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GJazz Records Reviews
CD Review: All
About Jazz.com
Settin' The Pace
George Gee Big Band
By 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. The band
is big and LOUD, right from the start, jettisoning “Out of Nowhere”
in the disc opener. Foster's “Settin' the Pace” notches the
swing heat up, featuring the trombone section and Howard Johnson on baritone
saxophone. Carla Cook sings “Lover Come Back to Me” over Foster's
inventive arrangement of the Gershwin chestnut. “The Very Thought
of You” is likewise treated. “When Your Lover Has Gone and
“Autumn Leaves” are lush, yet bright. Mr. Foster proves quite
the conductor, benefiting from his years of experience leading the Basie
Big Band.
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