Featured Artist: Dick Johnson
CD Title: Star Dust & Beyond
Year: 2006
Record Label: Crazy Scot Records
Style: Big Band / Swing
Musicians: Dick Johnson (leader,clarinet), Dave Chapman, Sil D'Urbano, Matt Koza, Ed Harlow, Wendy Macdonald (reeds), Jay Daly, Trent Austin, Phil Person, and Kerry MacKillop (trumpets), Doug Elliott, Chris Oberholtzer, Chris Dempsey, Leslie Havens (trombones), Paul Odeh (piano), John Wheatley (guitar), Bronek Suchanek (bass), Mark Holovnia (drums). Lou Colombo (trumpet solo on Star Dust)
Review: Dick Johnson of Brockton, MA., is known throughout New England, and a lot of other places, as a master of all the reeds. On Stardust and Beyond, a tribute to Artie Shaw, he displays the clarinet skills that impressed that perfectionist so much that he picked Johnson in 1983 to head up the recreated Artie Shaw Orchestra. This was most apt as Johnson's original musical inspiration arose from his early exposure to Shaw's playing in the movie Second Chorus.
Johnson's exciting big band combines energy and discipline and the mood is definitely Shaw's blend of romance and swing. There are some new charts of tunes that were played by Shaw, a lot that weren't, and Johnson really digs into the only vintage chart, a very up tempo "Anniversary Waltz." What makes this CD a tribute to Shaw, aside from Johnson's virtuoso clarinet, is quality musicianship and innovative arrangements. That's what Artie Shaw valued.
Arranger Jay Brandford, an alumni of the new Shaw band, turns the Gramercy Five's "Grabtown Grapple" into a swinging big band chart and brings new life to "My Romance" and "I Concentrate on You." The latter arrangement, with its two interweaving tenors, brings this Porter song all the beauty it deserves.
Ten of the imaginative charts are by the well-respected Bob Freedman. Among them are the jam session favorite, "Gone With the Wind," "Waltz For Debby," and "Fungii Mama," which have rarely been given big band treatment. "Fungii" is a romp for the soloists. "My Funny Valentine" is a gem, full of variations in rhythm and melody while Freedman's chart of Johnson's "Pray Tell" suggests that Johnson's grandkids never sit still.
No Shaw without "Star Dust." The Freedman version showcases trumpeter Lou Colombo, a natural whose music just flows. The familiar Shaw solo is written for Johnson and that oh-so-together sax section, led by Dave Chapman, the veteran lead alto of Herb Pomeroy's orchestra.
Crazy Scot Records' packaging matches the quality of the music. Incisive and complete (track by track) liner notes by musician/historian Bill Kirchner, and, thank goodness, no jewel case!
Those of us who know Dick Johnson's music have waited a long time for his first big band recording. Listen to Star Dust & Beyond. You'll understand why.
Tracks: In The Still Of The Night, Fungii Mama, Gone With The Wind, The Grabtown Grapple, Star Dust, Moody Street, My Funny Valentine, Waltz For Debby, I Concentrate On You, Anniversary Song, Bossa For Pam, When The Sun Comes Out, My Romance, Pray Tell, Sarah, Where's Dan?
Record Label Website: http://www.somerledcharitablefoundation.org
Artist's Website: http://www.dickjohnsonjazz.com
Reviewed by: Bill Falconer
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