Not all universities are readin’, writing and ‘rhythmatic. Here are two colleges that bop with the baccalaurates
North Texas is swinging! At least the University of North Texas big band under the direction of Alan Baylock is.
The 20 piece band mixes originals and some clever covers on this exciting and well crafted session. Of the new material, Brandon Moore’s “The Rhythm of the Road” is a swift gallop that includes some strong solos by Kyle Bellaire/as, Brian Woodbury/tb and the charging drummer John Sturino, the sections punching like a middleweight on “Blues For Kazu” with Kazunori Tanaka hits 5, count ‘em 5 octaves in his solo! Baylock’s “Without A Doubt” has some really sophisticated charts, and these guys handle it like NASCAR drivers.
Of the standards, a take of “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing” includes lovely vocals by Marion Powers and sensitive piano by Paul Lees” while a read of John Coltrane’s “After the Rain” has hints of Gil Evans hues with Brendon Wilkin’s flute and Gregory Newman’s flugelhorn adding rich textures. Sounds from the Texas panhandle are sizzling.
Big Band sounds from the Midwest are delivered by the Western Michigan University Jazz Orchestra directed by Dr. Scott Cowan. The 21 band does some wonders with creative charts. There’s an over the top almost two minute drum exhibition by Madison George on the intro to a wild and whooley take of Dizzy Gillespie’s “Bebop” while a pair of Ellington tunes are given sleek polishings on a frantically charged “Portrait of Wellman Braud” (with a pulsating bass by Henry Rensch) and a glorious “Sepia Panorama.” The band delivers some Kansas City blues with Christian Diaz on vocals for a hip “Goin’ to Chicago” and Alexandrea Robson nice and sassy for “All Right, Ok, You Win.” The percussion is wild on a roller coaster of the Latin piece “Chucho” and the title track is filled with exotic Middle Eastern harmonies. Impressive and enthusiastic.
Under the leadership of Terry Promane, the team of Brooklyn Bohach/voc, Michael Henley-Kaelin Murphy/tp, Karl Silveira/tb, Brandon Tse/as, John Nicholson-Kieran Murphy/ts, Russell Matthews/bs, Noah Franche-Nolan/p, Julius Clegg/eg, Evan Gratham/b and Keagan Eskritt/dr mix originals with some cleverly selected material. Bohach’s voice works wonders on an elegiac “(Ocean) Bloom” with mourning horn section support, while is sleek with the saxes on “Isaya” along with some nice guitar work by Clegg. Tom Harrell’s “Sail Away” features a glowing trumpet solo by Henley” while Silveira’s trombone teams with John Nicholson’s tenor on the latter’s “Eventide.” An arrangement of the classic “Perdido” is taken at a 5/4 pulse with the reed section doing some fun work to lay down the foundation for solos by both Murphy’s. Impressive reads all around.