The DIVA Jazz Orchestra & the Boys

The DIVA Jazz Orchestra
DIVA & the Boys
MCG Jazz

This latest album by The DIVA Jazz Orchestra is part of a celebration of 3 years of MCG Jazz, a label with which they have been associated with for over 25 years. This recording memorializes performances by the DIVA Jazz Orchestra at the Manchester Craftsman's Guild on March 10 and 11, 2017. These evenings they were joined by special guests clarinetist, Ken Peplowski, trumpeter Claudio Rodoti, trombonist Jay Ashby and guitarist Marty Ashby. Under the leadership of drummer Sherrie Maricle, the members of the Orchestra were Alexa Tarantino- alto sax, soprano sax, flute, and clarinet; Scheila Gonzales - alto sax, flute, and clarinet; Janelle Reichman tenor sax and clarinet; Roxy Cross, tenor sax, flute, and clarinet; Leigh Pilzer - baritone sax and bass clarinet; Tanya Darby - lead trumpet & flugelhorn; Jami Dauber - trumpet & flugelhorn; Rachel Therrien - trumpet & flugelhorn; Barbara Laronga- trumpet & flugelhorn; Jennifer Krupa - lead trombone; Linda Landis - trombone; Leslie Havens - bass trombone; Tomoko Ohno - piano; and Noriko Ueda - bass.

About the Diva Jazz Orchestra I commented in a review of their last CD, "25th Anniversary Project," that "Certain things should be taken for granted about this recording including the excellent playing, ensemble work, and a first-rate rhythm section, along with marvelous arrangements and orchestrations resulting in a terrific modern big band recording." The same applies here to the eight compositions, and their solos are of equal quality to their famous guests. This is evident during the first selection, Noriko Ueda's arrangement of Benny Goodman's "Slipped Disc," which features Ken Peplowski and Janelle Reichman on clarinet. The two who swap lines while the rhythm section briskly propels them, and the full band joins in, and the orchestra trades four with Marcie before the tempo rockets to the close. Jobim's "A Felicidade" is one of three bossa nova compositions heard here. Besides Rodoti's mellifluous trumpet, Roxy Cross's lyrical tenor saxophone is spotlighted along with bassist Ueda. Jay Ashby contributed "Deference to Diz," a relaxed big band bop-flavored number that incorporates phrases from some Gillespie classics. Peplowski, Roditi, and Jay Ashby solo along with pianist Ohno with the full band riffing in support.

Jay Ashby also arranged the Ivan Lins-Vitor Martins' composition "Noturna" with Jay's melodic trombone in focus while Marty Ashby plays chords on acoustic guitar. It is a beautiful performance. Peplowski opens "The One I Love Belongs to Someone Else." Trumpeter Jamie Dauber is showcased playing with a mute and pianist Ohno displaying her fluid approach while the arrangement allows the intensity to build to an explosive close. Roditi takes up the piccolo trumpet his "Piccolo Blues," a performance on which The DIVA Jazz Orchestra evokes the later Count Basie Band. Besides Roditi, Jennifer Krupa's trombone and Alexa Tarantino's soprano saxophone are featured on this.

Closing this recording, there is an elegant rendition of "Estate," featuring Peplowski's clarinet, and a rousing rendition of Plas Johnson's "Bucket O' Blues." The latter number showcases all the members of the saxophone section who trade fours with each other before pianist Ohno channels Junior Mance and Harold Mabern for her solo. The full band takes out "Bucket O' Blues" in a highly animated fashion. It caps another exceptional recording by The DIVA Jazz Orchestra.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a recent performance by The DIVA Jazz Orchestra.