| Liner notes from the
original CD:
Over the years, the Airmen of
Note has commissioned works from some of the most acclaimed
names in jazz composition. This project, the first under the new leadership of the Airmen of Note, is a compilation of eleven such
compositions and arrangements. Under the combined leadership of
superintendent SMSgt C.E. Askew and music director SMSgt Joe Eckert,
the "Note" proudly extends this Invitation to
listen to some of today's most imaginative writing for big band.
The opening tune is an arrangement
of the Cole Porter standard, It's All Right With Me by Airmen
of Note alumnus Tommy Newsom. After his tour with the Air
Force in the early 1950s, Newsom moved to the LA studio scene, where
he flourished as a composer, arranger, and woodwind specialist. He
then spent nearly 30 years in Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show
Orchestra serving as assistant director. Today he is semi-retired
and lives near Hampton, Virginia. This particular arrangement
features Newsom's signature harmonies and contrapuntal writing
style, as well as the solo talents of MSgt Andy Axelrad on alto
saxophone and TSgt Ben Patterson on trombone.
Matt Harris is a Los Angeles-based
composer, arranger, and pianist, whose credits include the Buddy
Rich and Maynard Ferguson orchestras, as well as countless studio
dates for movie, television and national recording artists. His
hauntingly beautiful ballad Call Back features music in the
"jazz waltz" style. This music exploits the different
colors of the saxophone section doubling on flutes and clarinets,
and the trumpet section doubling on flugelhorns. Featured are MSgt
Paul Henry on electric bass, MSgt Tim Leahey on flugelhorn and,
after a soaring ensemble section, MSgt Wade Beach Jr. on piano.
The next arrangement comes from the
pen of Lieutenant Commander John Fluck, United States Nave (Ret).
Fluck spent 30 years in the Navy music program as pianist and
arranger, finishing out his career in 1989 as commander of the Naval
Academy Band in Annapolis, Maryland. He remains active in the
Washington, D.C. area as a freelance performer and writer. Fluck's
version of Too Close for Comfort by Jerry Bock, Larry
Holofcener and George Weiss, was originally written to feature the
vocal talents of the late Sammy Davis Jr. in a 1955 Broadway show
titled Mr. Wonderful. This selection has been adopted
over the years by many great jazz singers, most notable the late
Ella Fitzgerald. Fluck's arrangement features the vocal talents of
MSgt Tracey Wright with MSgt Rich Sigler on muted trumpet in the
background.
Gary Lindsay has been the chairman
of the arranging department at the University of Miami in Coral
Gables, Florida, since the mid-1980s. Far more than a music teacher,
his arrangments are in demand nationwide. His version of
Bronislau Kaper's Invitation
moves between a delicate "jazz waltz" and hard-driving
"jazz funk" feel. Featured are MSgt Wade Beach Jr. on
piano, MSgt Rich Sigler on flugelhorn, and SMSgt Saul Miller Jr. on
tenor saxophone.
Body and
Soul, a jazz standard by Johnny Green, has been recorded
countless times by a myriad of artists. Matt Harris adds his special
creative touch to this classic with an arrangement that features
vocalist MSgt Tracey Wright. Of special interest is the
"vocalise" interlude, which features an innovative
ensemble of voice, soprano saxophone, flugelhorn, guitar and flute.
John Coltrane's influence on jazz
improvisation and composition is as evident today as it was during
his lifetime. His practice of superimposing complex harmonies over
simple chord progressions has influenced a generation of jazz
musicians. Mr. P.C., dedicated
to his long-time bassist Paul Chambers, is one such example. Rich
Shemaria, a talented New York-based composer, arranger and pianist,
has created a very innovative arrangement of this classic
"minor blues" for the Airmen of Note. Listen to his
interesting use of harmony and bass lines, as well as challenging
ensemble writing for the brass and saxophone sections. Featured are
SMSgt Saul Miller Jr. and TSgt Tyler Kuebler on tenor saxophone.
West Coast pianist Bob Florence has
led his "Limited Edition Big Band" since the early 1970s,
giving him the perfect vehicle for his distinctive writing style.
His arrangement of Johnny Mandel's Emily, renamed The
Two Faces of Emily, shifts between 4/4 and 3/4 meters and
is typical of this distinctive style. This piece features the solo
exploits of pianist MSgt Wade Beach Jr., who just retired after a
distinguished 20-year career in The United States Air Force Band.
Mike Tomaro, former member of the
U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble and present Director of Jazz Studies
at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has written many
arrangements for the Airmen of Note. Tomaro's rendition of Freddie
Hubbard's Little Sunflower has
been a favorite of the band and audiences alike since its premier in
1995. Written with a 12/8 feel, a recurring bass line is used to
launch a driving rhythmic feel throughout. Subtle woodwind color
changes and contrasting dynamics in the brass section add to the
excitement of Tomaro's writing style. Featured in the solo spotlight
are MSgt Joe Jackson on trombone and TSgt Tyler Kuebler on tenor
saxophone.
Cherokee,
the Ray Noble classic, was once the measuring stick by which jazz
instrumentalists were judged during late-night jam sessions. This
updated vocal version by John Fluck is an adaptation of Peter
Herbolzheimer's arrangement, and begins with a samba-like feel to
support both the vocal styling of MSgt Tracey Wright and the
improvisations of MSgt Andy Axelrad on alto saxophone.
Rob McConnell, noted Canadian
composer, arranger and jazz trombonist, has led his "Boss
Brass" big band since the late 1970s, and his writing for that
ensemble has been acclaimed for its originality and use of different
harmonic colors and textures. Wait and See
was written for McConnell's appearance with the Airmen of Note during
a 1993 Jazz Heritage Concert performance. It utilizes a unique flute
"lead" over the ensemble and emphasizes many subtleties
not usually prevalent in big band writing. Featured in this
arrangement are TSgt Shawn Purcell on guitar and TSgt Jeff Martin on
trombone.
The final selection features the
writing or Orlando, Florida-based composer and arranger Chris Sharp.
Sharp has written several arrangements for the Airmen of Note and
his version of Duke Ellington's Caravan
has received an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences
across the country. The clever introduction and authentic Middle
Eastern harmonies culminate with an exciting "shout"
chorus by the entire ensemble. Features soloists are SMSgt Joe
Eckert on soprano saxophone, MSgt Tim Leahey on trumpet, SMSgt C.E.
Askew on drums and SMSgt Pat Shrieves on percussion.
The Airmen
of Note is honored to have so many outstanding writers
eagerly contribute to its repertoire. It is a privilege to share
this collection of artistry with you.
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