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 (3 Customer Reviews)
The mostly all-female Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra is a solid stage band that plays straight-ahead jazz. Few surprises occur in the arrangements but one could imagine this band being fun to see in concert. Greta Matassa is impressive during her two vocals ("Fly Me To The Moon" and "As Long As I'm Singing") and the best soloists are tenor-saxophonist Sue Orfield and pianist Ann Reynolds. The ensembles are clean and full of spirit and most of the soloists fare quite well. Highlights include the Latin feel of "The Hiding Place," the warm trombones of Carolyn Coster and Mariah Ralston on "Pura Emocion," "Peanut Vendor" and the lengthy "Two to Tango." ~ Scott Yanow
"I was immediately swept up by the magnetic personality of this band..." - Trumpet Guild Journal. Performing the music of Johnny Griffin, Kim Richmond, Bobby Darin and their director, Daniel Barry, the 4-year-old SWOJO shows their breadth of style and sp
Recording information: Art Institute Of Seattle (02/10/2003-08/20/2003); Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA (02/10/2003-08/20/2003); Jazz Zone, Lima, Peru (02/10/2003-08/20/2003); Tacoma Jazz Festival (02/10/2003-08/20/2003).
Photographer: Mark Drake.
Arrangers: Sammy Nestico; Dick Vance.
Personnel: Greta Matassa (vocals); Daniel Barry (conch shell, trumpet); Sue Orfield (tenor saxophone); Dennis Haldane, Angela Smith (trumpet); Ann Reid Reynolds (piano); Susan Pascal (vibraphone); Scott Fry (drums).
Audio Mixers: David Pascal; Daniel Barry.
Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra Dreamcatcher Songs Dreamcatcher Music Review Average Rating: (4.7 out of 5 stars)   Women can play great jazz, too!
The overall sound on the Dreamcatcher album is very good. The ensemble work and the soloists are first rate. Now I want to go hear this orchestra live.
Submitted by barryanne3 (Kent, WA, USA) 
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 YOU GO GIRLS !
While not a huge big band fan I happened to go see SWOJO in concert recently and was blown away by the music ! Not my father's big band fare , this music is wonderfully original and full of life and contemporary while still being totally engaging. I had to get the album ! I am completely thrilled by this recording as the fun these women are having fully translates to this cd. The music of Daniel Barry also merits mentioning. It seems his writing is a fine marriage with this eager band and I expect this is a relationship that will produce many fine recordings in the future. I will be on the lookout !
Submitted by breve (seattle, wa)
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This bunch can play...
I picked this recording up at a "swojo" performance at Seattle's Jazz Alley in October and am happy to report this is one FINE cd! Great tunes, section playing, and soloists--Ann Reynolds (piano), Angela Smith (trpt), Sheryl Clark (tenor). Fantastic guest appearances from vocalist Greta Matassa (she's on fire as usual). Several original compositions from the director, Daniel Barry, and other Seattle-ites (Al Farlow, Vern Sielert). All in all, nicely done SWOJO!
Submitted by lovesjazz (Seattle WA USA)
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