Big band jazz has a home in Vancouver, B.C. …
Vancouver Jazz Orchestra Meets Brian Charette – Cellar Music Group # CMF0552925 – CD – 59:49 – *****
(James Danderfer – lead alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet; Geoff Claridge – alto & soprano sax, clarinet; Steve Kaldestad – tenor sax; Connor Lum – tenor sax; Mia Gazley – baritone sax, bass clarinet; Andy Hunter – lead trombone; Nebyu Yohannes & Ellen Marple – trombone; Jim Hopson – bass trombone; Michael Kim – lead trumpet; Derry Byrne, Jocelyn Waugh & Julian Borkowski – trumpet; Dave Sikula – guitar; David Caballero – bass; Jesse Cahill – drums; Jack Duncan – percussion; Brian Charette – Hammond organ;
Brad Turner – trumpet (#4,5) – Cory Weeds – tenor sax (#10) )
Having a dream of starting up a jazz big band in a major Canadian city with the capability to make a debut CD that can be compared to more well established regional bands, takes vision, skill, long range planning and much support, for this to be more than a “pipe dream” with good intentions, but not enough follow through.
Fortunately for multi- instrumentalist, James Danderfer, living in Vancouver, B.C., it’s also the stomping grounds of saxophonist, Cory Weeds. Cory is the founder of Cellar Music Group, a label that can hold its own with the best of jazz labels, specializing in mostly straight-ahead swinging releases, with an emphasis on hard bop and soul jazz. Weeds is an entrepreneur, who in addition to performing himself, both promotes and produces superb releases on his label. Cory had the wherewithal to assist Danderfer with the work in putting together this dream project.
The dream is now complete with the release of the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra Meets Brian Charette. Right out of the box, it’s a sure fire winner. There is not a weak track here. No filler. It swings like mad. Including noted Hammond organist, Brian Charette, could have been a risk, as there are few big bands that include the Hammond organ as a lead instrument. The “greasy” sound of the Hammond usually fits a small grouping, with maybe a saxophonist and guitarist. Here, Brian does more than provide a strong background, as he complements the “heat” that this horn heavy band brings. No intrusion, just fitting in “just right,” adding requisite swing to the heft that the horns provide.
In addition to Charette, the inclusion of trombonist, Andy Hunter, who is spending a year in Vancouver, is a savvy move, as Andy brings in the experience he gained with the WDR Big Band from Germany. Local trumpet legend Brad Turner (his CD on Cellar Music is a “must-have” for trumpet fans) adds his fire to “As Luck Would Have It,” and also on Herbie Hancock’s classic, “The Sorcerer.”
Band members contribute in writing nearly all the other tracks. The arrangements are tight, and there is a polish to the finished product that has to elicit pride in the years work to bring this dream to a fruition.
Other great tracks include Jill Townsend’s arrangement on “Don’t Call Before 10,” that honors the memory of local musician, Ross Taggart, as well Brian Charette’s “Honeymoon Phase,” that shows his mastery of the Hammond, as well as the closer, Danderfer’s “The Same Od You With the Same Old Blues,” that brings the VJO Executive Director, Mr. Weeds, into the mix, to end this near one hour excursion to a happy close.
Big band jazz has a home in Vancouver, and now it’s time to let the down stairs neighbors in the U.S. know its not just The Big Apple that can provide the feel good music that jazz big band fans love. All 17 pieces of the VJO deserve praise for helping James Vanderfer and Cory Weeds show that VanCity can hang with the best…
—Jeff Krow
Tracklist:
Equestrian Interlude,
Don’t Call Before 10,
Lado A Lado,
As Luck Would Have it,
The Sorcerer,
Shimmy!,
Oh Brother,
Colour Contrast,
Honeymoon Phase,
The Same Old You With the Same Old Blues
