jazz2love

Album: The Weather is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful Artist: The Jeff Benedict Big Big Band Label: Groovy Panda Records Website: marooncreekmusic.com The Jeff Benedict Big Big Band are ringing in 2021 with their second offering The Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful.   Produced by the band's leader Jeff Benedict, the recording is a lively assortment of original compositions by Benedict interspersed with five of his arrangements of American standards.  Benedict builds on the Big Band harmonies of Guy Lombardo and Lawrence Welk and modernizes the format for present generations.  He creates a contemporary montage relatable to the vigorous churning and robust surges of Rich Willey's Boptism Big Band, the One O'Clock Lab Band, and Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. The recording opens with one of Benedict's original numbers "Moonscape," a sizzling arrangement featuring the billowing puffs and swerving doodles of trombonist Paul and tenor saxophon...

Album:  Down & Dirty Artist:  Rich Willey's Boptism Big Band Label:  Wise Cat Records Website:  www.boptism.com Big Band leader Rich Willey conducts an ensemble of 20 musicians through a kaleidoscope of music, nuanced with shades of bop-tinged improv, swing, reggae, soft funk, Latin dance, power pop, and smooth jazz.  The 12-track CD entitled Down & Dirty features original numbers writtien by Rich Willey with one cover, "Old Folks," penned by Willard Robison and Dedette Lee Hill.   The music is pure enjoyment from start to finish. "Walter the Ferret" is a charming tune with frolicking horns, anchored by a funky rhythmic groove  played by bassist Edwin Livingston and drummer Peter Erskine.  The intersecting lines of the horns are aurally pleasing and meticulously executed.   The intervals of twinkling piano keys performed by Wally Minko on the title track add a sprightly feel to the music as Willey's bass trumpet and spec...