University Of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble Dialogues CD

University Of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble: Miles Osland (leader, soprano, alto, tenor & baritone saxophones); Jeremy Long (alto saxophone); Bryan Murray, Corey Lareau (tenor saxophone); Don Steins (baritone saxophone); Jonathan Anderson (saxophone); Tim Altman, Josh Thompson, Sara Marchetti, Brandon Stinnett, Jessica Ware (trumpet); David Ashley, Greg Apps, Bill Kite, David Henderson (trombone); Lee Watts (bass trombone); Tony Granados (tuba); Dr. Richard Domek, Nathan Cole, Darren Mitchell (piano); Larry Nelson (bass); Marcus Reddick, Jamie Podojil (drums); John Best (percussion).

University of Kentucky director of jazz studies Miles Osland continues to release albums featuring the various student jazz groups he has put together during his tenure at the school. On Dialogues, it's the University of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble playing with the same high standards that characterize Osland's earlier releases. As always, there is an imaginative play list featuring a standard or two, contemporary jazz music, an oddball piece, and some tunes penned by his students. Most of the tunes fall into the contemporary composer category with pieces by Bob Mintzer, Don Menza, Ernie Watts, Bill Holman, and other current jazz practitioners. One of the highlights of the album is the tender, expressive baritone sax of Don Steins on "Miss Ella," charted by big-band director Matt Catingub. Steins clearly has in mind becoming a member of the elite of contemporary big horn masters like Gary Smulyan, Nick Brignola, and Joe Temperley. Steins is also featured on "Perdido." Something called "Goober the Accursed" is a piece the Kentucky Marching Band used to play at football games. Osland has altered the tempo and the structure and done some other things, transforming it into an inventive piece for large jazz orchestra. Corey Lareau's tenor sax is prominent on this jazz piece cum march. Things really get exciting and slightly dissonant with Bob Florence's blasting "Tenors, Anyone?," with some steady tenor sax work by Lareau and Bryan Murray. The eccentric selection on the play list is "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," although "No Joy in Mudville" may also fit that bill. "Ball Game" is played by the ensemble's sax section, and Osland displays his versatility and virtuosity on baritone, tenor, alto, and soprano saxes. An instrumental other than a sax is given the solo spotlight with the trumpet of Josh Thompson on Don Menza's "Blues for Uncommon Kids," which feeds off Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man." This track also features some exciting drumming by Marcus Reddick. A hallmark of Osland's groups is the presence of a hard-hitting drum man to drive the group. The University of Kentucky jazz program continues to break new ground by forging jazz music that is both inventive and entertaining, a combination often hard to attain. ~ Dave Nathan

Recorded at DBH Sound, Lexington, Kentucky. Includes liner notes by Dr. Herb Wong.

Full performer name: University Of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble.

Personnel: Bryan Murray, Jeremy Long, Don Steins, Jonathan Anderson (saxophone); Miles Osland (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Sara Marchetti, Jessica Ware, Brandon Stinnett, Josh Thompson, Tim Altman (trumpet); David Henderson, David Ashley (trombone); Bill Watts (bass trombone); Dr. Richard Domek (piano); John Best (percussion).

Audio Mixers: David Henderson; Miles Osland.

Liner Note Author: Herb Wong.

Director: Miles Osland.

Editors: David Henderson; Miles Osland.