Shifty Paradigms

Arranger-composer Dave Slonaker has led his big band in Southern California for 15 years. The 16-17 piece orchestra is filled with major names who are not only impeccable section players but top-notch soloists. But while there is solo space on the eight selections on Shifty Paradigms for all but two of the musicians, it is Slonaker's arrangements that give this big band its own personality.

Dave Slonaker supplied all of the arrangements and wrote all of the songs except "Bye Bye Blues." His modern mainstream big band jazz charts have each of the pieces evolving as they progress as opposed to just retaining the same chord changes once the theme is stated. The opener, "Dash Cam," is a colorful tribute to driving on L.A. freeways. The lone standard, "Bye Bye Blues," evolves from being a waltz to swinging in 4/4 and has viable solos from baritonist Adam Schroeder and trumpeter Ron Stout. Brian Scanlon's passionate statement on alto uplifts the complex "Comin' Home" while "Blue Windows" has no less than seven fine soloists making statements that are logical outgrowths of the arranged ensembles.

"Shifty Paradigms" has a subtle Latin groove (with Brian Kilgore added on congas) and worthy solos by Bill Reichenbach on bass trumpet and Bob Sheppard on soprano. The uptempo "3rd And Four" explore the intervals of thirds and fourths rather than being a tribute to football games. Trombonist Alex Iles stars on "Cathedrals" before the set closes with the uptempo samba "Roundabout" featuring trumpeter Ron Stout and tenor-saxophonist Rob Lockart.

The Dave Slonaker Big Band's Shifty Paradigms is their third and arguably finest recording.