SKELTON SKINNER ALLSTAR SEPTET - Play Ellington & Basie
Special guest Alan Barnes
Diving Duck Recordings DDRCD022
Colin Skinner ( alto ) Alan Barnes ( tnr / bar / clt ) Mike Lovat ( tpt ) Gordon Campbell ( tmb ) Rob Barron ( pno ) Jeremy Brown ( baas ) Matt Skelton ( drs )
Recorded UK 2014
All the musicians on this album are big band players or have been big band players at some point in their careers. The majority of them have had a spell with the BBC Big Band or have been featured Guest Artists, other bands that have featured in their careers have been Syd Lawrence, John Wilson, Back to Basie and National Youth Jazz Orchestra among others.
Although this group is only a septet it has the feel and sound of a big band mainly due to the clever arrangements and the skill of the players. The bulk of the numbers have their beginnings with Johnny Hodges groups and the balance have Count Basie connections .
The album opens with Johnny Hodges small group classic “Good Queen Bess” with all the front line getting a chance to shine with Mike Lovatt’s growling trumpet taking the honours. It’s another Hodges composition “Everybody Knows” with inspires Gordon Campbell tttto come up with some fine growl trombone whacks demonstrates what a marvellous jazz soloist he is.
“Splanky” which has it’s origins on “The Atomic Basie” album which more than any other number on the album has the feel of a big band rather than a septet. Alan Barnes tenor solo has echoes of Paul Gonsalves and gives the number an extra punch.
Another Hodges number “The Jeep is Jumpin‘” gets a rousing treatment with the whole group joining in the fun. More usually we are used to hearing “You Brought a New Kind of Love to me” as a vocal number but this a feature for the sparkling clarinet of Alan Barnes. Alan brings out his tenor for “I’ll Take Romance” to good effect and pianist Rob Barron gets his chance to show his considerable skills.
It’s Hodges number again with “Squty Roo” which has some swinging alto and another fine piano from Rob Barron followed by Alan Barnes hard driving baritone.
Alan Barnes reserves his best tenor solo of the album “Jive at Five” which also contains some fine section work.
Although this album is not to going break down any stylistic barriers it is nevertheless good swinging jazz played some very skilled musicians and provides fine foot tapping music.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Special guest Alan Barnes
Diving Duck Recordings DDRCD022
Colin Skinner ( alto ) Alan Barnes ( tnr / bar / clt ) Mike Lovat ( tpt ) Gordon Campbell ( tmb ) Rob Barron ( pno ) Jeremy Brown ( baas ) Matt Skelton ( drs )
Recorded UK 2014
All the musicians on this album are big band players or have been big band players at some point in their careers. The majority of them have had a spell with the BBC Big Band or have been featured Guest Artists, other bands that have featured in their careers have been Syd Lawrence, John Wilson, Back to Basie and National Youth Jazz Orchestra among others.
Although this group is only a septet it has the feel and sound of a big band mainly due to the clever arrangements and the skill of the players. The bulk of the numbers have their beginnings with Johnny Hodges groups and the balance have Count Basie connections .
The album opens with Johnny Hodges small group classic “Good Queen Bess” with all the front line getting a chance to shine with Mike Lovatt’s growling trumpet taking the honours. It’s another Hodges composition “Everybody Knows” with inspires Gordon Campbell tttto come up with some fine growl trombone whacks demonstrates what a marvellous jazz soloist he is.
“Splanky” which has it’s origins on “The Atomic Basie” album which more than any other number on the album has the feel of a big band rather than a septet. Alan Barnes tenor solo has echoes of Paul Gonsalves and gives the number an extra punch.
Another Hodges number “The Jeep is Jumpin‘” gets a rousing treatment with the whole group joining in the fun. More usually we are used to hearing “You Brought a New Kind of Love to me” as a vocal number but this a feature for the sparkling clarinet of Alan Barnes. Alan brings out his tenor for “I’ll Take Romance” to good effect and pianist Rob Barron gets his chance to show his considerable skills.
It’s Hodges number again with “Squty Roo” which has some swinging alto and another fine piano from Rob Barron followed by Alan Barnes hard driving baritone.
Alan Barnes reserves his best tenor solo of the album “Jive at Five” which also contains some fine section work.
Although this album is not to going break down any stylistic barriers it is nevertheless good swinging jazz played some very skilled musicians and provides fine foot tapping music.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
