SOUTH FLORIDA JAZZ ORCHESTRA- Cheap Thrills: The Music of Rick Margitza
Summit DCD 757
LARGE ORCHESTRA FEATURING: Chuck Bergeron (b ); Rick Margitza (ts); Brian Lynch, Greg Gisbert (t); John Hart (elg) Florida January-March 2019.
Bergeron, leader of the SFJO invited Margitza to contribute charts to the orchestra for their fifteenth anniversary celebrations. The bassist was so impressed that he invited Margitza to play all his charts with the orchestra on this recording, an offer swiftly accepted. These two had a history together, having played many years ago in New Orleans and later, New York. All the compositions supplied here are bright big band charts which are enhanced considerably by some sterling solo work from Margitza himself on tenor sax, Brian Lynch and Greg Gisbert on trumpets, Hart’s guitar and pianist Martin Bejerano. Margitza is a veteran saxophonist who has worked on many jazz ensembles and his solos are of the well structured, melodic kind. He plays on every track and his invention is impressive although space is left for solos by other members of this lively ensemble. The orchestra is in the general style of the old Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band with an emphasis on hard swing, biting solo segments and attractive charts. Led by bassist Bergeron, he keeps mostly in the background, not taking solos but providing a solid pulse in conjunction with drummer John Yarling. Cheap Thrills and Widow’s Walk are features for Hart’s burgeoning guitar solos and he does well. Hart also gets the spotlight on Brace Yourself where he shares the solo honours with drummer Yarling.
The orchestra swings hard on Sometimes I Have Rhythm which features the trumpet of Gisbert in solo. Margitza, as noted, solos on every track with a strong attack and well wrought statements. The only standard is left to the last selection where Embraceable You is played, perhaps a shade too slowly. This orchestra, it seems, thrive on fresh, original material where they can solo and swing in uninhibited manner. It is a good example of big band jazz in the tradition of Basie, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and the Jones/Lewis outfit. Premonition, the longest track at almost ten minutes, is the most intricate but all the music here is worth hearing.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
Summit DCD 757
LARGE ORCHESTRA FEATURING: Chuck Bergeron (b ); Rick Margitza (ts); Brian Lynch, Greg Gisbert (t); John Hart (elg) Florida January-March 2019.
Bergeron, leader of the SFJO invited Margitza to contribute charts to the orchestra for their fifteenth anniversary celebrations. The bassist was so impressed that he invited Margitza to play all his charts with the orchestra on this recording, an offer swiftly accepted. These two had a history together, having played many years ago in New Orleans and later, New York. All the compositions supplied here are bright big band charts which are enhanced considerably by some sterling solo work from Margitza himself on tenor sax, Brian Lynch and Greg Gisbert on trumpets, Hart’s guitar and pianist Martin Bejerano. Margitza is a veteran saxophonist who has worked on many jazz ensembles and his solos are of the well structured, melodic kind. He plays on every track and his invention is impressive although space is left for solos by other members of this lively ensemble. The orchestra is in the general style of the old Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band with an emphasis on hard swing, biting solo segments and attractive charts. Led by bassist Bergeron, he keeps mostly in the background, not taking solos but providing a solid pulse in conjunction with drummer John Yarling. Cheap Thrills and Widow’s Walk are features for Hart’s burgeoning guitar solos and he does well. Hart also gets the spotlight on Brace Yourself where he shares the solo honours with drummer Yarling.
The orchestra swings hard on Sometimes I Have Rhythm which features the trumpet of Gisbert in solo. Margitza, as noted, solos on every track with a strong attack and well wrought statements. The only standard is left to the last selection where Embraceable You is played, perhaps a shade too slowly. This orchestra, it seems, thrive on fresh, original material where they can solo and swing in uninhibited manner. It is a good example of big band jazz in the tradition of Basie, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and the Jones/Lewis outfit. Premonition, the longest track at almost ten minutes, is the most intricate but all the music here is worth hearing.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
