Musicians: John Burnett (director), Bob Frankich, Nick Mazarella, Doug Stone, Anthony Bruno, Bruce Mack (saxophones), Terry Connell,Mike McGrath,Greg Duncan, Tony Pons (trumpets), Bryant Scott, Adam Gross, Dana Legg, Bill Walsh (trombones), Mark Burnell (piano). Jason Moran (guitar), Paul Martin (bass), Bill Byan (drums), Frieda Lee (vocals), and featuring special guest Randy Sandke.
Review: West of State Street / East of Harlem presents The John Burnett Swing Orchestra at a Sunday gig in February 2008 at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, Illinois, where the band made its 1999 debut. Its founder and director is John Burnett, the morning host of 90.9 WDBC, Chicago's major jazz station. The musicians play with the enthusiasm that comes from bringing a fresh touch to the big band tradition. This group is not on a nostalgia trip - and they sure do swing!
"Flight of the Foo Birds," written by the late Neal Hefti for the Basie band, opens the set and shows Bill Byan to be a first-rate big band drummer. There are several more salutes to the Count: Sammy Nestico's "How Sweet It Is" with Mike McGrath on muted trumpet, his light and linear "Sweet Georgia Brown," "One O' Clock Jump" with a host of solos, superb dynamics, and pianist Mark Burnell doing the Basie thing, plus the wonderfully familiar "April in Paris."
Don Menza's "Groovin' Hard." originally done for Buddy Rich, lives up to its name and showcases Doug Stone's tenor. The heated "Love For Sale" arrangement is also from Buddy's book.
The engaging voice of Frieda Lee takes us back a few years with "Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere," a Lee Wiley favorite, and the short but sweet " Ten Cents A Dance."
Special guest Randy Sandke, who knows how to make a trumpet sizzle, pays tribute to his predecessors. Dizzy's "Night in Tunisia," is followed by an updated "Struttin' With Some Barbecue" which also has trombonist Bryant Scott adding a touch of hot sauce. "Hello Dolly" has Sandke on trumpet and trumpeter Tony Pons from the band on Satchmo voice. Roy Eldridge's intensity is captured with "Little Jazz Boogie." He bought these and several other interesting charts to the session.
Sandke is heard reminding the audience that it isn't easy to maintain a big band in 2008. It may not be easy but West of State Street / East of Harlem proves that it sure is worthwhile.
Tracks: Flight of the Foo Birds, Groovin' Hard, How Sweet It Is, Night In Tunisia, Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere, Struttin' With Some Barbecue, Ten Cents A Dance, One O'Clock Jump, Hello Dolly, Little Jazz Boogie Witchcraft, How Long Has This Been Going On?, Sweet Georgia Brown, Begin The Beguine, April In Paris, Love For Sale.
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