GJazz Records Reviews

Article: Hot House Magazine

WINNING SPINS

By George Kanzler

New albums from two New York-based big bands led, unusually, by non-playing conductors demonstrate the wide range of approaches to orchestral jazz associated with dance. Maria Schneider says, “My world … is strongly influenced by dance.” On the other hand, George Gee’s Big Band is an unapologetic swing orchestra that often plays for dancers.

Settin’ The Pace: The Music of Frank Foster Under His Direction by the George Gee Big Band (gjazzrecords.com) is definitely what Foster calls “happy swing.” It is classic big band stuff full of section call-and-response, riffs and shout choruses from a band that works often enough to have a cohesive, nuanced ensemble sound. Most of the tracks are also at danceable, Basie-like tempos. In short, it’s classic, traditional big band jazz.

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.”

Carla Cook contributes three personalized vocals on standards, but in a classic, legato voice reminiscent of Swing Era “girl singers.” “I Don’t Want To Learn To Sing the Blues,” the one non-Foster arrangement, features a bravura vocal from arranger/tenor saxophonist Lance Bryant, singing as if he could step in for George Benson any day now.