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The DIVA Jazz Orchestra: Special Kay!

By Jack Bowers
May 18, 2016
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WOW!

No, it is definitely not advisable to open a review with an unequivocal superlative (for one thing, it sort of gives the game away, doesn't it?). But on Special Kay!, its ninth impressive album in twenty-four years, DIVA—the gold standard among all-female big bands since its inception—really gives a commentator no reasonable choice. Simply put, this is a mind-blowing live performance at the Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek, NY, that electrifies and satisfies from start to finish.

Perhaps one reason for the inspired endeavor is that the "Kay" in Special Kay! symbolizes Stanley Kay, a drummer-turned-talent manager (and entertainment director for the New York Yankees) who in 1990 approached another drummer,

Sherrie Maricle

drums
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Sherrie Maricle, with the idea of forming an all-woman band. Two years later, DIVA made its widely-praised debut, and the rest, as they say, is history. Kay remained a driving force behind the orchestra until his passing in June 2010. Now, some six years later, DIVA pays tribute to its fallen leader by performing ten of his admirable compositions, several of which had never before been recorded. To underscore its import, Special Kay! marks the first time DIVA has ever produced an album of all-original themes.

Among Kay's clients was the renowned tap-dancing trio Hines, Hines & Dad, and he wrote the flamboyant opener, "Did You Do That?" for Maurice and Gregory Hines' mother, Alma, who often asked that question after an especially intricate dance routine. The irrepressible barn-burner features a blistering duel between tenors

Roxy Coss

saxophone, tenor
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Roxy Coss and

Janelle Reichman

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Janelle Reichman who moves to clarinet to solo with trumpeter

Tanya Darby

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Tanya Darby on the strapping yet melodious "Nothin,'" trimly arranged by bassist

Noriko Ueda

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Noriko Ueda. All trumpets are muted (and all solo) on "To Sweets with Love," Kay's loping homage to trumpeter

Harry "Sweets" Edison

trumpet
1915 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Harry "Sweets" Edison, which precedes another brisk flag-waver, "Where's the Food?," a question Kay always insisted was the first one asked by band members at every gig. Emphatic solos courtesy of baritone

Lisa Parrott

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Lisa Parrott, trombonist

Deborah Weisz

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Deborah Weisz and pianist

Tomoko Ohno

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Tomoko Ohno.

So far, an avalanche of exhilarating big-band jazz, and we haven't even reached the halfway mark. Ohno and trombonist Jennifer Krupa are front and center on the seductive "Give Me Your Love," altos

Leigh Pilzer

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Leigh Pilzer and

Sharel Cassity

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Sharel Cassity on

Scott Whitfield

trombone
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Whitfield's snappy arrangement of the fast-moving "How Ya Doin'?" Reichman (clarinet), Krupa (muted) and trumpeter

Jami Dauber

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Jami Dauber (also muted) brighten

John J. DiMartino

drums
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">John J. DiMartino's swinging arrangement of "You Made a Mistake," after which Maricle assumes command on "The Brush Off," written especially for her by Kay to showcase her remarkable dexterity with brushes. "Special Kay," a charming bossa arranged by Ueda on which Cassity (flute) and trumpeter

Barbara Laronga

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Barbara Laronga shine, leads to the roaring finale, "Three Sisters and a Cousin," Kay's answer to

Jimmy Giuffre

clarinet
1921 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Giuffre's "Four Brothers" and the first chart ever written by him for DIVA. As one would surmise, the saxophones are ascendant, with volcanic solos by all hands.

Maricle closes the concert, appropriately, by exclaiming "We love you, Stanley Kay!" It's a love that is self-evident in almost every measure of this sensational album, arguably the pinnacle in a long line of splendid recordings by this prodigious orchestra, and one that is indeed Special in every way. Five stars all around: for concept, arrangements, execution, aerial balancing without a net, and especially for an abundance of ardor and esprit de corps.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Did You Do That?; Nothin��; To Sweets with Love; Where��s the Food?; Give Me Your Love; How Ya Doin��?; You Made a Mistake; The Brush Off; Special Kay; Three Sisters and a Cousin.

Personnel

Sherrie Maricle

drums

Sherrie Maricle: music director, drums; Tanya Darby: trumpet; Jami Dauber: trumpet; Carol Morgan: trumpet; Barbara Laronga: trumpet; Sharel Cassity: alto sax, flute; Leigh Pilzer: alto sax, flute; Janelle Reichman: tenor sax, clarinet; Roxy Coss: tenor sax, clarinet; Lisa Parrott: baritone sax; Deborah Weisz: trombone; Jennifer Krupa: trombone; Leslie Havens: bass trombone; Tomoko Ohno: piano; Noriko Ueda: bass.

Album information

Title: Special Kay! | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Diva Records

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