Album review: Danny Jonokuchi Big Band - A Decade (Bandstand Records)

Back in the early days of the pandemic, Danny Jonokuchi was scheduled to play as a special guest with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band. Charts had been sent in advance and an exciting evening was anticipated. Of course Covid put the mockers on any American trumpet players crossing the Atlantic to play a gig in Newcastle. However, Danny did make contact via a video link and SSBB's opening number was Lionel Hampton's Red Top which is also on this album featuring Terell Stafford on trumpet and Jeb Patton on piano. 

Red Top is preceded by Kenny Barron's Voyage which gets things off to the swingingest of starts with Patton and Gould setting the benchmarks.

This Can't be Love has a vocal by Danny plus solos from Beshay on tenor and Jacovino on trombone. Like all the tracks on the album the charts are excellent. Demanding? Yes, but well worth the effort.

South Philly, an original by Danny reflects the diversity of that city, even the muggers go around in pairs (He was violently attacked in that city which had a traumatic effect on his embouchure). Solos by Wendholt and Gould. Another great arrangement with lots of screaming brass.

Skylark has our leader on flugel, his rich, round tone doing justice to Mercer and Carmichael's finest. Chris Lewis on tenor cleverly embellish's the melody. They reprise it on the final track - this time as a vocal feature.

There have been many fine arrangements of On Green Dolphin Street and this one is as good as any. Andrew Gutauskas on bari and Danny on trumpet fill the solo spots.

Ping Pong by Wayne Shorter features spiky solos by Beshay and Edwards but, again, that arrangement!

Tadd's Lady Bird brings Bruce Harris and Chris Oatts down front to solo on one of the most melodic compositions to come out of the bop era,

Like Someone in Love. When you need a ballad look no further than Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. Over the years they delivered the goods for Bing and Frank and they do so hear giving the material to Danny who laid the table for Beshay and Wendholt, not to mention some well-coordinated playing by the sax section.

Finally the vocal version of Skylark. Lewis again solos on tenor and Danny swaps his flugel for the microphone delivering a smooth Bakerish vocal.

Simply tremendous! Lance

Danny Jonokuchi (trumpet, flugel, vocals, arranger, producer) + (collective) Terell Stafford*, Nick Marchione, John Lake, Scott Wendholt, Bruce Harris, Sam Hoyt**, James Zollar**, Noah Halpern** (trumpets); Robert Edwards, Sara Jacovino, Jason Jackson , Reginald Chapman (trombones); Andrew Gould, Chris Oatts, Christopher McBride** (alto saxes); Jon Beshay, Chris Lewis (tenor saxes); Andrew Gutauskas (baritone sax); Jeb Patton (piano); Samuel Harris (bass); Kevin Congleton (drums); Victor Pablo (perc.)

* Track 2 only. ** Tracks 1,3,6 only.