THE INTERPLAY JAZZ ORCHESTRA

BITE YOUR TONGUE

Bigtime Records

Led by Joey Devassy and Gary Henderson, the “Interplay Jazz Orchestra” is a collective developed over the past dozen years, to feature compositions and arrangements by band members. This album highlights the diversity of the orchestra’s individual writing voices, while at the same time, spotlighting every member of the orchestra with solo opportunities.

They open with the Johnny Griffin tune, “The Congregation.” It swings and shuffles across my listening room, making me feel quite at home.  The horns dance and introduce the catchy melody of this Griffin favorite.  Midway through, they turn the arrangement into a joyful jazz waltz. Trumpeter Damien Pacheco has arranged this piece, and he also solos. Brent Chiarello lends his improvised trombone solo to the arrangement, as does James Miceli on alto saxophone.

The title tune, “Bite Your Tongue” is a Joey Devassy original composition, a contrafact of Freddie Hubbard’s “Red Clay” jazz standard.  I love the bass line on this tune, played competently by Dave Lobenstein and exactly like the “Red Clay” melody.  His golden bassline threads through the tune, emphasizing the memorable Freddie Hubbard hit record.  Cameron Escovedo is brightly featured on power drums. I enjoyed the bluesy horn of John Marshall on tenor saxophone and the punchy horn lines arranged by Devassy.

“Go Figure” is another great tune, this one written by Chris Scarnato, a very fine baritone sax player. The orchestra swings this song with power and excitement. Alejandro Aviles is featured on tenor saxophone.

One of my favorite ballads is “My Foolish Heart.”  Damien Pacheco offers a warm and emotional solo on his trumpet. After the first time down, the orchestra colors the arrangement with a Latin flair.

You will enjoy the orchestrated arrangements of familiar tunes by Cole Porter, Victor Young, and Roy Hargrove, inter-spiced by original compositions, featuring a few ‘Interplay Jazz orchestra’ composers. Their compositions sound like jazz standards.  The orchestra mixes traditional jazz with more modern arrangements and spotlights their super talented band members. This production is delightful to the ears.

THE INTERPLAY JAZZ ORCHESTRA: Jay Orig, piano; Dave Lobenstein, bass; Cameron Escovedo, drums; SAXOPHONES: Chris Donohue, alto & soprano sax/flute; James Miceli, alto sax/flute; Luke Norris, alto saxophone; John Marshall & Alejandro Aviles, tenor sax;  Chris Scarnato, baritone saxophone. TROMBONES: Brent Chiarello, Joey Devassy, Steve Barbieri, John Passanante, & Eric Gottesman. TRUMPETS: Mike Rubenstein, Damien Pacheco, Baron Lewis, & Gary Henderson. COMPOSERS: Joey Devassy, Chris Scarnato. ARRANGERS: Damien Pacheco, Joey Devassy, Gary Henderson.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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