Michael Feinstein Big City Rhythms CD

Micheal Feinstein is widely known as the urbane, gentle-voiced interpreter of standards, heir apparent to the Great American Songbook tradition. Maynard Ferguson's primary image is that of trumpet maniac, coming dangerously close to blowing his skull out on frenzied flurries of impossibly high notes. Both of these images merely scratch the surface, a fact that makes it possible for the ostensibly incompatible Feinstein and Ferguson to collaborate successfully on BIG CITY RHYTHMS.

Despite his hard-blowing rep, Ferguson, here the leader of a big band, is capable of extraordinary tastefulness and subtlety as he provides sympathetic, swinging accompaniment for Feinstein. The singer, best known as a tender purveyor of piano ballads, proves eminently suited for strutting the boards in grand style on brassy, uptempo swing arrangements of such tunes as Rodgers & Hart's "Johnny One Note" and the self-penned, humorously timely "Swing Is Back in Style."

/The Maynard Ferguson Big Band.

Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California between August 2 & 4, 1999.

Personnel: Maynard Ferguson (leader, trumpet, flugelhorn); Mike Dubaniewicz, Gary Foster, Matt Catingub (alto saxophone); Jim Brenan, Dan Higgins (tenor saxophone); Sal Lozano (baritone saxophone); Bobby Shew (trumpet, flugelhorn); Adolpho Acosta, Wayne Bergeron, Brian Ploeger (trumpet); Bryant Byers (trombone, bass trombone); Tom Garling, Alex Iles, Reggie Watkins (trombone); Jim Self (tuba); Earl MacDonald (piano); Dennis Budimir (guitar); Brian Stahurski (bass); Dave Throckmorton, Albie Berk (drums); Larry Bunker (percussion).

Producers: Allen Sviridoff, John Burk, Maynard Furguson.

Personnel: Michael Feinstein (vocals, piano); Dennis Budimir (guitar); Mike Dubaniewicz, Gary Foster, Matt Catingub (alto saxophone); Dan Higgins, Jim Brenan (tenor saxophone); Sal Lozano (baritone saxophone); Maynard Ferguson, Bobby Shew (trumpet, flugelhorn); Adolfo Acosta, Brian Ploeger, Wayne Bergeron (trumpet); Tom Garling, Alexander Iles, Reggie Watkins (trombone); Bryant Byers (bass trombone); Jim Self (tuba); Earl MacDonald (piano); Dave Throckmorton, Albie Berk (drums); Larry Bunker (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Leslie Ann Jones.

Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA (08/02/1999/08/04/1999).

Director: Alexis Davis.

Photographer: Bruce Burr.

Arrangers: Eddie Karam; Mort Lindsey; Alan Broadbent; Patrick Williams; Tom Garling.JazzTimes (5/00, pp.190-1) - "...This is a new musical dimension, a big band led and amply enriched by Maynard Ferguson's still-thrilling horns....predictably pretty....Those who favor Harry Connick Jr. will take to Feinstein..."