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Very Fine Modern Big Band Jazz

John Tapscott | Canada | 09/16/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very well recorded and well played CD of modern, hard-swinging big band jazz. The orchestra is led by Mike Vax, who was Stan Kenton's lead trumpet player in the early '70's, and has been active since then as a band leader, clinician, and jazz soloist. Vax clearly knows what it takes to make big band jazz tick and he puts it all together on this very fine CD. The musicians are from the Bay Area of California and Vax has brought them together in a band which sounds tight and well rehearsed. The groove is mainly hardswinging and straight-ahead, which is fine by me, but there are some Latin and contemporary grooves as well which gives the CD plenty of variety. The fine vocalist Cami Thompson appears on two tracks and adds further variety to this 72 minute CD. I am not a huge fan of vocalists with a big band, but I have to say that I enjoy Thompson's contributions to this CD.

Vax himself is the main soloist on trumpet and flugelhorn and he is outstanding on "Love Theme from Hair", "La Virgen de Macarena" and Lennie Niehaus' swinging "Vax Attacks." Other fine soloists include saxophonist Scott Peterson, trombonist Peggy Vax, trumpeter Mike Olmos, and guitarist Randy Vincent. By my count, 16 different soloists are featured to good advantage. Ten different arrangers contribute to the CD and my only slight critcism is that the charts, while very challenging, are, in some cases, not particularly original. There is one chart taken directly from the Kenton band book and another from Count Basie's, which are most welcome. But as veteran big band fans listen to the other charts, they may find themselves thinking -- I've heard something like that before - where was it - McConnell, Kenton, Rich, Ferguson? Overall however, this is a CD that will be much appreciated and enjoyed by fans of Big Band Jazz, including many student musicians. I have played this CD as much as any I've bought in 2002. Warmly recommended."

Hot Big Band jazz

Dean R. Canty | 12/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A tremendous contribution to the Big Band jazz tradition, this CD proves that the genre is still vibrant and meaningful for today's musicians and audiences. Two thumbs up - outstandingly tight performances all the way around."

Mike Vax Big Band

Dean R. Canty | Edinburg, Texas United States | 04/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This product is an excellent performance by some of the best in the

big band business. Excellent playing, solos and arrangements."