Swr Big Band A Fresh Taste Of Thad Jones & Frank Foster (2006)

End of August of 2020 the international world of jazz was celebrating “100 Years Charlie Parker”. Even those who had not noticed it before now realized that a great musician was being commemorated. Despite the COVID 19 pandemic his work and life were honoured with several projects: these included exclusive LP-editions, books and – obviously – concerts.

'I'm a musician who plays accordion, not an accordionist who plays jazz,' says Simone Zanchini, proud of a distinction that is proven by Nino - his 25th album in the 20 years. Zanchini embraces and transforms half a dozen already complexly compelling works of the great Italian soundtrack composer Nino Rota, brilliantly arranged by Jörg Achim Keller for the Frankfurt Radio Big Band.

A widely varied set on this CD from the Buddy Rich Big Band, from "Jesus Christ Superstar to " Van Morrison's "Domino" and the four-song "A Piece of the Road Suite". There are also versions of "Straight, No Chaser" and "Chelsea Bridge" included, plus good solos from tenor saxophonist Pat LaBarbera (who is well featured) and altoist Jimmy Mosher, along with high-note work from trumpeter Lin Biviano.

In 1956, Duke Ellington's show A Drum Is a Woman was broadcast on television. Although utilizing the Ellington orchestra, the emphasis was on a somewhat abstract and bizarre story line involving characters named Madame Zajj and Carribee Joe. Zajj, who is born as Joe's drum, travels the world and becomes famous but still dreams of Carribee Joe, who preferred to remain in the jungle. Forty years after the Ellington telecast, French bandleader Claude Bolling revived the story for a show and this recording. Jeffery Smith is the narrator (at times sounding a bit like Duke Ellington), and he shares the vocals with Laika and Francine Romain while joined by the Claude Bolling Orchestra. The revival performance is well done, but the original story is so odd that the results are just a historical curiosity. ~ AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

Philip David Charles Collins LVO is an English drummer, singer,songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and actor. Hewas the drummer and singer of the rock band Genesis, and is also a solo artist. Between 1982 and 1989, Collins scored three UK and seven US number-one singles in his solo career. When his work with Genesis, his work with other artists, as well as his solo career is totalled, Collins had more US Top 40 singles than any other artist during the 1980s. His most successful singles from the period include "In the Air Tonight", "Against All Odds", "One More Night", "Sussudio", "Two Hearts" and "Another Day in Paradise".

American Dreamers is a large jazz ensemble album from multi-Grammy nominated artist John Daversa and his talented Big Band. It features over 50 young Americans known as 'Dreamers' (DACA recipients) who were brought to the US as children. The musicians perform iconic songs of America such as James Brown's 'Living In America' and John Philip Sousa's 'Stars and Stripes Forever'. It's a jazz album that includes cross genre and cross-cultural influences. Putting aside politics and partisanship, everyone can enjoy the songs of America, and this album has received bipartisan support from prominent voices on both sides of the aisle. Indeed, this production shows what's possible in this country and in the world. It's a celebration of 'togetherness'.