Along the Way

Clarence Hines is a trombone player, writer, and teacher who has spent his career playing all over the world and helping the next generation of players find their sound. Right now, he hangs his hat at the University of North Florida as the Director of the School of Music, where he keeps busy coaching students in jazz trombone and big band arranging. Over the years, he has shared the stage with a wild mix of music royalty, trading notes with everyone from pop icons like Frankie Valli and the Temptations to heavy-hitting jazz names like David Sanborn. Whether he is writing charts for major concert halls or clinics, he knows how to make a large ensemble feel alive and easygoing.

With his latest album, Along the Way, he finally put his own spin on the big band tradition by stepping out as a leader for his own jazz orchestra. Released on OA2 Records, the album is a collection of originals and fresh takes on old standards that gives his stacked 17-piece lineup plenty of room to stretch out and stretch their legs. The music avoids the stiff, heavy feel of typical big bands, opting instead for a bright, conversational style where the arrangements feel loose, natural, and fun to play. When he isn't steering the ship for his orchestra or working with his college students, you can usually find him traveling for clinics or sitting in with symphony orchestras and local jazz groups.

Opening with In Transit, an energetic, Latin rhythm infused track, Clarence Hines wastes no time establishing the orchestra's tight ensemble precision. With brass blazing and woodwinds bringing the temperature down to a simmer, tenor saxophonist Doug Stone steps up with a hard riffing statement that really cooks. Hines steps up with a lot of heat of his own really blowing a monstrous trombone solo. Joshua Bowlus on piano brings down the volume but not the heat with solid phrasing of his own before the rejoining of the band. Hot opener! A Tad of Thad highlights the drum bop rhythms of Jared Schonig with muted trumpets and warm sax melody, punctuated by Bowlus on piano. Clay Jenkins on trumpet starts the dialog with tenor saxophonist Doug Stone, who really swings his intense solo phrasing. Bowles rolls it all together on piano bringing back the flow for a tight summit.

All This Time is a quiet, reflective, modal piece that showcases the orchestra's ability to handle delicate, shifting musical colors. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins delivers an expressive solo that floats gracefully over the lush backdrop, complemented perfectly by a warm bed of saxes and Bowlus' expressive piano work deepens the song's late-night atmosphere. Wrapping the release is What's Up With That? with Schonig driving the band with a hectic pace. Todd DelGiudice on alto sax and Stone on tenor really create a driving groove trading emphatic phrase, framed by a solid bed of brass. Solid closer for a cool release.