“Tales From The Sea”
THE JILL TOWNSEND BIG BAND
Pagetown Records (PTCD 001)This wonderful big band from Vancouver BC, is led by composer, arranger, Jill Townsend. This lady can write, and put together a band! Jill’s husband Bill Coon, is also a terrific writer, and guitarist. The two of them produced nine great charts for this CD, which are performed by an exceptional group of musicians. The section work is crisp and clean, and the soloists are second to none! Listen to the sound bites.
This is what noted jazz reviewer, Jack Bowers, All About Jazz, has to say about The Jill Townsend Big Band:
“This is what makes reviewing such an adventure. Just when one thinks he may have heard it all, a new big band comes out of nowhere—well, out of Vancouver, British Columbia, actually—to prove that he hasn’t, that there’s always something new under the sun, and that there’s almost nothing more rewarding than the thrill of discovering a marvelous new Jazz ensemble whose artistry and resourcefulness can best be described as breathtaking. The band in question is led by composer/arranger Jill Townsend whose debut album, Tales from the Sea, is irresistibly fresh and charming from beginning to end.”
Selections:
Personnel: Jill Townsend, composer, arranger & conductor
Campell Ryga, alto sax, soprano sax
Jack Stafford, alto sax flute, clarinet
Ross Taggart, tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet
Mike Allen, tenor sax
Chris Startup, bari saxDennis Esson, trombone
Rod Murray, trombone
Jeremy Berkman, trombone
Neil Nicholson, bass trombonePaul Baron, trumpet, flugelhorn
Derry Byrne, trumpet, flugelhorn
Brad Turner, trumpet, flugelhorn
Robin Shier, trumpet, flugelhornBill Coon, guitar
Andre Lachance, bass
dave Robbins, drums
