Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » John Burnett Swing Orchestra: West of State Street/East of Harlem

John Burnett Swing Orchestra: West of State Street/East of Harlem

By Ken Dryden
May 4, 2009
View read count

John Burnett Swing Orchestra: West of State Street/East of Harlem

England native

John Burnett

" data-original-title="" title="">John Burnett has been a part of the Chicago jazz scene for some time. He presently hosts a weekday jazz radio program on WDCB and is also the conductor of his own Swing Orchestra (formed in 1999) which focuses on big band music of the '40s.

Recorded live early last year at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, Illinois, guest trumpeter

Randy Sandke

trumpet
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Sandke is featured on seven selections and proves to be the most compelling soloist, though the band has a number of fine players who merit wider exposure, among them tenor saxophonist Doug Stone and alto saxophonist Nick Mazarella. The book draws heavily from Count Basie's repertoire, including a swinging treatment of the rarely performed "Flight of the Foo Birds" (you likely have to be over 50 to know the joke behind the song's title), a snappy "One O'Clock Jump" plus the famous chart of "April in Paris" (complete with the famous Thad Jones "Pop Goes the Weasel" quote and multiple reprises of the theme at its conclusion).

They also do justice to "A Night in Tunisia" and "Struttin' With Some Barbecue." The only tiresome gimmick is Tony Pons' pointless attempt to duplicate Louis Armstrong's gravelly vocal to "Hello, Dolly!" Far better are Frieda Lee's two vocal features.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Flight Of The Foo Birds; Groovin

Personnel

John Burnett

John Burnett: leader; Frieda Lee: vocals; John Moran: guitar; Nick Mazarella: alto saxophone; Bob Frankich: alto saxophone; Anthony Bruno: tenor saxophone; Doug Stone: tenor saxophone; Bruce Mack: baritone saxophone; Greg Duncan: trumpet; Terry Connell: trumpet; Mike McGrath: trumpet; Tony Pons: trumpet, vocals; Randy Sandke: trumpet; Bryant Scott: trombone; Adam Gross: trombone; Dana Legg: trombone; Bill Walsh: bass trombone; Mark Burnell: piano; Paul Martin: bass; Bill Byan: drums.

Album information

Title: West of State Street/East of Harlem | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Delmark Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Mike Vax Big Band / Dave Siebels / P...
< Previous

Take Five With Jamie Rosenn
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.