John Burnett Swing Orchestra: West of State Street/East of Harlem (2008)

Ken Dryden

Columnist since 2000

Ken has collected jazz for over three decades and been a jazz journalist since 1988.

Recent articles (222 total)

Published: May 4, 2009

John Burnett Swing Orchestra: West of State Street/East of Harlem

England native John Burnett John Burnett
has been a part of the Chicago jazz scene for some time. He presently hosts a weekday jazz radio program on WDCB and is also the conductor of his own Swing Orchestra (formed in 1999) which focuses on big band music of the '40s.

Recorded live early last year at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, Illinois, guest trumpeter Randy Sandke Randy Sandke
b.1949
trumpet is featured on seven selections and proves to be the most compelling soloist, though the band has a number of fine players who merit wider exposure, among them tenor saxophonist Doug Stone and alto saxophonist Nick Mazarella. The book draws heavily from Count Basie's repertoire, including a swinging treatment of the rarely performed "Flight of the Foo Birds" (you likely have to be over 50 to know the joke behind the song's title), a snappy "One O'Clock Jump" plus the famous chart of "April in Paris" (complete with the famous Thad Jones "Pop Goes the Weasel" quote and multiple reprises of the theme at its conclusion).

They also do justice to "A Night in Tunisia" and "Struttin' With Some Barbecue." The only tiresome gimmick is Tony Pons' pointless attempt to duplicate Louis Armstrong's gravelly vocal to "Hello, Dolly!" Far better are Frieda Lee's two vocal features.

Track Listing: Flight Of The Foo Birds; Groovin� Hard; How Sweet It Is; Night in Tunisia; Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere; Struttin� With Some Barbeque; Ten Cents A Dance; One O�clock Jump; Hello Dolly; Little Jazz Boogie; Witchcraft; How Long Has This Been Going On?; Sweet Georgia Brown; Begin The Beguine; April In Paris; Love For Sale.

Personnel: John Burnett: leader; Frieda Lee: vocals; John Moran: guitar; Nick Mazarella: alto saxophone; Bob Frankich: alto saxophone; Anthony Bruno: tenor saxophone; Doug Stone: tenor saxophone; Bruce Mack: baritone saxophone; Greg Duncan: trumpet; Terry Connell: trumpet; Mike McGrath: trumpet; Tony Pons: trumpet, vocals; Randy Sandke: trumpet; Bryant Scott: trombone; Adam Gross: trombone; Dana Legg: trombone; Bill Walsh: bass trombone; Mark Burnell: piano; Paul Martin: bass; Bill Byan: drums.

Record Label: Delmark Records
Style: Big Band