PETER FURLAN

PETER FURLAN PROJECT LIVE AT MAUREEN’S JAZZ CELLAR

Beany Bops Records

Peter Furlan, composer/arranger/tenor & soprano saxophone; Vinnie Cutro, trumpet/flugelhorn; Andrew Beals, alto saxophone; Erick Storckman, trombone; Brad Hubbard, baritone saxophone/ bass clarinet; Neil “The Nail” Alexander, piano; Joel Newton, guitar; Charlie Dougherty, bass; Nadev Snir-Zelniker, drums. 

Peter Furlan’s group recorded this album at one of the coolest jazz clubs in New York’s Hudson Valley, “Maureen’s Jazz Cellar.”  It features a group of seasoned East coast musicians performing compositions and arrangements by Furlan, a player respected for his formidable chops and boundless creativity. It was recorded in the summer of 2025 and is a collection of Furlan’s original compositions.

They open with “Return to the Be-Bop Tango” which is an unusual title.  The band’s arrangement combines Straight-ahead with tango music in a smooth and energetic way. Vinnie Cutro is the first to step into the spotlight and woo us on trumpet. The rhythm section makes me want to sway my hips and dance across my listening room. Nadav Snir-Zelniker takes a brief but delicious drum solo.  The party is on!

An original composition by Furlan called “The Ice Committee features his improvised solo on soprano saxophone.

An original composition by Furlan called “The Ice Committee features his improvised solo on soprano saxophone, followed by Vinnie Cutro’s fluid horn solo. All the while, the big band horn section punches and elevates the arrangement.

On Track #5, “Blues Squared” the piano player known as “The Nail” plays an amazing solo and puts a capital B in the blues. This tune is spurred forward by the dynamic drums of Snir-Zelniker and the electric guitar solo of Joel Newton. Brad Hubbard brings his baritone sax to the spotlight during a brief, but powerful solo.

I am enthralled with one of Furlan’s composition’s called “The Crawl Too” that is a strong mixture of modern jazz with a traditional swing groove.

He has performed and recorded with a long list of luminaries including Dizzy Gillespie Eddie Henderson, Frank Foster, Brian Lynch, The Temptations, The Four Tops and more. The diversity of these musical experiences inspire Peter Furlan on his saxophones and enrich his composer skills.  This album and the band members bring his compositions to life in a lovely way.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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