Rob Parton Two Different Days CD

"Two Different Days" is one, if not the best of six CD's the Parton band has released in fourteen years. The CD features Chicago trombonist extraordinare Tom Garling, the silky tenor sounds of Mark Colby, Rob Parton's sizzling lead and sultry flugelhorn sound throughout. The music features new arrangements from the pen of Thomas Matta. Most notably the swinging tune by Tadd Dameron, "On A Misty Night" and a burning version of "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You". Other tunes are the unforgettable "Take the A Train", "Speak Low", "How Deep Is the Ocean", "Soon" and a tune originally written for Stan Getz entitled "Blue Getz Blues", with Mark Colby playing the part of Stan Getz.This CD is truly an enjoyable hit and will certainly have a favorite track for everyone. One special track is an arrangement by Chicago's very talented orchestrator/conductor Cliff Colnot. The tune is a beautiful love song written by Chuck Mangione, "She's Gone". With many members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera Ochestra in the string section, this beautifully written song features Parton on flugelhorn surrounded by a 26 piece chamber orchestra with rhythm section. What a more appropriate ending for such an exciting CD with over seventy three minutes of music!You will see and hear more from the Parton band in the upcoming monthes as Parton will concentrate more on the development of a not for profit version of the band. "This is truly an exciting time for Chicago jazz and especially Big Band Jazz!" quotes Parton. It is his desire to feature both key historical repertoire and fresh new arrangements of American music featuring the talents of Chicago's most extraordinary arranger/composers.

Rob Parton: Rob Parton.
Personnel: Rob Parton (trumpet); Fox Fehling, Roberta Freier, Yué Zhang, Rika Seko, Simin Ganatra, Stefan Hersh, Ann Palen, Amy Cutler, Sigurbjorn Bernhardsson, Teresa Fream, Robert Swan (violin); Kristin Figard, Masumi Per Rostad, Catherine Brubaker, Keith Conant (viola); Lawrence D. Brown, Richard Hirsch, Katinka Kleijn (cello); Ken Partyka, Bob Frankich (alto saxophone); Mark Colby, Brian Budzik (tenor saxophone); Ted Hogarth (baritone saxophone); Mike McGrath, Marty Tilton, Scott Wagstaff, Kirk Garrison (trumpet); Andy Baker , Dan Johnson , Brian Jacobi, Tom Garling, Tim Coffman (trombone); Thomas Matta (bass trombone); Don Stille (piano); Bob Rummage (drums).
Additional personnel: Mike Smith (alto saxophone); Ron Ruvio (trumpet).
Recording information: Chicago Recording Company Studio 4 (05/01/2004-07/14/2004).
Arrangers: Don Schamber; Chris Madsen; Thomas Matta; Tom Garling; Kirk Garrison.
Since 1984, trumpeter Rob Parton has led his Jazztech Big Band in the Chicago area. A straight-ahead orchestra, this band has impressive musicianship, very professional soloists and a personality of its own within the modern mainstream of jazz. The arrangements of Don Schamber, Thomas Matta, Kirk Garrison, Chris Madsen and Tom Garling are inventive and the band's interpretations of ten jazz standards, "Blue Getz Blues" and Garling's "Two Different Days" are lively and full of spirit. Among the many highlights are features for Parton's flugelhorn on "Speak Low" and "My One And Only Love," tenor-saxophonist Mark Colby's playing throughout and trombonist Tom Garling's showcase on a medium-tempo version of "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You." The closing number, Chuck Mangione's "She's Gone," features Parton's flugelhorn with a string section. Big band collectors will certainly enjoy this excellent program. ~ Scott Yanow