CD Review: Pete McGuinness, "Mixed Bag"

 

Trombonist, vocalist, professor, and composer Pete McGuinness has recently released his band’s fourth CD, Mixed Bag. From the very first track, the album lives up to its name — offering a vibrant and eclectic collection of big band jazz that is both rooted in tradition and bursting with originality. McGuinness, long respected as a multifaceted musician, delivers a standout project that showcases his masterful ability to breathe new life into the large ensemble format.

The arrangements throughout the album are a highlight, brimming with creative textures, surprising turns, and a fresh sense of swing. McGuinness’s vision as a composer and arranger is unmistakable — he balances sophistication with accessibility, crafting charts that challenge the ear while remaining deeply musical and emotionally resonant.

A professor of jazz arranging at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, McGuinness brings decades of experience to this recording. He has performed with jazz legends such as Maria Schneider, Woody Herman, Jimmy Heath, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and John Fedchock. Mixed Bag reflects that depth of experience, exploring a wide range of styles and genres that contemporary jazz artists often traverse.

The ensemble — made up of seasoned New York City musicians and longtime colleagues of McGuinness — plays with sensitivity, power, and cohesion. Their chemistry is evident throughout the record. McGuinness not only leads the band with clarity but also contributes tasteful jazz vocals and expertly crafted arrangements that both honor tradition and push it forward.

Mixed Bag is a beautifully conceived and executed big band album — a blend of familiar sonorities with fresh ideas. The music is thoughtful yet swinging, complex yet highly listenable — a true testament to McGuinness’s artistry.

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PLAYERS:

Band Leader / Arranger / Vocalist

• Pete McGuinness – trombone, arranger, composer, vocals

Saxophones & Woodwinds

• Dave Pietro – alto saxophone

• Mark Phaneuf – alto saxophone

• Tom Christensen – tenor saxophone

• Rob Middleton – tenor saxophone

• Dave Riekenberg – baritone saxophone

Trumpets & Flugelhorns

• Jon Owens

• Tony Kadleck

• Bud Burridge

• Chris Rogers

Trombones

• Bruce Eidem

• Mark Patterson

• Matt Haviland

• Jeff Nelson

Rhythm Section

• Mike Holober – piano

• Bill Charlap – piano

• Mark Wade – bass

• Scott Neumann – drums

• Pete McCann – guitar (tracks 5 & 7)

Strings & Additional Instruments

• Violins: Hiroko Taguchi, Whitney LaGrange, Annaliesa Place, Caleb Burhans

• Violas: Todd Low, Angela Pickett

• Cellos: Melissa Westgate, Alon Bisk

• French horn: Chris Komer

• Flute: Steve Kenyon

PLAYLIST:

1. From This Moment On

2. Rebecca

3. The Dark Hours

4. Lilac Blues

5. Down the Rabbit Hole

6. Body and Soul

7. So in Love

8. Django

9. ’Round Midnight

10. The Sly Fox (In Memory of Bill Holman)

11. Where Do You Start?

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CD Review: Peter Leitch and The New Life Orchestra, "New Life"

 

Guitarist, Arranger and Composer Peter Leitch has just released the debut 2-disc recording with his New Life Orchestra.  Peter a respected Jazz Guitarist who has worked with some of the top names in American Jazz including Oscar Peterson, Ron Carter, Milt Jackson, Woody Shaw, Pepper Adams, Jake Byard, Jack McDuff, Kenny Wheeler, Al Grey and John Hicks.   His long and successful playing career came to a quick stop in 2012 after he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.  Eight years later he is still alive but unable to play his guitar.  Peter's story is so inspiring and uplifting I wanted to share it with you. 

Peter started his intense treatment of chemo and radiation which quickly resulted in the loss of his left arm effectively ending his playing career.  As a life long musician, you can imagine how devastating the realization that he could not longer play guitar had on Peter.   After a relatively short period of mental adjustment, Peter relates "It occurred to me that I was free from the tyranny the Jazz Guitar--of having to practice every day.  I realized I could create music that was not limited to four fingers on six strings.  I began to write."   "I  couldn't play anymore but I couldn't get rid of this urge to be involved in music and it seemed to me that the only way I could do it was to start writing."  Peter spent two years composing, Arranging and Orchestrating the 17 pieces that are included in this 2-CD project.  The results are outstanding by any musical measure.  Every song on these 2-CD's has special meaning for Peter including the name of his Orchestra, The Peter Leitch New Life Orchestra.  Yes, rather that l spend his life regretting his loss of ability to play the instrument the loved, Peter reinvented himself as a highly talented Composer, Arranger and Band leader.  

The 14 original composition Peter wrote and arranged for this project are all stunningly beautiful.  They cover a wide range of musically thoughts with ideas that are new and sometimes classically inventive while being fully accessible and enjoyable for the listener.

I have picked and attached two cuts from these CD's  and a third one of Peter playing a solo on the standard "Yesterdays". for your listening pleasure.  These three songs will give you a good look at Peter immense talents as a Composer, Arranger and Guitarist.  The first tune is the opening track on the first CD, "Mood For Max".  Peter wrote and dedicated this song to Dr. Maxim Kreditor, the oncologist who saved his life.  This joyous music Jazz composition expresses Peter's feelings about his medical past, his talented doctor and his newly found musical life.   The next tune is the standard  written by Thelonious Monk, "Round Midnight".  Its a fresh and wonderful interpretation of his great song by the outstanding 17-piece orchestra.  I attached the third song, a solo by Peter Leitch in order to let you experience his talented Guitar playing,   Peter plays the standard "Yesterdays".  

Playlist:

DISC ONE:

1. Mood for Max

2. Portrait of Sylvia

3. Sorta, Kinda

4. Monk's Circle

5. Round Midnight

6. Penumbra

7. Brilliant Blue, Twilight

8. Fulton Street Suite

DISC TWO:

1. Exhilaration

2. Elevanses

3. Clifford Jordan

4. Ballad for Charles Davis

5. The Minister's Son

6. Spring Is Here

7. Back Story

8. Tutwiler 2001

9 The Long Walk Home

Players:  

Duane Eubanks- Trumpet

Bill Mobley- Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Tim Harrison- Flute

Jed Levy- Tenor, Flute, Alto Flute

Steve Willson- Alto & Soprano Sax

Dave Pietro- Alto & Soprano Sax

Carl Maraghi- Baritone Saz, Bass Clarinet

Matt Haviland- Trombone

Max Seigel- Bass Trombone

Phil Robson- Electric Guitar

Chad Coe- Acoustic Guitar

Peter Zak- Piano

Dennis James- Arco Bass

Yoshi Waki- Bass

Joe Strasser- Drums

                                             "Mood For Max"

https://soundcloud.com/user-673478697/01-mood-for-max/s-aKQs3yzVHFu?in=user-673478697/sets/peter-leitchs-new-life-orchestra-new-life-discs-1-2//s-hE1o53qfzQc

                                               "Round Midnight"

https://soundcloud.com/user-673478697/05-round-midnight/s-wb0QYnX8gHQ?in=user-673478697/sets/peter-leitchs-new-life-orchestra-new-life-discs-1-2//s-hE1o53qfzQc

                                                                        "Yesterdays"