Mike Tentet Cado Nimmons 'N' Ninenow CD

The Mike Cadó TentetThe initial idea to form this group grew out of Mike Cadó’s personal interest in the compositional and orchestration techniques of Phil Nimmons, his Master’s research at York University, and his sheer admiration with the extraordinary ensemble and solo playing of the original group. Since the original group’s debut performance at the Stratford Shakespearean Festival in 1956, Nimmons ‘n’ Nine became one of the most important and influential jazz ensembles in Canadian history, went on to record several albums and was regularly featured on weekly radio broadcasts at the CBC. The Mike Cadó Tentet performs compositions that haven’t been heard for over 40 years and many of the musical selections have never been commercially available on records or CDs. Equipped with the original Nimmons arrangements, the dynamic group interprets these historic compositions and also performs new compositions by various group members. The ensemble consists of Canada’s finest jazz musicians including John MacMurchy – clarinet, Andy Ballantyne – alto saxophone, Kelly Jefferson – tenor saxophone, David Mott – baritone saxophone, Jason Logue – trumpet, William Carn – trombone, Tom Szczesniak – accordion, Mike Cadó – leader/guitar, Andrew Downing – bass, and Anthony Michelli – drums. The Mike Cadó Tentet debuted on March 3, 2003 commemorating the 80th birthday year of Phil Nimmons and the 50th anniversary of the formation of Nimmons ‘n’ Nine, and since then, has performed in various festivals, concert series, conferences, and nightclubs. The Mike Cadó Tentet is a tightly-knit group that presents innovative and sophisticated music that pushes the boundaries of modern jazz while still maintaining a strong sense of earthy swing…seemingly effortlessly!Nimmons ‘n’ Nine…Now! represents the long-awaited debut recording of The Mike Cadó Tentet. Equipped with the original arrangements, the release features a selection of historic Nimmons compositions that haven’t been heard for over 40 years and have never before been commercially available. In addition, Nimmons ‘n’ Nine…Now! also includes original compositions by various group members penned specifically for this unique instrumentation which capture the adventurous spirit and collaborative character first exhibited in the early recordings. The Mike Cadó Tentet is comprised of the finest instrumentalists, composers, and arrangers in the country including John MacMurchy – clarinet, Andy Ballantyne – alto sax, Kelly Jefferson – tenor sax, David Mott – bari sax, Jason Logue – trumpet, William Carn – trombone, Tom Szczesniak – accordion, Mike Cadó – guitar, Andrew Downing – bass, and Anthony Michelli – drums. Nimmons ‘n’ Nine…Now! opens with an Andy Ballantyne composition that successfully bridges the “Then and Now” aspect of the project. According to the composer, the piece is “a grateful homage to Phil Nimmons’ compositional style based on the venerable 12-bar blues form. I tried to capture the energy, humour and flair for the unexpected that is always present in Phil's music.” William Carn, Kelly Jefferson, and David Mott are featured, each playing on the basic blues but in keys a major third apart. While “It Sounds Like You” was originally a trombone feature, Cadó decided it would make an appropriate feature for trumpeter Jason Logue. Although his steadfast ensemble playing is confirmed throughout the recording, here, his versatility as a soloist is demonstrated as well. “But It’s Dark…” is another Ballantyne composition that was inspired by his 8-year old son Neil, whose standard protest when told to go to bed is “but it's dark up there!” According to Ballantyne, “the darkly brooding diminished harmony alternates with a more reassuring main theme set over a bossa-nova rhythm.” It features the composer on alto and accordionist Tom Szczesniak whose role in the gro