JOE SYRIAN MOTOR CITY JAZZ OCTET

A BLUE TIME

Circle 9 Records

This album starts out slow swinging their arrangement on the standard jazz tune, “Jordu.” Composed by Duke Jordan and arranged by trombonist, John Fedchock, it features a fresh face. Solos by baritone saxophonist Carl Maraghi are highlighted. Doug Beaveers shines on trombone and up steps Paul Bollenback who never disappoints with his guitar innovation.  Paul also adds his creative improvisation to the Carlos Jobim composition, “Aqua de Beber” keeping the Latin flavor front and center, but with Syrian adding funk drums.

Drummer, Joe Syrian transforms each familiar tune with sonic experimentation, fresh arrangements and the talents of veteran musicians who thrive incorporating rock, pop, blues and Latin music into their popular jazz band. They had me enjoying these songs from an entirely different perspective.

On “Teach Me Tonight” they added the enjoyable vocals of Lucy Yeghlazaryan, enhancing their slow-swing arrangement. I’m impressed  when Adam Birnbaum adds his improvisation during a tasty piano solo. The horn section soars.

Their rendition of Henry Mancini’s 1963 hit record, “Charade” has a Middle Eastern flair to the arrangement. It sets a very romantic mood featuring Maraghi on bass clarinet and Beaver’s trombone. Surprisingly, “Nature Boy” takes on an Afro-Latin groove, with alluring harmonics in the busy horn section. Their rendition of “Sway” made me want to samba dance. The guitar solo is spontaneous and joyful.

This is big band music rich in creativity, smooth as velvet, and pulsing with exotic rhythms, medium swing tunes and refreshing arrangements.

JOE SYRIAN MOTOR CITY JAZZ OCTET: Joe Syrian, drums; Adam Birnbaum, piano; Paul Bollenback, acoustic & electric guitars/banjo; Lorin Cohen & Boris Kozlov, acoustic & electric bass; Carl Maraghi, alto & baritone saxophone; Tim Ries, tenor saxophone; Dave Riekenberg, tenor saxophone/bass clarinet; Nick Marchione, trumpet/flugelhorn; Doug Beavers, trombone. SPECIAL GUESTS: Lucy Yeghlazaryan, lead vocal; Luisito Quintero, percussion.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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