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Andy Farber and His Orchestra: This Could Be the Start of Something Big

By Woodrow Wilkins
November 12, 2010
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Andy Farber and His Orchestra: This Could Be the Start of Something Big

It's like strutting down memory lane. Andy Farber and His Orchestra present 14 big band pieces with This Could Be the Start of Something Big.

A product of Long Island, Farber grew up listening to

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey and

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis. He began attending jazz workshops at the age of 10 and developed into a multifaceted woodwinds player. On this outing, he plays alto, tenor and baritone saxophones and flute. The ensemble features a full-size horn section and a few guests, including vocalist

Jon Hendricks

vocals
1921 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Hendricks.

"Bombers" is an appropriate opening selection. It was composed as a tribute to

Count Basie

piano
1904 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Count Basie, whose band often played baseball, with one of the teams known as the Bombers. The title is unintentionally reminiscent of World War II, a period when the musical style represented throughout this collection was popular. The piece features a throaty trombone solo by Harvey Tibbs and a muted trumpet by Kenny Rampton.

Hendricks and his backup singers, Aria Hendricks and Kevin Burke, join the band for the title song, a lively arrangement of Steve Allen's "This Could Be the Start of Something Big." Hendricks lends his trademark scat to the middle break, while Farber solos on baritone sax.

Jennifer Vincent

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Jennifer Vincent's bass line also stands out.

Hendricks also contributes to "Roll 'em Pete," his auctioneer-styled vocal complementing Farber's tenor sax, whether he's singing lyrics or scatting. The band also delivers on

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk's "52nd Street Theme," with solos by Rampton and alto saxophonist Jay Brandford.

This Could Be the Start of Something Big has a few solos, but it's mostly about the entire band. Regardless of which instrument has the lead, the other players are deeply involved. Big band music has evolved over the decades, but this package recaptures the spirit of bands led by Basie,

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington and others during the 1930s and '40s.

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Track Listing

Bombers; Space Suit; Body and Soul; This Could be the Start of Something Big; It Is What It Is; Broadway; Roll 'em Pete; Midnight, the Stars and You; 52nd Street Theme; Short Yarn; The Man I Love; High Anxiety; Jack the Bellboy; Seems Like Old Times.

Personnel

Andy Farber

saxophone

Andy Farber: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute; Chuck Wilson: alto saxophone; Jay Brandford: alto saxophone; Dan Block: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Marc Phaneuf: tenor saxophone; Kurt Bacher: baritone saxophone; Brian Paresi; Bob Grillo: guitar; Kenny Ascher: piano; Jennifer Vincent: bass; Alvester Garnett: drums; Mark Sherman: vibraphone (8); Jon Hendricks: vocals (4, 7); John Hendricks & Co Singers (4, 7): Aria Hendricks, Kevin Fitzgerald Burke; Jerry Dodgion: alto saxophone (6).

Album information

Title: This Could Be The Start Of Something Big | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Black Warrior

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