Frank Foster and George Gee collaborate on debut CD for GJazz Records!

Updated: January 23, 2005

Happy New Year and best wishes for a safe and swingin’ 2005 from Frank Foster and The George Gee Big Band!

Please sign up for the new GJazz Mailing list and be eligible for a monthly drawing to receive a copy of the new CD. Also, exciting upcoming news about a soon-to-be-announced follow-up recording project with Frank and The George Gee Big Band, plus an exciting roster of guest performers!

The new CD - "Settin' the Pace" - The George Gee Big Band performs the music of Frank Foster, under his direction - has finally been released. The recording is available at all major music stores and online shops, thanks to our distributor - City Hall Records! You can also purchase it here on our ORDER page. The George Gee Big Band enjoyed two SRO CD Release events at Birdland Jazz Club on September 27th and at Il Campanello Ristorante on October 1st. The latter event was a lindyhop party attended by nearly 200 dancers (including legendary Savoy dancer Frankie Manning), proving that if you swing - they will come!

Garnering many fabulous and complimentary REVIEWS, "Settin' the Pace" is also enjoying airplay on over 200 Jazz/Big Band radio stations around the USA, Canada and Europe (including NYC flagship jazz station - WBGO-FM ) and on several syndicated programs on National Public Radio (NPR). It also has been added to the rotation on The Music Choice Cable Network and United Airlines Jazz Channel, so you can hear us sitting on the couch or flying in the air!

The music and arrangements of Frank Foster are timeless, as this CD recording proves over and over again. And "to add a little icing to a very palatable cake, Carla Cook sings on three tracks," reviews Bruce Crowther. "A most fitting session, especially during this time that we all acknowledge The Count Basie Centennial (2004)" explains Foster. "Settin' the Pace" is a labor of love among musical friends and a tribute to a true Great American Art Form – the Big Band!” happily announce bandleader George Gee. Get your copy now!

George Gee liner notes from Settin’ the Pace

Gracious thanks to Frank Foster for all his continuous support! His fabulous music is always a feature in the band’s library, delighting both audiences and musicians. In my humble opinion, Frank’s music is in the same league as Ellington and Copeland, no doubt.

After 25 years in the music business, I knew eventually that the 17 pc. Big Band would eventually go into the recording studio (having already recorded several “live” albums). Finally, in the spring of 2004, everything worked out perfectly! My “family” of musicians were all available and in town at the same time. Grammy nominee vocalist Carla Cook, music director Walt Szymanski, and I have contemplated a recording project together for years. Bassist Daryl Hall was just one week short of relocating to Europe. Lance Bryant returned from Cleveland with his tenor in tow. Saxophonist Marshall McDonald and trumpeter Shawn Edmonds were off the road from a busy Basie Band schedule. Tuba/baritone saxophonist impresario Howard Johnson was able to cover for regular Alex Harding at the last moment. And, most importantly, the maestro himself was eager to come to town and spearhead the whole project.

Handing the reins of my Big Band to Frank was an honor. His musical wizardry bought out the best in the group. After several marathon rehearsals, we debuted the music at NYC’s Birdland Jazz Club on April 20th. Playing in front of an SRO crowd – the audience included Slide Hampton, Hilton Ruiz, Frank Wess, Jane Jarvis, TS Monk, and dance legends Frankie Manning and Dawn Hampton (who wrote the only non-Foster tune on the album – I Don’t Want to Learn to Sing the Blues) - made for an electrifying night! Right afterwards, we went straight into the studio to record these tracks. As Frank said, it was happy and fun! His presence and participation inspired every moment.

I am proud of this fine ensemble called the George Gee Big Band. Their dedication and loyalty to the music shows in every individual’s featured solo performance (everyone had a chance to shine). Many of the songs and arrangements on this album have never been recorded before, including Foster originals Settin’ the Pace and Bass in Yo’ Face. These are the results – I hope that you enjoy!