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Brass Band of Battle Creek CD "Brassmatazz"

I recently received this CD and thought there might be some "lurkers"
interested in hearing some very unique writing, playing and sound from a
brass band.

You can find out more about BBBC and their other CDs at
http://www.bbbc.net/  and, you can hear a sample ...

Here are some caveats, thoughts and reactions .. in no praticular order!

If you don't like big band jazz, my guess is you won't like this either.
But if you enjoy Ellington, Basie, Dorsey, Miller, (to mention a few)
you'll be pleasantly surprized at this CD. Whatever your taste, it's
good music.

The band has IMHO a definite "bright" sound in the cornet (trumpet?)
section, although the liner notes list a cornet section it sounds like
there are trumpets on many occasions.  There's also a piano (Jeff
Kressler) and guitar (Rick Whitehead). Not to mention a drummer who
knows and can play jazz. The band swings, quite aside from the guest
soloist Marvin Stamm, trumpet and flugel. There are solos by other
members that illustrate the jazz tradition and influence in the playing.
Vince DiMartino, for example.

(Just an aside, the album lists 1 Sop, 5 solo cornets, 1 Rep, 3 seconds,
3 thirds, Flugel, 4 Tenor horns, 2 Baritones, 4 Tenor Trombones, 1 Bass
Trombone, 2 Euphs, 2 Eb Basses, 2 Bb Basses, 5 percussionists, piano,
guitar)

There's some subperb writing here, too.  One name that should be
familiar is Mark Freeh (remember the recent exchanges?). Three of his
arrangement are on the Cd ..An Ellington Portrait, Old Man River, and a
long-standing favourite of mine, Laura.  IMHO these are great charts.
Well written, tasteful, interesting, swinging music.

There's also an original by Jeff Tyzik (director, trumpet, composer,
conductor ... the list goes on) which beautifully captures the mood of
Neil Hefti's incredible Lil Darlin' recorded by Count Basie. 

This is American music, by an American Band with American Jazz roots and
background.  A different sound and feel from Other bands, and well worth
a listen.

Sorry to go on.  I just like it a lot.

Oh yes, there's no string bass, but the sound from the Eb's and Bb's
would challenge the most discerning ear!

Lloyd Hiscock
Wanna-be composer, and working at it.


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