Search - Ellen Seeling Director Montclair Women's Big Band :: Montclair Women's Big Band, Ellen Seeling Director

The Montclair Women's Big Band upholds a lofty tradition of women's big bands, from the Roaring 20s, through the swing era of the 30's and 40's. With Director Ellen Seeling at the helm, the band's groovin' rhythm section and outstanding soloists smoke their way through 14 classic arrangements. The band burns on Ernie Wilkins? rhythm tune, ?The Brownsville Express,? featuring Mad Duran on alto, Christy Dana on trumpet and Allison Miller on drums. The group breathes new life into ?String of Pearls? with tenor saxophonist Jean Fineberg and trumpeter Marina Garza. And Vicki Randle?s chops go way beyond her skill as the percussionist in The Tonight Show band. Just check out her vocal on ?For Once in My Life.? From Sonya Jason?s alto and Tammy Hall?s piano solos on Percy Mayfield?s funky ?Rivers Invitation? to Seeling?s haunting interpretation of Antonio Carlos Jobim?s ?Quiet Nights,? this band can do it all. The group's first CD roars through classic jazz and blues standards. Produced by Seeling and Price, with Assistant Director/tenor saxophonist Jean Fineberg and legendary sound engineer Leslie Ann Jones, the recording also highlights vocalists Vicki Randle (of the Tonight Show Band), Linda Tillery (of the Cultural Heritage Choir) and Bay Area singing star Pamela Rose.