MUSIC REVIEW BY Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs
The Ben Markley Big Band opening song, an original composition by pianist, bandleader, Markley. It's titled "Tell The Truth" and blasts into my listening room like gangbusters. Markley has been heralded by DownBeat magazine as one of America's top contemporary big band writers. He also a big Cedar Walton fan. On the opening tune, Steve Nelson is prominently featured on vibraphone. Special guest Terrel Stafford offers a bright and boisterous trumpet solo and Markley himself is featured on piano.
Markley has made an important turning point in his career with this release. Previously, his two big band albums focused on arranging the music of others. This album spotlights his composer talents.
"I felt it was time to present my voice more fully through my own music. The majority of the music heard here is original, written specifically for this ensemble and these musicians. ... It reflects how I hear the modern big band, swinging hard, grounded firmly in the tradition, and centered around giving the musicians space to be themselves," Ben Markley asserts.
Most of these Colorado musicians have been playing together since 2017, with a core group including Peter Sommer, Steve Kovalcheck, Wil Swindler, Gabe Mervine, Jon Gauer, Sam Williams, Darren Kramer and Dawn Kramer. They form the backbone of this band.
Steve Kovalcheck shines on guitar during the arrangement of "Jife" letting his guitar solo pirouette over descending harmonic horn lines. This is an energetic jazz waltz, where drummer Kyle Swan is king! His solo is stellar!
The Ben Markley Big Band presents their own take on "Off Minor" by Thelonious Monk and two of Cedar Walton's compositions, "NPS" and "Groundwork." Otherwise, they interpret the wonderful compositions of Markley.
While stoking the fires of traditional jazz, here is a big band that fans the flame of a younger, more contemporary and modern musical approach. One thing that pleased and inspired this listener was that Ben Markley's Big Band swings relentlessly.
Markley has made an important turning point in his career with this release. Previously, his two big band albums focused on arranging the music of others. This album spotlights his composer talents.
"I felt it was time to present my voice more fully through my own music. The majority of the music heard here is original, written specifically for this ensemble and these musicians. ... It reflects how I hear the modern big band, swinging hard, grounded firmly in the tradition, and centered around giving the musicians space to be themselves," Ben Markley asserts.
Most of these Colorado musicians have been playing together since 2017, with a core group including Peter Sommer, Steve Kovalcheck, Wil Swindler, Gabe Mervine, Jon Gauer, Sam Williams, Darren Kramer and Dawn Kramer. They form the backbone of this band.
Steve Kovalcheck shines on guitar during the arrangement of "Jife" letting his guitar solo pirouette over descending harmonic horn lines. This is an energetic jazz waltz, where drummer Kyle Swan is king! His solo is stellar!
The Ben Markley Big Band presents their own take on "Off Minor" by Thelonious Monk and two of Cedar Walton's compositions, "NPS" and "Groundwork." Otherwise, they interpret the wonderful compositions of Markley.
While stoking the fires of traditional jazz, here is a big band that fans the flame of a younger, more contemporary and modern musical approach. One thing that pleased and inspired this listener was that Ben Markley's Big Band swings relentlessly.
Soundclips
Other Reviews of
"Tuesday Morning Feeling":
Take Effect by Tom Haugen
WDCB (Chicago) by Paul Abella
DownBeat by Joshua Myers
All About Jazz by Jack Bowers
Making A Scene by Dee Dee McNeil
Jazz Weekly by George Harris
Paris-Move by Thierry de Clemensat