 What
Are We Here For? - Sea Breeze Jazz November 1996
A band with no discernible weaknesses,
one that fairly bristles with vitalityand enthusiasm, that
reduces even the most formidable charts and demanding unison passages
to ho-hum routine - what more could one ask from any ensemble? Rob Parton's
Jazztech Band, in its third release for Sea Breeze, delivers all of this
and more. This is, simply put, one of the finest bands you're likely to
hear anywhere or any time, and the fact that Parton has beaten the odds
to establish and maintain a group of this caliber in Chicago ismore than
somewhat astonishing. But beaten them he has, and those who appreciatethe
electrifying sound of 16 accomplished musicians playing as one arethe
better for it.
From the first fleet notes of Bob Florence's "PartyHearty,"
delivered with exceptional flair by young pianist Karl
Montzka, to the end of the band's saucy stroll down "Green
Dolphin Street,"this is a session overflowing with
delightful music and happy surprises.For starters, there's
chief arranger Brad Morey's superlative treatmentof
Ellington's "What Am I Here For?"; tenor saxophonist Colby'sintensely
personal and individualistic solos on "How Deep Is the Ocean?"and
"Sail Away"; trombonist Antonio Garcia's hauntingly lovelyballad,
"For Maria" (reminiscent of Neal Hefti's classic "Li'lDarlin'");
lead alto Frankich's memorable improvisation on Morey's soulful arrangement
of "When Sunny Gets Blue"; and of course,Parton's exquisite
excursions on flugelhorn ("Just a Pretty LittleThing") and trumpet
("My Romance") as well as his flawlesslead on seven other tracks.
The other soloists - Montzka; trumpeters Davis,McGrath, and Wagstaff;
trombonist Jacobi; alto Nevins; tenor Budzik, and drummer Walker (playing
his final gig with
the band before moving eastto New York City) - leave nothing to be desired
either. And we mustn't overlook the band's newest soloist - vocalist Kristy
Smith, making themost of her recorded debut on the standards "'Deed
I Do" and"It's Only a Paper Moon" (with excellent support
from the bandon each). There aren't many occasions on which a big-bandsession
can be recommended without any qualification
whatsoever; this isone of those occasions.
Questions or comments can be sent to rparton@rparton.com
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Performance
Schedule
click above!
To order this CD go to CDbaby.com.
We will have each of the other five CD's on CDbaby.com very soon.
For booking information please email us at kristy@rparton.com or call
708-763-8822.
We are available for travel anywhere!
Additional
CD's available
Fascinatin
Rhythm
What
Are We Here For?
The
Count Is In!
Rob
Parton's JAZZTECH Big Band with Conte Candoli
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