Rob McConnell, The Boss Brass - Tribute (2015) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Things Are Getting Better
02. Blue Hodge
03. Blue Daniel
04. Peace / Blue Silver
05. My Bells
06. Wendy

Award-winning Trombonist-arranger-composer Rob McConnell and his Boss Brass big band was a fixture on the Canadian jazz scene. The group was composed of Canada’s premiere jazz musicians, and many of their over two dozen albums have become collectors’ items for big band enthusiasts world-wide. Tribute was the second of three albums released by MPS. The album contains the compositions of six major musicians, all of whom “…were taken from us in the prime of their lives and careers” (McConnell). Alto sax great Cannonball Adderley’s Things Are Getting Better is a moderate-swinging gem that’s gotta make you feel good. Moe Koffman’s alto strolls out in front before taking a blistering double-time run. Lauded for his recordings on Impulse and Verve records as well as his arrangements for the likes of Bill Evans and Stan Getz, Gary McFarland stood as one of the most important arranger-composers of the 1960’s. His Blue Hodge slow-walks the blues over a richly-laid chordal carpet and sensitive tenor sax and piano solos. Trombone virtuoso Frank Rosolino’s Blue Daniel naturally features trombonists McConnell and Ian McDougall. Rosolino would have been pleased. Trumpeter Blue Mitchell was an integral part of one of jazz legend Horace Silver’s greatest groups. Mitchell transformed Silver’s contemplative Peace into the up-tempo trumpet romp Blue Silver. One of McConnell’s favorite compositions, Bill Evan’s ballad My Bells rings out with beautiful harmonies and a graceful piano solo. Dave Brubeck cohort Paul Desmond’s Wendy features luxurious harmonies and Jerry Toth’s sumptuous alto sax solo. A big band treat with insightful arrangements of compositions from six great jazzmen.

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