Portland Jazz Orchestra: Nor'easter (2010)

Nicholas F. Mondello

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2008

Nick Mondello is a pro trumpeter, writer and marketing/PR consultant to musicians worldwide.

Recent articles (94 total)

Published: December 26, 2010

Although the era of the gig-to-gig road-traveling big band is defunct, save for a few ghost bands, fine regional big bands continue to thrive around the United States. From Los Angeles, killer bands such as Gordon Goodwin Gordon Goodwin
b.1955
composer/conductor 's Big Phat Band and Tom Kubis Tom Kubis
's and Gary Urwin Gary Urwin

band/orchestra 's respective ensembles, to the East Coast where groups such as Tommy Igoe Tommy Igoe

drums 's Birdland Band, the Westchester Jazz Orchestra Westchester Jazz Orchestra

band/orchestra , Keith Pray Keith Pray
b.1973
saxophone 's ensemble, Kenny Hadley Kenny Hadley
's and others still fill venues with swinging jazz. The road may beckon, but, the economics nowadays don't.

Nor'easter , the debut CD from Maine's Portland Jazz Orchestra, continues and heralds the big band tradition in a marvelously entertaining, no-frills manner. Leader and fine trombonist Chris Oberholtzer Chris Oberholtzer
has pulled together some of New England's best players and writers. With talent onboard to challenge some of the studio musician-comprised bands above, the PJO shines and draws positive comparisons. The music offered is intelligent, enjoyable and swinging.

The selections in Nor'easter are eclectic, with a bit of everything old and new. Benny Golson Benny Golson
b.1929
sax, tenor 's "Killer Joe," gets a terrific new look in a faster-than-usual tempo, with a fierce saxophone battle between tenorist Marc LaForce and altoist Kyle Hardy. The quote clipped from Hubert Laws Hubert Laws
b.1939
flute solo on Quincy Jones Quincy Jones
b.1933
producer "Walking in Space" is an inside-hip touch, while Larry Williams' ballsy baritone peppers "Goin' Outside."

Trumpeters Craig Skeffington and Chris Marsh each shine in their solo excursions. Oberholtzer steals moments on the Oliver Nelson Oliver Nelson
1932 - 1975
arranger -like arrangement of "It's a Waltz ... Man," while "Anna's Song," composed and introduced with taste by pianist Chris Humphrey, has lovely Stan Kenton Stan Kenton
1911 - 1979
piano overtones. The rhythm section cooks on Bob Florence Bob Florence
1932 - 2008
band/orchestra 's "Carmelo's by the Freeway." All in all, the eight selections provide quality, not quantity; although the performances here are so good more would be marvelous.

In meteorological terms, a nor'easter describes a weather event—a storm of rain, wind, and biting chill. With Nor'easter, Portland Jazz Orchestra does, indeed, storm on with terrific charts, absolutely first-rate ensemble work and inspired solo playing that combines for a heavy downpour of talent and swing. Bundle up.

Track Listing: Killer Joe; It's A Waltz ... Man; Goin' Outside; The Vending Machine Isn't Broke (The Light Just don't Work); Anna's Song; Paquito's Revenge; One for Philippe; Carmelo's by the Freeway.

Personnel: Sean Potter: alto sax (lead); Kyle Hardy: alto sax (lead 6); David Wells: tenor sax; Marc LaForce: tenor sax; Larry Williams: baritone sax; Chris Oberholtzer: trombone (lead); Willie Johnson: trombone; Mark Manduca: trombone (lead 4); Tom Michaud: bass trombone; Doug Owens: trumpet (lead 2, 4-7); Bill Karow: trumpet (lead 1, 3, 8); Craig Skeffington: trumpet; Chris MArsh: trumpet; Terry White: trumpet; Chris Humphrey: piano; Kim Bird: bass; Brad Ciechomski: drums.

Style: Big Band