BEN MARKLEY BIG BAND

TUESDAY MORNING FEELING

OA2 Record label

Ben Markley has taken two creative, original compositions by Cedar Walton and transformed them into stellar big band arrangements: “NPS” and “Groundwork.” The Big Band has also taken on the Thelonious Monk composition, “Off Minor” and the popular Willard Robison/Dedette Lee Hill standard, “Old Folks.”  The rest of the music on this album is written and arranged by Ben Markley himself.

They open with his “Tell the Truth” composition that begins with the bass of David Wong and the poppin’ drums of Kyle Swan at the introduction, setting both mood and tempo.  When the horns come racing in, the energy is palpable.  Steve Nelson’s vibes swing and add fire to the arrangement. Ben Markley’s piano takes a jazz improvisational solo for my listening pleasure. Wong’s bass walks right beside him, never missing a beat.

Pianist and band leader, Ben Markley has made a turning point with the release of this album. Formerly he only arranged and recorded standard tunes. This time he is offering us his composer skills.  A tune called “Jife” ambles into my listening room with an Afro-Cuban introduction at a moderate pace. The horn lines boldly invigorate my listening space. They pull back the curtains for Steve Kovalcheck to walk through and offer his guitar improvisation.  Remy Le Boeuf shines on alto saxophone, quieting the arrangement in a fluid, sweet way.

The core group of Ben Markley’s Big Band are among Colorado’s A-list musicians and have been playing together since 2017. Towards the end of this “Jife” arrangement, Kyle Swan shows off his drum skills with power and precision.  I also enjoyed the “Snowy Range Blues” arrangement with that hot ‘guest trumpet and trombone section’ lifting the tune, along with vibraphone magic from Steve Nelson. Terell Stafford shows off his genius on trumpet during a high-flying solo.

Markly shows his ability to arrange and pair his long-standing core of musicians with guest artists from around the country. Together, along with Ben Markley’s original compositions, they represent a powerhouse band!

BEN MARKLEY’S BIG BAND: Rhythm: Ben Markley, piano/composer/arranger; Steve Nelson, vibes; Steve Kovalcheck, guitar; David Wong, bass; Kyle Swan, drums. SAXOPHONES: Wil Swindler, alto & soprano saxophones; Remy Le Boeuf, alto saxophone/flute; Peter Sommer & Jared Cathey, tenor saxophones; Sam Williams, baritone sax. TRUMPETS: Bijon Watson, Dawn Kramer, Terell Stafford, Gabriel Mervine. TROMBONES: Darren Kramer, Steve Davis, Stafford Hunter & Jon Gauer.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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