The David Angel Jazz Ensemble - Out on the Coast

The David Angel Jazz Ensemble - Out on the Coast - Basset Hound Productions

The David Angel Jazz Ensemble grew out of the rehearsal band that Angel began in 1969. While the group featured many West Coast jazz giants over the years, it currently consists of 13 top-notch players to showcase Angel's compositions and arrangements. While Angel is one of the most respected composers/arrangers on the West Coast; however, he is virtually unknown to the general public. Jim Self wanted to correct this by documenting his music. 

The members of the ensemble are David Angel - tenor sax, conductor; Phil Feather - alto & soprano sax, piccolo, flute, alto flute; Gene Cipriano - alto & soprano sax, clarinet; Jim Quam - tenor sax, clarinet; Tom Peterson - tenor sax, flute, alto flute; Bob Carr - baritone sax, bass clarinet; Jonathan Dane - trumpet, flugelhorn; Ron Stout - trumpet, flugelhorn; Stephanie O'Keefe - horn; Scott Whitfield - trombone; Jin Self - tuba, bass trombone; John Chiodini - guitar; Susan Quam - bass; and Paul Kreibich - drums. This ensemble laid down 22 tracks in just four days, right before the pandemic hit. There are 15 original compositions by Angel and his arrangements of seven standards. These are spread over three discs containing two and 3/4 hours worth of music. 

In the booklet that accompanies this 3 CD set, Jim Self observes, "This group is not so much a big band, but a 13 piece jazz chamber ensemble. Every chart has extensive space for jazz solos. I like to describe his stuff as 'Gil Evans meets J. S. Bach" – let that sink into your mind! Imagine the jazz harmonic complexities of Evans with the Polyphonic lines of Bach. …"

Angel's writing is striking and fresh to these ears. The set opens with "Out on the Coast 2," one of four such named pieces. It starts with a sax trio before the full band joins in swinging with a crisp, measure sound that evokes to these ears an expanded Clifford Brown-Max Roach band. Guitarist Chiodoni takes a choice, skillfully constructed solo here. There is a Latin-accented arrangement for the Arthur Schwartz standard, "Alone Together," with a superb trumpet solo from Jonathan Dane. Angel certainly captures the essence of Duke Ellington's "Prelude to a Kiss" that features a gorgeous Gene Cipriano alto sax solo set against the handsome setting Angel crafted.

"Ah Rite!" is a swinger opening with Bob Carr's husky baritone sax, with mood and tempo shifts along with another strong Dane trumpet solo, Scott Mayfield's plunger mute trombone, and a vital ensemble sax section. After this unique blues, we are treated to the impressionistic "Wild Strawberries," with its lush horn voicings. Jim Self takes a lengthy solo on Johnny Mandel's "Hershey Bar." Tenor saxophonist Tom Peterson takes the spotlight on "Loverman," again, with Angel providing a glorious framework for his playing. One can hear the classical influences in Angel's compositions in the waltz, "Leaves," as well as his interpretation of Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower is a Lonesome Thing." Scott Whitfield's trombone is showcased on "Leaves," while the warmth of Stephanie O'Keefe's French horn takes the spotlight on the Strayhorn classic. 

Hopefully, this sampling of the performances provides an idea of the range of music heard here that is only touched on here. Jim Self and David Angel comment on each selection, and the soloists on each track are identified in the accompanying booklet. This information enhances the pleasures one has listening to the superb performances on an outstanding big band jazz recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is an interview with David Angel & Jim Self discussing this release.

Angelo Divino Love A To Z

Angelo Divino
Love A To Z

A veteran of the jazz and cabaret scene which included performing with the Duke Ellington Legacy Band, write and perform in a show devoted to the Ellington legacy and later did the same with respect to the Frank Sinatra legacy. In the Los Angeles he began an association with the very fine Barbara Morrison. The present album has all original songs from Z Overall that relate to the many facets of love. Backing Divino here are Rich Eames on piano and keyboards; Adrian Rosen on bass; Michael Rosen on drums and harmonica; Doug Webb on saxophone; and Jonathan Dane on trumpet, cornet, and flugelhorn.

While I am not enamored with the songs, I do find plenty in charm with Divino's singing. His relaxed delivery, intonation, pitch, phrasing and the clarity of his enunciation have an engaging quality as does the backing band. Webb's tenor on the opening "Hey Life," while pianist Eames shines in his light accompaniment on the lament, "About Last Night," with Dane's lovely flugelhorn solo. There is the playful "Fun and Games," and his plaintive vocal on "Strangers Again" with Dane's fine muted trumpet. Other songs include the amusing, and buoyant "Flying Saucers," with Eames featured on keyboards, and another wistful song, "I Love You, Goodbye," the lovely reflective "I Remember" with Michael Rosen's atmospheric harmonica, and "Love Is a Place To Stay," with a light, Brazilian groove.

There is much to enjoy here in Divino's warm, relaxed singing and the solid, supportive backing Angelo Divino receives. The only fault I might point to are (what I find to be) uninspiring originals, that he so ably performs. He is a singer that I hope to hear from again. 

I received a review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the May-June 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 378), although I made a few minor changes. Here is a video he made to accompany "Flying Saucers."