Scott Whitfield Minute Game CD

Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra West: Scott Whitfield; Larry Williams , Anne King (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gary Tole , Rusty Higgins, Tom Ranier, Roger Neumann, Richard Bullock, Ray Herrmann, Kendall Kay, Roger Ingram, Bryant Byers, Jennifer Leitham.
Personnel: Scott Whitfield (vocals, trombone); Rusty Higgins (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Ray Herrmann (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Tom Ranier (clarinet, piano); Roger Neumann (bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Larry E. Williams, Anna King, Roger Ingram (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gary Tole (trombone); Richard Bullock, Bryant Byers (bass trombone); Kendall Kay (drums).
Liner Note Author: Herb Wong.
Recording information: Entourage Studios, North Hollywood, CA (03/17/2004-03/18/2004).
Author: Bob Florence.
Arranger: Scott Whitfield.
An enthusiastic and skilled trombonist, arranger-composer and singer, Scott Whitfield can always be counted on to provide musical excitement. This big band album, utilizing some of his favorite West Coast players, has an emphasis on heated material with six of the ten songs being Whitfield originals. Hank Mobley's "This I Dig of You" features tenor solos and trade-offs by Roger Neumann, Rusty Higgins and Ray Hermann, while Whitfield's "Splat" has Bryant Byers, Gary Tole and the leader all taking trombone solos. Other selections include a jazz waltz version of Lee Morgan's classic "Ceora," two vocal numbers for Whitfield ("City Butterfly" and "Moonlight In Vermont") and an explosive "Hiccups" which has a memorable Larry E. Williams trumpet solo. Fans of modern straight-ahead big bands will definitely want this exciting release. ~ Scott Yanow

Live Recording

Down Beat (p.70) - "[A] program of a half dozen originals and some creatively reconfigured covers."
JazzTimes (p.108) - "He turns Lee Morgan's 'Ceora' into a lilting waltz and contributes a gutsy solo, followed by eloquent statements from flugelhornist Anne King and bassist Jennifer Leitham."