We See Stars

Composer and arranger Jim Olsen brings together a richly textured and snazzily swinging big band which includes top notch soloists such as Bobby Shew/tp, Dick Oatts/sax and John Harmon/key. The eight originals mix toe tapping swing such as on “Illogical Conclusion” with lush ballads such as “Wistful,” with even a touch of modern sounds a la Stravinsky thrown in. A piece such as “ Dark Sun” does some exciting work with harmonies, while solos by Shew and Oatts on “Scary Hair” display some exciting solo work. Olsen himself gets some time in the center with a nice flute entreaty on “Shard” while She and Alto close out the album with high five solos on “Running Amok.” Excellent mix of freedom within form.