Live Review: George Gee
Big Band at Birdland (Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower)
Tonight’s first set at Birdland was a selection of Frank Foster
arrangements for the George Gee Big Band. Frank Foster, renowned arranger
and composer, was Guest of Honor at this tribute. George Gee and Foster
go back together many years, and they would be collaborating the very
next day on a CD recording, their first studio album, to celebrate Mr.
Foster’s music ... read more
>>
CD Review: One Final Note
(David Dupont)
As an arranger for Count Basie, Frank Foster helped refine the sound
of the contemporary big band. It's a robust style that boldfaces the
sense of swing with virtuosic ensemble playing. It borrows the brassy
quality of Kenton and the extended harmonies of bebop, using them to
fuel a relentless sense of momentum ... read
more >>
CD Review: All About Jazz.com
(Jack Bowers)
There aren't many arrangers who can brighten a band better than Foster,
and even though he composed only three of the album's dozen selections
(”Settin' the Pace,” “Ready Now That You Are GG,”
”Bass in Yo' Face”), each one is a gem, as are his arrangements
of such crowd-pleasers as Ellington's “In a Sentimental Mood,”
Johnny Green's “Out of Nowhere,” Mario Bauza's “Mambo
Inn,” E.A. Swan's “When Your Lover Has Gone” (featuring
lead trumpeter/music director Walt Szymanski) and Charlie Parker's ”Scrapple
from the Apple.” ... read more >>
CD Review: Jazz Review.com
(Glenn Astarita)
Among many of the album’s highlights, is Gee’s joyous interpretation
of Mario Bauza’s “Mambo Inn.” On this piece, you’ll
hear layered textures and punchy horn charts riding atop Latin-jazz
percussion grooves and a lyrically rich theme ... read
more >>
CD Review: All About Jazz.com
(Jim Santella)
The full-bodied big band arrangements of Frank Foster make this session
swing with a lush tonality and a finger-snappin' groove. The New York
ensemble that George Gee has put together tackles each standard piece
with a passionate love for the art ... read
more >>
CD Review: All Music Guide
(Scott Yanow)
George Gee's big band benefited from the retro-swing movement of the
1990s, playing for dancers in New York and carving out a niche for themselves.
For this particular project, they primarily perform arrangements by
Frank Foster, who was present to lead them through their first studio
(as opposed to live) recording. ... read
more >>
CD Review: All About Jazz.com
(C. Michael Bailey)
George Gee, in his first studio recording, humbly passes the baton to
legend Frank Foster for a Big Band stroll through some of the saxophonist's
better known compositions and standards associated with him ... read
more >>
CD Review: All About Jazz.com
(Dr. Judith Schlesinger)
This CD contains two Frank Foster tunes and arrangements that have never
been recorded before: “Settin' the Pace” and “Bass
in Yo' Face,” both gems. Otherwise, eleven of the dozen tunes
here were arranged by Foster, reminding us of his uniquely spirited
talent and his flair for constructing intriguing charts ... read
more >>
CD Review: Swing 2 Bop
(Bruce Crowther)
Fine, tight ensemble playing by the band and well taken solo spots by
many of these fine musicians make this a must for all those who care
particularly for the late-Basie-style of big band jazz updated to 2004.
To add a little icing to a very palatable cake, Carla Cook sings on
three tracks ... read more >>
CD Review: Hot House Magazine
(George Kanzler)
Highlights include the barn-burner fast title track, with a three-trombone
chase plus a burbling Howard Johnson baritone sax solo; a swinging “Out
of Nowhere” with an inventive sax section soli; a deft Joe Cohn
guitar solo kicking off a swinging round of solos and section work on
“Ready Now That You Are GG;” and a successful jazz foxtrot
version of “When Your Lover Has Gone.” ... read
more >>
CD Review: EJazzNews.com (Karl
Stober)
Few times ever do I get excited about a project right out of the jewel
case but it can happen and did. The George Gee Big Band along with GJazz
Records has released a 2004 gem when it comes to the big band resonance
and the confidence it reverberates. Featuring the salient voice of Carla
Cook this disc is sizzling and introduces that landmark sound with the
quality it deserves.
Pop Matters: Frank Foster 75th
Birthday Celebration
Since one of the sessions this music was recorded on happened to coincide
with my birthday earlier this year (some decades still lie between me
and my own 75th!), I might as well award the cake to the tenor saxophonist
and arranger who was invited to conduct this band through a selection
of his own arrangements just a couple of dozen weeks back. He does not,
I have to say, play here.
CD Review: O's Place Jazz Newsletter
(D. Oscar Groomes)
This is exceptionally well done!
CD Review:
Big Bands International Magazine (Robert Robbins)
For nearly fifteen years, Count Basie idolator George Gee has been leading
swinging bands of various sizes and configurations around his native
New York City, and for his studio recording debut (he has recorded several
CD’s of his live gigs), He has tapped ex-Basie bandleader Frank
Foster as arranger and guest conductor.
CD Review: Audiophile
Audition (John Henry)
This album realized a dream of his in working with not only the arrangements
and originals of Frank Foster for the Count Basie Band but having Foster
- one of the main leaders of that band following Basie’s passing
- lead Gee’s own big band.
CD Review: JazzTimes Magazine
(Harvey Siders )
Highlights include Lance Bryant's tenor sax solo on "In a Sentimental
Mood," Joe Cohn's guitar statements on "Ready Now That You
Are GG" and flugelhornist Walt Szymanski's solo on the same track.
Later, Szymanski shows his trumpet chops on "When Your Lover Has
Gone," both in the art of playing pure melody and improvising.
CD Review: Altri Suoni (Franz Falanga)
