Even though I would be characterized as someone faithful to “hot jazz,” I love this supple, lyrical, compact orchestra. Jon has taste, as do the musicians who fill the chairs, and there is a sweet floating sweep to the sounds, individually and collectively, that emerge.
When Jon said that his Octet was giving a (too-brief) recital at City College, where he teaches, I packed my gear and — even without Anita and Roy — let myself off Uptown. Here are a few delightful interludes from that session. The saxophones are Jon and Bill Todd, alto; Dan Block and Dan Ransom, tenor; Andrew Hadro, baritone; the rhythm is JinJoo Yoo, piano; Kevin Thomas, string bass; Steve Little, drums (but with the caveat that the drums are someone else’s), and the arrangements and transcriptions are Jon’s.
PICK YOURSELF UP:
Cole Porter’s tender yet jaunty LOOKING AT YOU:
Jon’s own VALSE VIVIENNE, scored for four clarinets::
I’ll follow this band whenever and wherever I can.
May your happiness increase!
Cole Porter! My favorite. Great arrangement.
I just found out the list of musicians who were in Joe Raposo’s street band and discovered sadly that only Steve Little and Wally Kane (woodwinds) are still with us. Glad to see Steve is still here and still drumming!