DMP Big Band Salutes Duke Ellington CD - Import

This tribute to Duke Ellington by the DMP Big Band is perfectly done. While the 15 songs are all familiar, the arrangements are not necessarily of the original recordings but sometimes are later versions from Duke's band. All of the key Ellington soloists are represented by similar-sounding modern players with most of the solos not being note-for-note recreations but improvisations built logically within the style of the player. Trumpeter Lew Soloff does a convincing Cat Anderson (check him out on "Rockin' In Rhythm"), pianist Dan Rosengard often sounds like Ellington and each of the trombonists (including the one Duke alumnus Britt Woodman) has their moments to shine. The brass makes liberal use of the wa-wa plunger sound, Dave Glasser on alto comes close to Johnny Hodges and Doug Lawrence emulates Ben Webster. This is one of the very best Duke Ellington big band tribute projects. ~ Scott Yanow

This tribute to Duke Ellington by the DMP Big Band is perfectly done. While the 15 songs are all familiar, the arrangements are not necessarily of the original recordings but sometimes are later versions from Duke's band. All of the key Ellington soloists are represented by similar-sounding modern players with most of the solos not being note-for-note re-creations but improvisations built logically within the style of the player. Trumpeter Lew Soloff does a convincing Cat Anderson (check him out on "Rockin' in Rhythm"), pianist Dan Rosengard often sounds like Ellington and each of the trombonists (including the one Duke alumnus Britt Woodman) has their moments to shine. The brass makes liberal use of the wa-wa plunger sound, Dave Glasser on alto comes close to Johnny Hodges and Doug Lawrence emulates Ben Webster. This is one of the very best Duke Ellington big band tribute projects. ~ Scott Yanow

Liner Note Author: Dean Pratt.

Recording information: Ambient Recording Studio, Stamford, CT (02/02/1996-02/04/1996).

DMP Big Band: Steve Wilson (alto saxophone); Dave Glasser (alto saxophone, clarinet); Patience Higgins (tenor saxophone); Jay Branford (baritone saxophone, clarinet); Bob Millikan, Lew Soloff, Ron Tooley, Ryan Kisor (trumpet); Scott Whitfield, Brad Shigeta, Britt Woodman (trombone); Diane Montalbine (violin); Dan Rosengard (piano); Lynn Seaton (bass); John Riley (drums).

Personnel: Diane Montalbine (violin); Dave Glasser (clarinet, alto saxophone); Doug Lawrence (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Jay Branford (clarinet, baritone saxophone); Patience Higgins (tenor saxophone); Lew Soloff, Ryan Kisor, Bob Millikan, Ron Tooley (trumpet); Brad Shigeta, Scott Whitfield, Britt Woodman (trombone); Dan Rosengard, Lynn Seaton (piano).

JazzTimes (8/97, p.82) - "...superior technology, which is designed to apply to both four-and five-channel systems as well as enhancing the sound of conventional two-channel set-ups, these performances...rank with the best in the realm of jazz repertory....flawlessly executed..."