KINDRED SPIRITS
Featuring Bill Watrous, Pete Christieb Bobby Shew and the spectacular lead trumpet artistry of Wayne Bergeron
The third CD by what has become one of the big bands to watch for . Two things ensure an exceptional product; first of all have access to the finest musicians on the West Coast; secondly have an arranger who can showcase that talent. As far as this orchestra is concerned you can tick both boxes. As an arranger Gary has to be considered among the best around if these three compact discs are anything to go by. Some of the world's great jazz and popular music standards are featured on this latest CD, the arrangements are breathtaking, swinging, giving ample opportunity for the stellar soloists to astonish and amaze. The ensemble writing is spectacular ( a particular strength of the arranger) and performed beautifully.
The album was recorded in February, August and November 2003 so the personnel varies slightly - see below. The music was arranged to specifically showcase the talent of Bill Watrous and Pete Christleib, although their contribution is deserving of headlining the disc, you cannot ignore the artistry of Bobby Shew, Christian Jacob and more.
The average length of the tracks is around 5 minutes and of course the titles are familiar. No excuse for broadcasters to avoid giving it air time. Ignore this album at your peril, it is exciting, dynamic and will surely impress with its occasional change of mood involving the majesty of Christleib and Watrous in ballad mode.
I will have copies of this CD in the UK very shortly (27/3/2006).