MUSIC REVIEW BY George Harris, Jazz Weekly
Pianist, composer and arranger Ben Markley leads an 18 member big band through a modern sounding mix of originals and jazz covers. He brings in a handful of ringers in Remy Le Beouf/as-fl, Terell Stafford/tp, Steve Davis/tb, Steve Nelson/t b and David Wong/b for extra "oomph", but little is needed for these strong charts.
The team sounds comfortable on the large ensemble modal pieces like "Tell The Truth" as Nelson glides over the sleek feel and Stafford is crystal clear on his solo. The sections are bold with a "Ben's Tune" that allows Davis to slide home safely, while Kyle Swan's crisp sticks add to the punch of a fun take of Thelonious Monk's "Off Minor" Nelson and Stafford glide through the swaying blues of "1330". Swan is a joy throughout, riding the whip on the deeply grooved "Groundwork" and nimble under Nelson, an Stafford and the sleek sax section during "Snowy Range Blues". Meanwhile the title track gives the leader a chance to show his charms with Wong, guitar man Steve Kovalcheck boogaloos on ""Mon Back". A mardi gras, indeed.
The team sounds comfortable on the large ensemble modal pieces like "Tell The Truth" as Nelson glides over the sleek feel and Stafford is crystal clear on his solo. The sections are bold with a "Ben's Tune" that allows Davis to slide home safely, while Kyle Swan's crisp sticks add to the punch of a fun take of Thelonious Monk's "Off Minor" Nelson and Stafford glide through the swaying blues of "1330". Swan is a joy throughout, riding the whip on the deeply grooved "Groundwork" and nimble under Nelson, an Stafford and the sleek sax section during "Snowy Range Blues". Meanwhile the title track gives the leader a chance to show his charms with Wong, guitar man Steve Kovalcheck boogaloos on ""Mon Back". A mardi gras, indeed.