The album gets off to a fun start with “Alright, Okay, You Win,” featuring Master Sergeant Paige Wroble on vocals. She delivers a delightful performance. I love the way she asks, “What are you waiting for?” I mean, seriously, that’s wonderful! This track also features great leads by Tech Sergeant Logan Keese on trumpet and by Tech Sergeant Matt Hettwer on trombone, all over a delicious groove. This track is totally raising my spirits.
Trumpet player Sean Jones then joins the band for three tracks, all compositions he wrote. The first is “Touch And Go.” A seriously cool rhythm sets the tone for this one, and then we get some lively, exciting work by Tech Sergeant Chris Ziemba on piano (actually, Chris Ziemba may have been promoted since this album’s release, for the website lists him as Master Sergeant). Whatever his rank, he delivers some fantastic work on this track. And of course Sean Jones keeps the energy up on trumpet. This track also features some excellent work by Tech Sergeant Mike Cemprola on alto saxophone (hey, it looks like Mike Cemprola was also promoted to Master Sergeant). But my favorite element of this excellent track is the drumming by Master Sergeant David McDonald. Phenomenal work. This piece was originally included on Sean Jones’ 2011 album No Need For Words. Things then mellow out a bit with “Life Cycles,” this one offering more room for contemplation and reflection. It comes from Sean Jones’ appropriately titled album The Search Within, released in 2009. This track features some really nice work on soprano saxophone by Master Sergeant Kristian Baarsvik. I also like the bass line by Tech Sergeant Ben Thomas. The final of the three tracks to feature Sean Jones is “Into The Sun,” a tune from his 2005 album Gemini. It’s not long before this one gets into a good groove, featuring another great bass line. Yes, there is certainly a funky element to this track. It also features some delicious work on trumpet, as well as some wonderful work by Senior Master Sergeant Grant Langford on tenor saxophone. This track is one of my personal favorites, this rendition surpassing the original version. These guys jam, trading licks, and there is a great deal of joy to their playing.
Ted Nash then joins the group on saxophone for three tracks. Nash has released several albums as band leader, and has worked with Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis. He is also co-founder of the Jazz Composers Collective in New York. And though Ted Nash is a composer of note, the three tracks he plays on were written by other artists. The first of those is “Inner Urge,” composed by Joe Henderson. This is an interesting piece. There is a sense of intrigue at the beginning, some hint of mystery. It isn’t long before we are treated to a good lead on bass. This track also features a lot of great playing on saxophone, from Ted Nash and also from Master Sergeant Tedd Baker. This piece grows in power in the second half, particularly because of the work from the brass section. The second track to feature Ted Nash is “Tones For Joan’s Bones,” written by Chick Corea. This rendition likewise has a sense of excitement about it as it begins, featuring some good work on flute. Then a brighter tone takes over. In addition to excellent work on saxophone, this track features some great work by Master Sergeant Kevin Cerovich on trombone. I also appreciate Senior Master Sergeant Geoff Reecer’s guitar playing. The final of the tracks to feature Ted Nash is Jackie-ing,” written by Thelonious Monk. Like Monk’s original recording, this track opens with some wonderful work on drums. This track also features some spirited work by Master Sergeant Luke Brandon (who is listed as Lucas Brandon on the band’s website) on trumpet, as well as a delicious bass line that keeps this piece moving.
Vocalist Diane Schuur joins the band for the album’s remaining tracks. Interestingly, the first three are all songs that she included on her 1987 album, Diane Schuur And The Count Basie Orchestra. The first is “You Can Have It,” written by Morgan Ames and Frank Foster. This song moves at a fast pace, and is a lot of fun. “If you like good music, you can have it/You can have it any time at all.” Oh yes! She delivers some playful scat in the middle, and the band seems to be working on some high level of joy and delight, existing in a place I think we’d all like to spend a good deal of our time. The group then mellows things out for “We’ll Be Together Again.” “No tears, no fears/Remember there’s always tomorrow.” I think we hear those opening lines a little differently when the musicians playing the song are in the military. Anyway, this is a beautiful and moving rendition, featuring Master Sergeant Tedd Baker on tenor saxophone. Then we get “Deedles’ Blues” (erroneously listed as “Deedle’s Blues” on the CD case). This is another joyful and lively piece. “Yes, I met him on the corner/It was pouring rain/He said, come on in here, baby/And tell me what’s your name.” Diane Schuur’s nickname is Deedles, and she delivers an energetic performance. This track also features some great stuff by on guitar. The final track features not only Diane Schuur on vocals, but also the other two special guests, and that song is “Bésame Mucho,” written by Consuelo Velazquez. And once again, this band delivers a joyful, exciting rendition.
CD Track List
- Alright, Okay, You Win
- Touch And Go
- Life Cycles
- Into The Sun
- Inner Urge
- Tones For Joan’s Bones
- Jackie-ing
- You Can Have It
- We’ll Be Together Again
- Deedles’ Blues
- Bésame Mucho
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