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Underdog, and Other Stories...
Ted Kooshian, Standard Orbit Quartet
Underdog, and Other Stories...
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

* An incredibly well-played and arranged assortment of recognizable and accessible crowd-pleasing pop and theme songs. Very hip! * Well-known to fans of the Ed Palermo Big Band, Ted Kooshian's quartet tears it up on access...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Ted Kooshian, Standard Orbit Quartet
Title: Underdog, and Other Stories...
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Summit Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 8/11/2009
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 099402525921

Synopsis

Album Description
* An incredibly well-played and arranged assortment of recognizable and accessible crowd-pleasing pop and theme songs. Very hip! * Well-known to fans of the Ed Palermo Big Band, Ted Kooshian's quartet tears it up on accessible tunes that everybody knows. Little Lulu, Sanford & Son, Baretta, Felix Unger, Popeye, and a host of others are superbly represented on this smokin' CD! * Living and working in NYC since 1987, Ted Kooshian has worked with Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, Toni Braxton, Marvin Hamlisch, Sarah Brightman, and Blood, Sweat, and Tears. He was the pianist for the Broadway show Aida and has performed on such Broadway smashes as The Lion King and Mamma Mia. * Service to top dailies and weeklies, as well as Jazziz, JazzTimes, Cadence, and DownBeat. Service to NPR and websites. AllAboutJazz.com feature article expected. Ads with JazzTimes. "Kooshian finds surprising creative potential lurking beneath the surface of simple ditties." -- JazzTimes

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CD Reviews

THE INCREDIBLE TED KOOSHIAN
Edward L. Palermo | 08/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Full disclosure. Ted Kooshian plays keyboards in my big band, which for the past 15 years has been focusing primarily on the music of Frank Zappa. But aside from that, I've been musically associated with him for close to 20 years. We have had a zillion jam sessions together. He is always the first guy I call. What he brings to the table with my big band is priceless.



When Ted plays his own material, he is free to unleash all of that great creativity not only as a player, but as a composer and arranger. His penchant for cartoon music and TV theme songs is utterly refreshing. In other less creative hands, that might seem "schtickish", but the fact that he REALLY loves those tunes and treats them with the utmost respect and reverence in his arrangements results in a totally swinging and heartfelt affair.



This new CD starts with a second-line, New Orleans interpretation of the Underdog theme. Scott Neumann on drums and Tom Hubbard on bass are right in the pocket, and Jeff Lederer's tenor sax solo is on fire. Jeff has always been one of my favorite sax players and I feel that this CD captures some of his best work. This tune in particular!



Jeff's slide whistle on the "Sanford and Son" theme is hilarious. Probably the funniest moment on a CD with MANY unpredictable moments.



Ted's solos are swinging throughout the entire CD. I have a lot of favorite moments, but to name a few:



The brilliant piano counterpoint on Popeye; the interplay between Ted and Jeff on "Purple Gazelle"; the soulfulness of Ted's solo on "God Give Me Strength"; the surreal stride piano on "Powerhouse" (probably Ted's greatest recorded solo so far); and finally, the polka groove that underscores the reprise of the "Powerhouse"theme right after the free-blowing section (only Warren Odze on drums could pull that transition off!).



This is an incredibly fun CD by 5 virtuosos who are creative and experienced enough to play their hearts out while at the same time never taking themselves too seriously."