Album Review: Red Beats from Steve Fidyk and the Live Wire Broad Band

Album:  Red Beats
Artist:  Steve Fidyk and the Live Wire Broad Band
Label:  Blue Canteen Music
Website:  www.bluecanteenmusic.com
and www.jazzprofiles.blogspot.com

Applying the standard of five saxophones, four trombones, four trumpets, and four rhythm players augmented by guitar and organ to the instrumentation featured on Steve Fidyk and the Live Wire Broad Band's latest endeavor Red Beats, the recording bears a burst of creative thinking that expands on the syntex of big band constructs.  Produced by Fidyk, the compilation consists of 9 original compositions by Fidyk as well, arranged for big band by 6 different arrangers from the DC and Philly region, namely the band's bassist Regan Brough, saxophonist Joseph Henson, trumpet player Andrew Carson, guitarist Michael Kramer, saxophonist Mark Allen, and saxophonist Jack Saint Clair.

Well-versed in holding dynamic conversations spurred on by rhythm changes, chirpy interfacing and counter statements, the musicians excel in their parts.  Whether it is being boisterous and spontaneous to make a bold impression, wafting a debonair breeze when the mood calls for it, or glowing with a psychedelic tint à la Brian Charette's organ and Fidyk's robust drumming at poignant moments, a level of freedom is unleashed that keeps the listening experience upbeat wherever the instrumentation roams.  Present throughout the recording are techniques to coordinate the various parts being incorporated, always having control over the direction of the instrumentation, primping the horns to a lofty altitude, and stimulating musicians to respond to each other's comments in a complimenting manner.

The frilly solos performed by Xavier Perez on tenor sax, Jack Wilkins on guitar, and  Carson on trumpet may appear capricious but their impetus statements perforating "Untimely" seam a steady cascade loaded with rambunctious flurries and flashing surges.  The rollicking rhythm of "Churn" keep the instrumentation in a state of flux that showcases the rapturous rattling of Christopher Ziemba's piano keys, subsiding as Walt Weiskopf's tenor sax thrusts forward.  It's a cross section of big band meets improvised jazz and bebop stimulation.  The musicians play as though they are enjoying themselves, and that sentiment is felt by the listener who also experiences an unbridled pleasure.

Infusing a bluesy tone in Joseph Henson's alto sax traversing across "Food Court Drifter," Carson's arrangement partners the undulating swells with psychedelic vibrations that widen the bounds of big band's plurality.  As the title suggests, the image being portrayed is of someone in a food court sampling all the free food that is offered on tiny trays by each vendor.  The chirpy mood is prevalent, leading the listener to believe the food court drifter is having a joyful time.  The sweltering red hot jazz, as the CD title Red Beats implies, of "The Flip Flopper" permeates a steamy ether induced by the sinuous vapors of organist Brian Charette as trombonist Kevin Cerovich coils the tune in funky wiggles.  The track is topped off by Fidyk's spontaneous and fervent drumming, igniting red hot fumes.

Fidyk takes his role as a drummer to positively influence the dynamic shape and articulation of the arrangements to heart, and listeners can perceive it.  The compilation of reimagined arrangements of Fidyk's original works widens the syntex and plurality of big band jazz, showing that applying a standard construct does not limit one's creativity.  Fidyk's drumming primps up all musicians to lofty heights.

Musicians:
Bandleader, drummer and composer:  Steve Fidyk

Organ:  Brian Charette

Piano:  Christopher Ziemba

Saxophones:  Mark Allen, Mike Cemprola, Chris Farr, Daniel Henson, Joseph Henson Josh Lee, Xavier Perez, Walt Weiskopf

Trumpets:  Luke Brandon, Graham Breedlove, Kevin Burns, Andrew Carson, Thomas Eby, Tamela Fidyk, Matt Gallagher, Chris Kaplan, Tim Leahey, Tyler Mire, Fareed Simpson Hankins

Trombones:  Scott Blanke, Hailey Brinnel, Kevin Cerovich, Sam Gellerstein, Ian Kaufman, Jake Kraft, Randy Kapralick, Omeed E. Nyman, Harry Watters

Guitar:  Jeff Barone, Michael Kramer, Parris Spivey, Jack Wilkins

Bass: Regan Brough, Micah Jones, Nathan Kawaller, Jack Synoski