SHOUT SECTION BIG BAND w/TATUM LANGLEY

TATUM’S SWINGIN’ SESSION !!!

UFO Records

This band is one of Chicago’s premier big bands and has been churning out ‘swing’ music and jazz for twenty years. Their conductor is a world-class trumpeter, arranger and educator. His name is Brett T. Dean.

Not only does the band tour, they have been featured at a host of prestigious clubs across the country.  They also have been exploited on some popular, hit television shows like “The Vampire Diaries,” and on Amazon Prime’s “A League of Their Own.”   The Shout Section Big Band has been featured on radio broadcasts from local Chicago stations all the way to Japan. But currently, they have a new secret weapon.  For the past three years, they have been joined by a vocalist that adds excitement, glamor, and a three-and-a-half octave vocal range to their stage shows.  This new album celebrates Tatum Langley, a vocal powerhouse with the Shout Section Big Band.

They open with “Deedle’s Blues.”  The band is swinging, and as hot as New Orleans in the Summertime.  Tatum Langley swings right along with them, showcasing her soprano upper register at their crescendo ending.

The band follows this with a smokin’ hot rendition of “Ridin’ High.”  Once again, Ms. Tatum swings right along with them.  She brings the class of old-school jazz back to the forefront. Her background is in musical theater and Tatum brings that flair to their stage.  Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, this talented vocalist is also a seasoned actress.  This September she will present  a stage play, “A Walk Down 42^nd Street.” It’s an original Broadway cabaret, to be held at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chi-town.

Bandleader Brett T. Dean brings the best out of his musicians.  The busiest big band in Chicago has been electrifying audiences at dance halls and in concerts all across the Midwest. One of their earlier CDs was titled, “Swingin’ on the Stand.”

“In 2007 we kicked off this band,” said Brett Dean.  “It started with friends and people move on and then new people come into the band. To keep a big band going, perseverance has a lot to do with gaining success.  We all have a passion for this music. I listened to my dad’s record collection and developed a love for big bands, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and musical review soundtracks. At college, Music Education was my major.  When I came back home to Chicago, I started teaching and then I formed the Shout Section Big Band.”

Almost every tune on this album is full of swing, energy and excellence. There are a few tunes like “Sing” that are more Broadway than jazz. On “Smooth Sailing,” Tatum scats her way through the tune, incorporating some of ‘Ella’s’ licks.  All in all, It’s a great listen!

Their talented bandmembers are:  Tatum Langley, vocalist; Brett T. Dean, conductor/trumpet;  Stuart Seale & Austyn men, piano; Jack Sundstrom & Crystal Rebone, bass; T. J. Thompson, drums; Ben Crino, guitar. SAXOPHONES: Ted Holtz, Ian Letts, Bill Rank, Andy Schlinder, Michael Kennedy, Karli Bunn & Jimmy Farace; TROMBONES: Nick Roach, Andrew Meyer, Michael Nearpass, Ben Pedersen & Ben Shanbaum. TRUMPETS: Roger Ingram, Will Schmalbeck, John Dorhauer, Andrew Egizio, & Brett T. Dean.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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