CD Review: University of Nevada Las Vegas Jazz Emsemble 1, "Let The Good Times Roll".

The UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1 proves that jazz is alive and thriving in Las Vegas with their new release, Let the Good Times Roll. Directed by Dave Loeb and Nathan Tanouye, this 12-track album blends youthful energy with professional polish, featuring fresh student arrangements and first-rate ensemble playing.

From the opening title track to the closing “Finale (for Katie Charlotte)”, the band delivers big-band swing, lyrical ballads, and inventive new works. Guest artists—Laura Taylor, Curt Miller, Kenny Rampton, Clint Holmes, Naomi Mauro, Adam Schroeder, and Dr. Isrea Butler—add star power, while student composers and arrangers showcase the future of the art form.

With nearly 30 musicians bringing passion and precision, the recording is both a celebration of tradition and a glimpse into jazz’s exciting next chapter.

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Playlist:

1. Let the Good Times Roll

2. Chinoiserie

3. Too Close for Comfort

4. Emily

5. Check Up

6. Bohemia After Dark

7. The Night Has a Thousand Eyes

8. Alright, Okay, You Win

9. The Collective

10. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You

11. Braggin' n’ Brass

12. Finale (For Katie Charlotte)

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Players:

Guest Artists: Laura Taylor (vocals), Curt Miller (trombone), Kenny Rampton (trumpet), Clint Holmes (vocals), Naomi Mauro (vocals), Adam Schroeder (baritone sax), Dr. Isrea Butler (trombone)
Student Musicians: 27 members of UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1 (saxophones, trumpets, trombones, rhythm section, vibraphone, and French horn)
Arrangers/Composers: Surafael Tamre, Tristan Selzler, Jaren Glick, Renzon Maballo, Mateo Hurtado de Mendoza

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I have attached two cuts from the CD for your listening pleasure.  The first tune is the Johnny Mandel classic "Emily" with a terrific arrangement from Renzon Maballo and features great solo work from Curt Miller.  The second selection is "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" written by Ben Weissman and arranged by Jaren Glick.

                                                                              "Emily"

                                                          "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes"

 

CD Review: The Las Vegas Boneheads, "Sixty annd Still Cooking"

 

I don't know why but many professional musicians like to tell jokes about Trombone players.  Personally, I love the sound of a Trombone and especially when there are more than one playing.  So I was delighted when I received the new release from The Las Vegas Boneheads, "Sixty and Still Cooking".  I have been visiting Las Vegas yearly for over 40 years and know a lot about the town and its history.  But why I never came across The Las Vegas Boneheads is a mystery.  No matter, this talented group of Trombone players is a musical delight.  This group was formed in 1962 by Abe Note to give some of Las Vegas' top Trombonists an opportunity to play Jazz after their regular gigs.  These late night sessions were legendary over the years and they became a popular hangout for some of the best Trombone players in Jazz history.

Some of the great musicians who have been part of this group included Trombonists Charlie Loper, Archie LeCoque, Carl Fontana, Bill Harris and Jummy Trimble.  Pianists Frank Collett and Tommy Todd, Bassists Carson Smith and Bob Badgley and Drummers Karl Kiffe and Santo Sabino were also frequent participants in this group.  The group disbanded in the mid-1980's, but in 2011 Carl Miller who had been with the band since 1978 thought it was time to get the band back together.  

The band is back with new arrangements and a younger generation of enthusiastic and skilled Trombonists.  The arrangement and musical sounds on "Sixty and Still Cooking" are nothing short of terrific and will thrill not only Trombone-loving listeners but any Jazz music lover.

I have attached two cuts from "Sixty and Still Cooking" the first tune is "Al Cohn Tune" and it's a real barn burner.   I really wanted to attach "Home Again" because the sounds are so lush as is the beautiful solo work by special guest, Andy Martin.  But I just couldn't turn away from the Mercer/Carmichael classic, "Skylark".  It has special solos from Trombonist Curt Miller and Pianist Uli Geissendoefer.  The chords and Trombones are warm and lush.

I hope "The Las Vegas Boneheads" decide to tour in the near futurre and I will be the first one in line for tickets.

PLAYLIST:

1. Al Cohn Tune

2. Ceora

3. Samba Deez Bones

4. Home Again

5. Carl

6. Skylark

7. The Nervous Nellie

8. I Thought About You

9. Cherokee

10. Giant Steps

PLAYERS:

Curt Miller- Trombone and Leader

Trombones:

    Nathan Tanouye

    Nate Kimball

    Andrew Boostrom

    llai Macaggi

Sonny Hernandez- Bass

Ralph Pressler- Bass Trombone

Ull Gelssendoerfer- Piano

Steve Flora- Bass

Larry Aberman- Drums

Special Guest Trombone Artist- Andy Martin