“LIVE...On The Road”
The Mike Vax Big Band, Featuring the Stan Kenton Alumni
Summit Records (DCD 356)At the end of the prologue, on the New Concepts of Artistry In Rhythm recording, Stan Kenton shouted “This is an Orchestra!” Stan must have been shouting the same thing, from the heavens, each night during the Spring of 2001 East Coast tour, of the Mike Vax Big Band, featuring the Stan Kenton Alumni!
The sax section “was to die for” with Kim Richmond, Bruce Johnstone, Bob Keller, Pete Gallio and Joel Kaye. The trumpet section, (Mike Vax, Dennis Noday, John Harner, Steve Campos and Steve Huffsteter) to quote Doug Hughes, “could peel off that old wallpaper you need removed in your home.”
And, what could be said about those five trombones, (Roy Wiegand, Dale DeVoe, Curtis Fox, Kenny Shroyer, and Mike Suter) that brought tears of joy to many of the faithful Kenton fans, who attended the concerts. The Rhythm section (Gary Hobbs, Jim Widner, John Akal, and Liz Sesler-Beckman) was like a finely tuned luxury car. The soloists, and section leaders, in the Alumni Band, were some of the greatest ever to grace the Kenton bandstand.
Selections:
- Speak Low
HEAR IT! (1.01MB MP3)- Here's That Rainy Day
HEAR IT! (1.21MB MP3)- Nada Mas
- Stompin' At The Savoy
HEAR IT! (1.26B MP3)- Everything Happens To Me
- Sunrise Lady
- Theme & Variations
- Big Sur
HEAR IT! (1.32MB MP3)- Circe
- MacArthur Park
- I Remember You
HEAR IT! (946KB MP3)- Espania
- Fall Ascending
- Eager Beaver
Personnel: Trumpets: Mike Vax
Dennis Noday
John Harner
Steve Huffsteter
Steve CamposTrombones: Roy Wiegand
Dale DeVoe
Curtis Fox
Kenny Shroyer
Mike SuterSaxes: Kim Richmond
Pete Gallio
Bob Keller
Bruce Johnstone
Joel KayeRhythm: Gary Hobbs (Drums)
John Akal (Latin Percussion)
Jim Widner (Bass)
Liz Sesler-Beckman (Piano)Also: Mark Gruen (Bass)
Dave Detweiler (Trumpet)CD Review
For anyone who missed the "big-band era" and is wondering what all the fuss was about, the Mike Vax Big Band's Live . . . On the Road should be required listening. In a more enlightened world it would be the music of choice for many others as well, but we'll let that pass. Suffice to say that those who appreciate sharp and swinging big bands will surely dig this album, recorded during the ensemble's East Coast tour nearly two years ago. While Vax and many of his colleagues are alumni of the renowned Stan Kenton Orchestra, and several of the charts were taken from the Kenton book, the leader is quick to point out in the sleevenotes that "we are not a 'ghost band' . . . [but] a living, breathing entity, and we take pride in the new, original music that we play while still staying in the 'Kenton style'." That style, as Kenton enthusiasts well know, embodied enormously demanding charts punctuated by varying rhythmic patterns, volcanic brass outbursts, virtuosic saxophone ripostes and vibrant solos by some of the finest improvisers in the business. The MVBB ardently upholds that tradition while adding some new wrinkles of its own in the form of dynamic themes by trumpeter Steve Huffsteter ("Espania") and saxophonists Kim Richmond ("Big Sur," "Fall Ascending"), Bruce Johnstone ("Sunrise Lady") and Joel Kaye ("Circe") to complement eight classic charts from the Kenton library and one ("MacArthur Park") associated with one of Stan's many superlative lead trumpeters, Maynard Ferguson. (Speaking of which, I don't know whose idea it was to have the band sing the chorus en masse but I've heard better ones.)
The band springs from the chute to overpower Johnny Richards' bristling arrangement of Kurt Weill's "Speak Low" (solos by Huffsteter, Richmond and tenor Pete Gallio, melody by trombonist Curtis Fox), after which the trombones gently introduce Dee Barton's sensuous treatment of "Here's That Rainy Day," a charming platform for pianist Liz Sesler-Beckman and trumpeters Steve Campos (muted) and Vax. Richards' "Nada Mas," smartly arranged by Kaye to showcase tenor Bob Keller, precedes "Stompin' at the Savoy," the first of three exemplary charts by Bill Holman, on which Sesler-Beckman invokes the spirit of Kenton to jump-start electrifying solos by Campos and baritone Johnstone. Richmond (alto) is superb on his shimmering arrangement of "Everything Happens to Me," as is Johnstone on the boisterous "Sunrise Lady."
Holman's seductive "Theme and Variations" is next, followed by Richmond's stormy "Big Sur" (commentary by tenor Gallio and trumpeter Huffsteter, pyrotechnics courtesy of super-drummer Gary Hobbs and percussionist John Akal) and Kaye's rhythmically lavish "Circe" (featuring Huffsteter, Richmond and trombonist Roy Wiegand). Barton arranged "MacArthur Park" (spurred toward the finish line by Akal's bellowing countdown), Holman the irresistible Victor Scherzinger / Johnny Mercer standard, "I Remember You." There's more robust soloing on that one by Richmond and Huffsteter whose colorful "Epania," which follows, spotlights Gallio's expressive tenor. Richmond moves to soprano for his assertive "Fall Asending," earmarking blowing space as well for Gallio, Huffsteter and trumpeter John Harner. And what more appropriate way to lower the curtain than to salute the man who inspired it all, the incomparable Stanley Newcomb Kenton, with an exhilarating rendition of Stan's "Eager Beaver," arranged for the MVBB by Dave Wolpe.
While nothing can approach the spine-tingling thrill and hair-raising excitement of actually seeing and hearing a band of this caliber in person, listening to it on a sonically agreeable compact disc (kudos to engineer Dave Clements) has to be the next best thing. As Stan himself would have announced in his thunderous baritone, "This is an orchestra!" And that says it all.
-- Jack Bowers
All About Jazz.comTour Reviews
"This trumpet section could peel off that old wallpaper you need removed from your home.
Liz Sesler-Beckman's tasty intro was quite inventive. She covered all 88 just as Kenton often did.
The sound was as tight as you'd expect considering they've been playing together for four weeks now. Oops, that's four days. I got confused since it sounds like they've been together four weeks.
A few more young people will be buying big band, rather than rap, CDs at Tower next trip thanks to Mike and the gal and guys."
-- Doug Hughes in Annapolis
Boston Ryles Jazz Club
"As I wrote earlier, the band SMOKED and was ON FIRE. Inman Square has it's own fire and rescue unit right next to Ryles, and as the band was ON FIRE thru the night, the sirens blared.....but could not drown out this powerful band....the sections and the Eliminator took care of that....the oven's roar inside the club, dominated the sirens' blare outside the club."
"The band was SOMEHWERE! And it was socking its socks off... Don't miss it if you are within 200 miles of the venue..."
-- Tony Agostinelli, Editor
The Network"I've seen ghost bands, some of my favorite bands are now conducted by ghosts. And, Mike Vax, you're no ghost leader. You're an original.
Last night's experience at Ryle's had a musical impact that has been lacking for 20+ years. I was brought to tears on the very first number
This is how the Kenton legacy, in my opinion, should be treated. As an inspiration, not as the foundation for nostalgia."
-- Ed Bride
