Pete Petersen Night & Day CD

Night & Day celebrates the return of Peter Petersen's dynamic Collection Jazz Orchestra to the recording studio after a seven-year hiatus. This is far too long an absence for this aggregation, one of the leading champions of big-band music today. This session is a sophisticated, swinging affair by a regular big-band ensemble augmented by French horns. The album consists of 11 standards and originals, and features arrangements by composer/pianist Dave Zoller, the inestimable Sammy Nestico, Mike Abene, and John Oddo, among others. The kickoff tune, the classic Sir Charles Thompson/Illinois Jacquet-composed "Robbins Nest," sets the musical table for the many tasty musical morsels that follow. The title tune, "Night and Day," is a fresh, rousing rendition of Cole Porter's masterpiece. Scott Whitfield's arrangement of "The More I See You" takes on a modernistic hue and features a lengthy, intricate solo by guitarist Chris DeRose. "Dr. Bob" is one of Zoller's more inventive compositions and is enhanced by a Chris Seiter trombone solo. Things get a bit syncopated on a unique arrangement of "East of the Sun," with Randy Lee (on both alto and flute) and Zoller taking on the solo chores; Zoller recalls "Holiday for Strings" during one of his solos on this almost eight-minute exploration of the Brooks Bowman tune. The sax section takes center stage on "Round Midnight," gliding in and out with the ubiquitous Lee. Whitfield's "Check It Out" is a vehicle for solos by several members of the band, but it's Jeff Bair's boppish tenor that takes honors on this one. Petersen allots himself some solo space on a poignant offering of "My Romance," where he's joined by Jack Evans' high-powered trumpet. The blues are acknowledged on "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You," with John Adams going back and forth with Zoller's tinkling piano. The arrangements not only set off the fine solos throughout, but the high-caliber ensemble work as well, a characteristic of earlier recordings of Petersen's group. Hopefully, we won't have to wait another seven years for another album from this fine group. ~ Dave Nathan

standard big band ensemble augmented w. a French horn section creates a sophisticated, swinging affair w. a variety of arranging styles contributed by Dave Zoller, John Oddo, Mike Abene, Scott Whitfield, Bill Rogers, Rick Stitzel & Sammy Nestico

Full performer name: Pete Petersen & The Collection Jazz Orchestra.

Personnel: Pete Petersen (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Will Campbell, Randy Lee, Tim Ishii (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone); Jeff Bair, Pete Brewer (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Tom Frye, Jay Saunders, Jack Evans, Bill Collins, Larry Spencer, Keith Jourdan (trumpet, flugelhorn); Terry Reynolds, Chris Dulin, Mike Morrow, Sterling Procter (French horn); Dave Butler, Chris Seiter, Keith Adkins (trombone); Eric Swanson (bass trombone, tuba); Chuck Mandernach (bass trombone); Dave Zoller (piano); Mike Drake (drums).

Audio Mixer: Phil Sheridan.

Recording information: Regal Studios, Dallas, TX.

Arrangers: Dave Zoller; John Oddo; Michael Abene; Rick Stitzel; Sammy Nestico; Scott Whitfield; Billy Rogers.JazzTimes (12/96, p.134) - "...Manned by veterans...this organization appears to be one of the most eminently qualified to back the top-drawing acts of the Sinatras, both pere et fil, and Steve and Eydie, as well as a number of west coast jazz soloists in venues as far afield as Las Vegas and Mexico City. On this recording, they offer a post-Kentonian glitter to 11 charts..."