Bijon Watson, Gilbert Castellanos, James Ford, Brian Swarz, Jamie Hovorka (tpts); Ira Nepus, George Bohanon, Ryan Porter, Maurice Spears (tmbs); Jeff Clayton, Keith Fiddmont, Rickey Woodard, Charles Owens. Lee Callet (reeds); Graham Dechter (gtr); Jeff Hamilton (dms); John Clayton (arco bass); Tamir Hendelman (pno); Christophe Luly (bs). + Barbara Morrison, Ernie Andrews (vcls).
(Review by Lance),
The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra is without doubt one of the best and most swinging big bands around. Add a couple of vocalists, long established in their own right, and you have the ingredients for a very fine cake indeed.
With John Clayton out front conducting (and bowing double bass), Jeff Hamilton spurring then on from behind the kit and Jeff Clayton the man within, this recording couldn't fail - not with Barbara and Ernie alternating at the mic!
Morrison is featured on Exactly Like You; her own Got to Get Back to L.A.; Percy Mayfield's River's Invitation and Fever. Andrews gets his vocal chops around another Mayfield song, The Jug and I; then I'm Getting Sentimental Over You; Beautiful Friendship and Time After Time. Despite their advancing years, Andrews is 86 Barbara 61, both singers are in good voice and it's good to have them back on disc.
Apart from the vocals, the band also justify their position at the forefront of big band jazz. The trombones are heard to advantage on I Love Being Here With You. Luly pizzicato and John Clayton arco duet in tribute to Charlie Mingus on Goodbye Porkpie Hat which was, of course, originally a tribute to Lester Young. Mingus probably has a beyond the grave chuckle when he realises that it took TWO bass players to pay tribute to himself! I think he'd have liked the end product though.
Jazz Party has tenormen Woodward and Owens battling it out with co-leader Hamilton spurring them on.
Recommended for big band fans and admirers of quality vocals.
Morrison is featured on Exactly Like You; her own Got to Get Back to L.A.; Percy Mayfield's River's Invitation and Fever. Andrews gets his vocal chops around another Mayfield song, The Jug and I; then I'm Getting Sentimental Over You; Beautiful Friendship and Time After Time. Despite their advancing years, Andrews is 86 Barbara 61, both singers are in good voice and it's good to have them back on disc.
Apart from the vocals, the band also justify their position at the forefront of big band jazz. The trombones are heard to advantage on I Love Being Here With You. Luly pizzicato and John Clayton arco duet in tribute to Charlie Mingus on Goodbye Porkpie Hat which was, of course, originally a tribute to Lester Young. Mingus probably has a beyond the grave chuckle when he realises that it took TWO bass players to pay tribute to himself! I think he'd have liked the end product though.
Jazz Party has tenormen Woodward and Owens battling it out with co-leader Hamilton spurring them on.
Recommended for big band fans and admirers of quality vocals.
The CD Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra - The L.A. Treasures Project is available from April 15 on the Capri Label.
Lance.
Lance.
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