CD Review: Doug MacDonald, "Big Band Extravaganza"

Guitarist, Composer and Arranger Doug MacDonald has recently released his first CD by the Doug MacDonald Big Band.  Doug leads the 17-piece Jazz Orchestra performing 9 original compositions and one Gershwin standard, "But Not For Me".  Doug has done recordings with almost every configuration but this is his first try at leading a Big Swinging Band.  Lovers of the big band sound will love this CD and this is another milestone Doug can add to his rich resume.  Doug is one of the premier, in demand Guitarists performing today.  He has recorded with Buddy Rich, Ray Charles, Bill Holman and Jack Sheldon, just to name a few.  He also has published several terrific new CDs over the past couple of years that I have reviewed.  

Considering the fact that Doug performs live almost every night in the Southern California area, I have no idea how he finds time to compose and arrange beautiful music, MC a Jazz radio show and release two or three new CDs every year.   Doug is a dedicated Jazz musician who is committed to keeping Jazz alive and well!  

The "Big Band Extravaganza" showcases the big band's swinging sound thanks to Doug's excellent compositions and brilliant arrangements.  Doug has brought together some of the finest musicians in the country to perform his songs on this CD.   The results will be satisfying to every Jazz fan and especially to the lovers of the historical big band sound.

I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure.  The first one is the MacDonald original, "Ya Know Bill".   This performance contains solos from Trumpeter Carl Saunders who sadly recently died.  Those of you who are familiar with Carl Saunders work,  know what a big loss this is for the Jazz world; RIP Carl!

The second cut I have attached is the Gershwin classic, "But Not For Me" with a great solo from Rickey Woodard on Tenor Sax.

PLAYLIST:

1.  Toluca Lake Jazz

2. Rashomon

3. Luces Azules

4. Aventura En Triadas

5. Desert Jazz

6. Luz De Amour

7. De Ha

8. But Not For Me

9. Minor Mess

10. Ya Know Bill

PLAYERS:

Doug MacDonald- Guitar, Leader, Composer, Arranger

Kim Richmond, Alex Budman- Alto Sax

Rickey Woodard, Glen Berger- Tenor Sax

Tim McKay- Baritone Jazz

Ira Nepus, Les Benedict, Ivan Malespin, Rich Bullock- Trombones

Mike Campagna, Dan Fornero, Aaron Janik, Carl Saunders- Trumpets

Bill Cunlifffe- Piano (Day 1)

Andy Langham- Piano (Day 2)

Chuck Berghofer- Bass

Paul Kreibich- Drums

                                                                "Ya Know Bill"

                                                                   "But Not For Me"

                      

CD Pre-Release Review: "Jason Lee Bruns Jazz Collection"

Jason Lee Bruns

The Jason Lee Bruns Jazz Collection is an 8-piece group based in Los Angles, CA that was founded and led by Ohio-born Percussionist, Drummer and Composer Jason Lee Bruns. It is not often that you can find a band that has a Drummer as its leader, but that's what this CD is all about. What do Drummers think about when they provide the rhythmic foundation for the bands they support?  My guess is they think about different beats and sounds and their own unique arrangements  that they feel would do more justice to the songs they are performing. But does anyone ever stop and ask a drummer how he would approach the tempo or the arrangement of a song? Probably not;  well maybe Paul McCartney because he loves experimenting with sounds and let's not forget, Paul is a major class drummer also!

Well along comes Jason Lee Bruns, a Drummer's Drummer who gets to call his own shots and comes up with tempos, sounds and arrangements that appeal to him. But Jason Lee Bruns is not just on a musical ego trip here. For his CD he gathered 7 outstanding players to support him in this effort.  The results are spectacular, providing the listener with fresh, new sounds and rhythms that bring new life into some evergreens that might need some refreshing.  The new writing and arranging on this CD are wonderful. Jason wrote 5 arrangements for the 9 songs on the CD.  He also composed two of the songs.

This CD cooks and any Jazz buff will love every song.  My favorites included the classic Johnny Mercer tune, "Autumn Leaves" which is played seriously upbeat with a knockout arrangement produced by Jason. Kevin Bachelder does the vocals which includes great scatting that works perfectly with the backing of the group. Kevin also had a hand in my second favorite on the CD, "Send In The Clowns".  Kevin did the vocal and also the great arrangement of this Sondheim gem. Unlike Sinatra's version, that was then and this arrangement and tempo are now. This arrangement should be released as a single, it is really fabulous! K. Richmond did the arrangement for "Speak Low" which is worth listening to also.

The wonderful group of supporting musicians on this CD are listed below:

Jason Lee Bruns, Drums, Pandeiro, arrangements, producer
Mahesh Balasooriya, Piano
Edwin Livingston, Upright Bass
Angelo Metz, Guitar, Portuguese vocals, scat, cuica
Kevin Bachelder, English vocals, scat, arrangements
Kim Richmond, Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, arrangements
Jason Gamer, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Jacquez Voyemant, Trombone

This CD was recorded live at the Catalina Jazz Club on Sunset Strip in Hollywood, CA.  The CD has a street release date of  September 24 2013.