Search - Ray Anderson, George Concert Jazz Band Gruntz, Lew Soloff :: Big Band Record

Oh, MAN!

ComputerGenius | Denver, CO United States | 07/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A big-band record that's fresh, edgy, and original is almost impossible to find, as most large-ensemble jazz excursions tend to play it safe and perform hackneyed jazz standards or compositions that seem to pander to an excluslively academic audience. However, what we have here is truly fresh, edgy and original. Anderson's passionate playing style is complemented perfectly by Gruntz' brilliant arrangements. "Annabel at One" is an unruly child writing on the walls with a crayon while "Seven Monsters" is a 3:30am booty call. The playing on this album is solid from front to back, too; the horn break-down on "Literary Lizard" will send you running home for a clean change of underwear, and "Don't Mow Your Lawn" will mow the hair right off your head. Dig."

Great Music From A Great Artist

G. Ladnik | Stony Brook, NY | 10/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is amazing!

It is a combination of great arranging, great horn sections, a great rhythm section and virtuoso solo work. It is great to hear the big band arrangements of songs that were previously recorded or performed in smaller groups. A great example of this is "Literary Lizard." The song is on the "What Because" album (It is titled "Alligatory Crocodile")in which it is arranged for Trombone, Guitar, Bass, Drums.

Overall, I highly recommend this CD to anyone who wants to hear new and innovative jazz. This is not your grandfather's standard collection of big band charts. It contains pieces in many different styles including jazz march, calypso, straight ahead and others.

"

Ray blows, and blows with a truely swinging band.

Chris | 05/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ray Anderson, the soloist, the virtuoso, the "mad hatter" of trombonists, plays some of his most intimate compositions (often named for members of his family, "Waltz for Phoebe") in a big band setting reminiscent of Ellington and Basie. A must-have for fans of Ray, trombones, big bands, and jazz in general."