...exemplifying the best of contemporary big-band jazz...fresh and sparkling, with more than enough dynamism and ingenuity to capture a listener's interest and hold it...
It was Dave Slonaker's fascination with the sounds of big bands in his early teens that led him to Pittsburg's Carnegie Library to research the nuts & bolts of how it was created. An orchestrator, arranger, and composer for film & TV over decades now, it's with his 15-year-old Grammy nominated ensemble—comprised of LA's finest jazz and studio musicians—where he explores the paradigm shifts within his own writing and aesthetic as time goes on. With this third album for Origin, his exploration of orchestration, harmony and rhythm is as expansive and vivid as ever, as band members including Peter Erskine, Bob Sheppard, Clay Jenkins and Bill Reichenbach lend world-renowned musicality to whatever twists and turns he conjures up—always celebrating the big band legacy while joining the other visionary composers in charting the path forward.
"His charts are modern, invigorating, full of variety, and clearly an inspiration for his sidemen." Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene
Track Listing:
1 Dash Cam 6:49
2 Bye Bye Blues 6:54
3 Comin' Home 9:07
4 Blue Windows 6:56
5 Shifty Paradigms 7:59
6 3rd and Four 9:46
7 Cathedrals 7:51
8 Roundabout 6:57
All compositions and arrangements by Dave Slonaker
(Copyright © 2026 Daslon Music/ASCAP)
Except "Bye Bye Blues" comp. Fred Hamm, Dave Bennett, Bert Lown, and Chauncey Gray (Public Domain), arr. Slonaker.
Performers:
Dave Slonaker Big Band is:
Bob Sheppard - alto & soprano sax, flute
Brian Scanlon - alto & soprano sax, flute
Rob Lockart - tenor sax, clarinet
Tom Luer - tenor sax, clarinet
Adam Schroeder - bari. sax, bass clarinet, flute
Alex Iles - trombone
Charlie Morillas - trombone
Ido Meshulam - trombone
Bill Reichenbach - bass trombone, bass trumpet
Wayne Bergeron - trumpet/flugelhorn
Dan Fornero - trumpet/flugelhorn
Clay Jenkins - trumpet/flugelhorn
Ron Stout - trumpet/flugelhorn
Ed Czach - piano
Edwin Livingston - acous. (1,2,4,6-8) & elec. bass (3,5)
Peter Erskine - drums
Andy Waddell - guitar
Brian Kilgore - percussion (4,5,8)
Production Info:
Produced by Dave Slonaker
Recorded by Rich Breen
at Studio D, The Village, Los Angeles, CA
June 10-11, 2025
Assistant engineers: Alisse Laymac and JC LeResche
Mixed and mastered by Rich Breen
at Dogmatic Sound, Burbank, CA
Music Preparation: Elizabeth Finch
Booth Score Consultant: Jim Honeyman
Music Contractors: Peter Rotter and Kelly Bergeron
for Encompass Music Partners
Photos by Craig Cochrane
Cover design and layout by John Bishop
