Big bands may not tour like they used to during the Swing Era of 1935-45, but there are still groups that record some amazingly large and orchestral sounds. Here are a couple.
Besides playing trombone, Michel Davis produces, composes and arranges the twelve pieces with a big band filled with all-stars including Andy Martin, Bob McChesney, David Finck and Marshall Gilkes. The brass and reed sections work overtime here as Will Kennedy drives the team with his drums on “Butterball” and the bold “Walk Like The Guv” while Andy Snitzer/ts, Michael Davis/tb and Scott Wendholt/tp provide some rich solos. Pianist Andy Ezrin floats with the sax section and Dick Oatts’ alto solo on”Zona” and the band delivers a soundtrack feel on the punchy “Show Up,” while the trombones jab like middleweights as each takes a solo on ”CRB’S 76 Trombones.” Lots of sparks fly here.
You can tell a drummer leads the Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, as Joe McCarthy provides tons of percussion with this collection where percussion is always part of the discussion. Jim Roberts’ guitar weaves around the sizzling groove on”CuBop” while Vince Norman’s warm alto floats along with Harry Appelman’s piano on”No Rest For The Bones of the Dead.” Some vibes by Ed Fast deliver a Caribbean flavor on”Soulfriere” and the bouncy “Creencias” whle the whole team gets real funky on “Dialed In” The brass section sears around Oscar Stangaro’s bass line on ”Family of Four” and the tam delvers a hip mambo on ”Magharibi.” Ritmo Caliente!