Maynard Ferguson These Cats Can Swing! CD

Maynard Ferguson & Big Bop Nouveau: Maynard Ferguson (vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn); Matt Wallace (vocals, alto & tenor saxophones); Chip McNeill (soprano & tenor saxophones); Jon Owens, Joey Tartell, Carl Fischer (trumpet); Tom Garling (trombone); Ron Oswanski (piano, organ, keyboards); Chris Berger (acoustic & electric basses); Jason Harnell (drums).

The High-Note King, Maynard Ferguson, is heard on this 1995 release with a group of young, budding jazz musicians. Each member of the ensemble holds his own against the legendary trumpeter, and the section work and soloing abilities of these players are impressive, to say the least.

Ferguson's band, Big Bop Nouveau, is a scaled-down (10-piece) big band, and they perform seven taut tracks here, including the bluesy, hard-bop standard "Sugar" and the classic montuno "Caravan." Most other selections on THESE CATS CAN SWING! are either written or co-written by Ferguson himself. "He Can't Swing" is a light number that features a rare vocal performance by Ferguson. A comical song about musicians who are more about style than substance, this tune pokes fun at various personality types. Unlike the song's title, the band swings hard on this cut, and Ferguson himself plays a blistering trumpet solo. The last track, "It's the Gospel Truth," goes through many transformations, spotlighting a number of these soloists, especially trombonist Tom Garling. This composition eventually morphs into a raucous cut-time gospel groove, which leads to the album's climactic end.

Recorded at Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, California in 1994. Includes liner notes by Maynard Ferguson.

Personnel: Maynard Ferguson (vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn); Matt Wallace (vocals, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Sandea (tamboura); Chip McNeill (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Joey Tartell, Jon Owens, John Owens , Carl Fischer (trumpet); Tom Garling (trombone); Ron Oswanski (piano, organ, keyboards); Jason Harnell (drums); Lorenzo Martinez (percussion).

Liner Note Author: Maynard Ferguson.

Recording information: Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, CA (1994).

Additional personnel: Sandea (tamboura); Lorenzo Martinez (percussion).Entertainment Weekly (10/06/95, p.65) - "...Ferguson's zesty trumpet work is as impressive as ever. But it's the joie de vivre of the whole cohesive ensemble--not just Ferguson's brilliant horn work--that makes this his most satisfying album in ages." - Rating: A-
JazzTimes (2/96, pp.86-88) - "At 68, Maynard Ferguson's thrill-filled hornucopia is still spilling over with joyous power....His current mod squad swings hard and tight throughout....MF's latest little-big-band fulfills every element of its name, creating a big sound with hot bop chops and a fresh, new approach that roars from start to finish."