(Review by Russell).
A press release accompanying Why Do You Ride? proclaims:
‘Darrell Katz and the Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra play music
about Albert Einstein, the Zen of riding bicycles, and a six-toed cat.’
The CD cover art features a
sepia-tinted photograph of Einstein riding a bicycle. Question: Will listening
to this recording make your brain hurt?
The opening bars threaten
cinematic horror. Fears quickly dissipate as Ellingtonian muted horns growl
reassuringly, then just as quickly a menacing flute asserts, finally ceding to
a swinging (sixties tv theme) tune swirling
around Rebecca Shrimpton’s soaring vocals. An accomplished raft of soloists
step up; Phil Scarff (tenor), Hiroaki Honshuku (flute, EWI), Joe Doubleday
(vibraphone), Mike Peipman (trumpet), Dan Zupan (baritone), bandleader Darrell
Katz (guitar), all marshalled by the superb
big band drumming of Luther Gray.
So, who are these guys? Think
(Russell).
Jazz Composers Alliance
Orchestra: Rebecca Shrimpton (voice), Hiroaki Honshuku
(flute, EWI), Allan Chase (alto saxophone), Jim Hobbs (alto saxophone), Phil
Scarff (tenor, soprano & sopranino saxophones & clarinet), Dan Zupan
(baritone saxophone & bass clarinet), Mike Peipman (trumpet), Gary Bohan
(trumpet), Forbes Graham (trumpet), Bob Pilkington (trombone), David Harris
(trombone), Jim Mosher (French horn), Bill Lowe (tuba), Luther Gray (drums),
Norm Zocher (guitar), John Funkhouser (bass), Joe Doubleday (vibraphone), Mina
Cho (piano), Ryan Edwards (percussion) & Darrell Katz (guitar.)
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JCA Sax Quartet: Jeff Hudgkins (alto saxophone), Daniel Ian Smith (alto
saxophone), Phil Scarff (tenor saxophone) & Dan Bosshardt (baritone
saxophone).
The JCAO is preparing to
celebrate the band’s thirtieth birthday. This new CD (out now) is a present to
the band, and to you, the listener. Darrell
Katz and the JCA Orchestra – Why Do You Ride? is available on Leo Records CD LR 711. Recommended.
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