VANCOUVER JAZZ ORCHESTRA

MEETS BRIAN CHARETTE

Cellar Records

Brian Charette makes his appearance on the Hammond Organ, bright and boisterous on the orchestra’s opening tune titled, “Equestrian Interlude.”  This is certainly an appropriate title celebrating this Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse. Steve Kaldestad makes magic with an outstanding improvised tenor saxophone solo.

On this debut recording by the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra you will view a glimpse of their dedication to showcasing local composers and arrangers, along with a celebration of Vancouver’s artistic musical community. Some of the best jazz musicians in Canada and beyond join ranks with New York organist and pianist, Brian Charette, to offer a package of exciting original jazz tunes and well-arranged music.

Track #3, “Lado A Lado” surprises me with a rich percussion solo arrangement near the end of the tune that spotlights the super talents of drummer Jesse Cahill and percussionist, Jack Duncan.  Julian Barkowski is also featured on trumpet.

Artistic Director, James Danderfer had a vision. It was a 17-piece jazz orchestra that would record and present concerts, keeping the rich American jazz music alive and well- represented in his native birthplace of Vancouver and beyond. It took him nearly a year, but Danderfer has pulled it off with this entertaining and well-played album.  The orchestra shines. The arrangements are creative and provocative, interpreted by an excellent cast of musical masters, with Cory Weeds guidance as Executive Director along with contributions as a tenor sax participant.  Cory solos on their final tune, a blues that swings called “The Same Old You with the Same Old Blues,” which quickly becomes one of my favorites!

ORCHESTRA MEMBERS: RHYTHM: Dave Sikula, guitar; David Caballero, bass; Jesse Cahill, drums; Jack Duncan, percussion; SPECIAL GUEST: Brian Charett, Hammond Organ. SAXOPHONES: James Danderfer, lead alto saxophone/soprano sax/clarinet; Geoff Claridge, alto & soprano sax/clarinet; Steve Kaldestad, Cory Weeds & Connor Lum, tenor saxophones; Mia Gazley, baritone saxophone/bass clarinet. TRUMPETS: Michael Kim, (lead); Derry Byrne, Jocelyn Waugh, Julian Burkowski &  Brad Turner. TROMBONES: Andy Hunter, (lead); Nebyu Yohannes, Ellen Marpie & Jim Hopson (bass trombone). Artistic Director, James Danderfer. Executive Director, Cory Weeds.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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