Pratt Brothers Big Band

SIXTEEN MEN & A CHICK SINGER SWINGIN'P

Guest: Roberta Gambarini

Consolidated Artists Productions

This is the second CD by a consistently excellent East Coast Jazz Big Band; bristling with top session men who have performed with Herman, Basie, Rich and many more.

Of the 10 tracks, four are vocals. It is worth mentioning now that here we have a true singer of jazz music, equally at home with a roaring big band or subtly extracting the inner truths of ballads when the arrangers induce the ensemble to take the role of a small group. Ms. Gambarini has listened to and learned from the greats. So many vocalists seem to go to the same rent-a-voice source and seemed satisfied to sound just about as bad as, and identical to every other vocalist who does not know, or want to know about working to perfect their art; to develop a style and an ability which will last a lifetime. This lady is the real thing and the band is blessed to have access to her talents. As a thank you they ensure that her abilities to seduce as well as swing are encouraged with excellent jazz arraignments.

On the six remaining tracks, we are reminded of the relentless power and drive of Herman or Rich through arraignment by Ernie Wilkins, Rich Shemaria, FrankWess, Don Piestrup and MikeAbene.

Yet another album, highly recommended by Mainly Big Bands. I will have in in stock mid-February 2005.

Tracks