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Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra: Tenor Madness

By Jack Bowers
February 9, 2025
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Nashville-based composer, arranger and saxophonist

Ryan Middagh

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Ryan Middagh salutes apostles of the mid-range wind instrument on Tenor Madness, his second recording as leader of the Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra. Even so, there are no tenor solos after the first three of the album's half-dozen numbers, on which tenors

Don Aliquo

saxophone, soprano

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Aliquo and

Jeff Coffin

saxophone
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Coffin ("Wiley Roots"), Aliquo again ("Waiter, Make Mine Blues"), Coffin and New York luminary

Joel Frahm

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Joel Frahm—who together galvanize the album's robust title song—are featured.

While the tenors play their usual eloquent role on the other tracks, solo duties there are divided among alto

Jovan Quallo

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Jovan Quallo and pianist

Pat Coil

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Coil ("Cry Me a River"), trombonist Jeremy Wilson and Middagh himself (baritone sax) on the standard "This Time the Dream's on Me," alto

Alex Graham

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Graham and drummer

Marc Widenhofer

" data-original-title="" title="">Marc Widenhofer on Graham's forceful closer, "Wired." Besides writing the persuasive "Wiley Roots," Middagh arranged every number on the concise (37-minute) studio date.

Although her name is not listed anywhere on the album's jacket,

Jenna McLean

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Jenna McLean sings quite respectably on "Waiter, Make Mine Blues" and the

Julie London

vocals
1926 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Julie London staple "Cry Me a River," on the first of which Aliquo delivers a nimble and eloquent solo. The orchestra itself is staunch and well-rehearsed, as is true of almost every large ensemble of late, while Middagh's charts are by and large engaging albeit a step or two removed from memorable. Tenor Madness is a solid big-band outing whose brighter moments help make the entire package worth unwrapping.

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Track Listing

Wiley Roots; Waiter, Make Mine Blues; Tenor Madness; Cry Me a River; This Time the Dream��s on Me; Wired.

Personnel

Ryan Middagh

saxophone

Steve Patrick

trumpet

Tyler Jaeger

trumpet

Jeff Bailey

bass

Olivia Achcet

trumpet

Alex Graham

saxophone, alto

Jovan Quallo

saxophone, alto

Jeff Coffin

saxophone

Don Aliquo

saxophone, soprano

Joel Frahm

saxophone, tenor

Roy Agee

trombone

Martin McCain

trombone

Pat Coil

piano

Kevin Shinskie

saxophone

Jimmy Bowland

saxophone

Jonathan Salcedo

trombone

Sarah Morrow

trombone

Liam Barron

trombone

Lindsey Miller

guitar

Jenna McLean

vocals

Additional Instrumentation

Pat Coil: piano; Jake Jezioro: bass; Marc Widenhofer: drums.

Album information

Title: Tenor Madness | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Self Produced

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