Grooveyard

Jazz has long been blessed by a sizable number of sibling musicians. Most notably, there are the Joneses (Hank, Elvin and Thad), the Montgomerys (Wes, Buddy and Monk), the Mangiones (Chuck and Gap), the Heaths (Jimmy, Percy and Albert "Tootie" Heath), the Turrentines (Stanley and Tommy), the Adderleys (Cannonball and Nat), the Youngs (Lester and Lee), the Candolis (Pete and Conte), the Breckers (Michael and Randy) and the Marsalises (Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis).

Add to the list the La Barberas (John, Joe and Pat). Joe is best known for playing drums with the last Bill Evans Trio, Pat is best known for his work on tenor saxophone with the Buddy Rich Big Band between 1967 and 1973 and with Elvin Jones, and John is best known for his spectacular arrangements for Rich, many of which remained in the band's "book" until the end, including Best of the West and Space Shuttle.

Now, John has a great new album out—Grooveyard—for which he composed, arranged, assembled an all-star big band and conducted. Best of all, his brothers, Pat and Joe, joined him. The band features John Chudoba, Brian Pareschi, Brandon Lee and Clay Jenkins (tp); Ryan Keberle, Mike Davis, Sara Jacovino and David Taylor (tb); Steve Wilson and Erica Von Kleist (as,fl); Pat La Barbera (ts); Sam Sadigursky (ts,cl); Andy Gutauskas (bs,bass cl); Juan Ruiz (cl); Renee Rosnes (p,keyboards); Brandon Coleman (g); Rufus Reid (acoustic b); Frank Gravis (elec. b); Joe La Barbera (d) and Kiko Sebrian (perc).

The songs are Carl Perkins's Grooveyard, John La Barbera's My New Summer Samba, Dave Brubeck's For Iola, John La Barbera's Thanks Hank, Tranesome, Choro Para Thiago, K's Delight and Mandatory Blues, Curtis Fuller's Sweetness and Elvin Jones's Keiko's Birthday March.

John's arrangements are smart and punchy, and the solos are sharp and soulful. Unlike many big bands today, there are no long-winded solos to eat up time. John's arrangements are compact. Each was written with a narrative in mind, and they each build to a peak and resolve wonderfully. [Photo above, from left Joe, Pat and John La Barbera by (c)Garry Geer courtesy of All About Jazz]

Among the gems here is Thanks Hank, John's sly tribute to Henry Mancini. If you're a Mancini fan, you'll hear plenty of musical winks and nods along the way. Also special is K's Delight, a tip of the trumpet to Kenny Dorham with an Una Mas flavor, and Keiko's Birthday March, which features Joe and Pat La Barbera and Clay Jenkins. For Iola has a particularly lovely arrangement, featuring a soprano saxophone solo by Pat, a piano solo by Renee and unison flutes backing them.

In all honesty, there isn't a bad track or note on this album. All of the arrangements grab and hold you, and the solos are seasoned and purposeful.