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The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra: Strength in Numbers

By Jack Bowers
April 14, 2014
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The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra: Strength in Numbers

For the second album as leader of his jazz orchestra, New York-based

Pete McGuinness

arranger
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Pete McGuinness says he has "returned to [his] roots," fashioning a series of dapper themes that embody his forward-looking point of view while swinging in the grand tradition of such legendary ensembles as Basie, Herman,

Thad Jones

trumpet
1923 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Thad Jones and others. When someone like

Bill Holman

composer / conductor
- 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Holman says (as he does) "wonderful writing," the tendency is to sit up and take notice. One keynote that's immediately clear is that Holman is, as usual, spot on, and that McGuinness ranks high among the jazz world's most skillful contemporary composer / arrangers, one who doubles on trombone and trebles as band singer (more about that anon).

Without sacrificing any of his deeply personal convictions, McGuinness has managed to produce an album that should appeal to those who savor music that is shrewd and sophisticated as well as to others who lean toward buoyancy and power. That's no easy task, and there aren't many bands or bandleaders who could make it work. McGuinness does so by blending big-band dynamism with structural finesse, as on his engaging bows to Basie ("The Swagger"), Jones ("Nasty Blues") and especially friend and mentor

Bob Brookmeyer

trombone
1929 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Brookmeyer ("The Send-Off"). His deft use of harmony and color is everywhere exceptional. Among the other highlights is McGuinness' clever arrangement of Stephen Foster's ballad "Beautiful Dreamer," recast as a snappy samba that underscores intrepid solos by soprano saxophonist

Dave Pietro

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Pietro and pianist

Mike Holober

piano
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Holober.

McGuinness wrote the lyrical "Trixie's Little Girl" for his late mother, the Latin-tempered "Spellbound" as an homage (no kidding) to Claude Debussy and

Billy Strayhorn

piano
1915 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Strayhorn. McGuinness' expressive trombone is showcased on the graceful "Bittersweet," as it is on "Trixie's Little Girl." Other soloists (all splendid) are trombonists

Mark Patterson

trombone
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Patterson and

Matt Haviland

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Haviland, tenors

Tom Christensen

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Christensen and

Jason Rigby

saxophone, tenor
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Rigby, baritone Dave Reikenberg, bass trombonist Jeff Nelson, alto Marc Phaneuf, trumpeters Chris Rogers and

Bill Mobley

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Mobley, bassist

Andy Eulau

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Andy Eulau and drummer

Scott Neumann

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Neumann. The three remaining numbers (or two, as the standard "You Don't Know What Love Is" is repeated in a shorter "radio version") are the ones on which McGuinness sings, and the most courteous observation that can be made is that one of the perks of leading a big band is that you can sing if you want to and no one will demur. That's not to say that you should. Aside from those minor missteps, however, Strength in Numbers is entirely pleasurable and persuasive.

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Track Listing

The Send-Off; What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?; Trixie��s Little Girl; The Swagger; Beautiful Dreamer; Spellbound; You Don��t Know What Love Is; Nasty Blues; Bittersweet; You Don��t Know What Love Is (radio version).

Personnel

Pete McGuinness

arranger

Pete McGuinness: composer, arranger, leader, trombone, vocals (2, 7, 10); Jon Owens: trumpet; Tony Kadlek: trumpet; Bill Mobley: trumpet; Chris Rogers: trumpet; Dave Pietro: alto, soprano sax, flute; Marc Phaneuf: alto sax, flute; Tom Christensen: tenor sax, flute; Jason Rigby: tenor, soprano sax, clarinet; Dave Reikenberg: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Bruce Eidem: trombone; Mark Patterson: trombone; Matt Haviland: trombone; Jeff Nelson: bass trombone; Mike Holober: piano; Andy Eulau: bass; Scott Neumann: drums.

Album information

Title: Strength in Numbers | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Summit Records

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