpet
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Lambert, tenor

Brian Patneaude

saxophone
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Patneaude and drummer

Bob Halek

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Halek shine on "Giant Steps," Patneaude and fellow tenor

Kevin Barcomb

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Barcomb on "Blues for P.G." Patneaude and Lambert are front and center again on Richards' "Out of the Mist," Corigliano (clarinet) and pianist Cliff Brucker on "Robbins' Nest," guitarist

Mike Novakowski

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Novakowski and trumpeter Jon Bronk on "Walkin' the Dog." Soloists are admirable, the rhythm section (anchored by Halek) unflappable, the ensemble as a whole sagacious and self-assured. An agreeable hour of high-caliber big-band jazz.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Tones for Joan��s Bones; Geller��s Cellar; Out of the Mist; Strayhorn; The Joker; Old Devil Moon; Tenderly; Walkin�� the Dog; Giant Steps; Robbins�� Nest; Makin�� Whoopee; Blues for P.G.

Personnel

William Meckley

William Meckley: music director; Jon Bronk: trumpet; Scott Thompson: trumpet; Terry Gordon: trumpet; Peter Bellino: trumpet; Steve Lambert: trumpet; Keith Pray: alto, soprano sax, flute, clarinet; Jim Corigliano: alto sax, flute, clarinet; Kevin Barcomb: tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet; Brian Patneaude: tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet; Brett Wery: baritone sax, clarinet, bass clarinet; Ben O��Shea: trombone; Garry Barrow: trombone; Ken DeRagon: trombone; Dan Cordell: bass trombone, tuba; Meghan Barrow: horn; Susan Wheeler: horn; Mike Novakowski: guitar; Cliff Brucker: piano; Otto Gardner: bass; Bob Halek: drums; Mark Foster: percussion; Colleen Pratt: vocals. Special guest soloist �C Ray Vega: trumpet (1, 5, 7).

Album information

Title: Out of the Mist | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Self Produced

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