The Diva Jazz Orchestra 25th Anniversary Project

The Diva Jazz Orchestra
25th Anniversary Project
ArtistShare

Sherrie Muncie was playing drums in a band that Stanley Kay, one-time manager and relief drummer for Buddy Rich, was conducting. Struck by on her extraordinary talent, he began to wonder if there were other women players who could perform at the same level. The search was on and through nationwide auditions, the foundation for DIVA was poured in June 1992, with its first performance on March 30, 1993 at New York University. Since their premiere performance, DIVA has toured the world to critical and popular acclaim and long ago transcended whatever novelty some may have initially viewed them.

In the subsequent quarter center they have become one of the most respected jazz big bands as Diva exudes the excitement and force found in the tradition of the historic big bands but with an eye towards today’s progressive sound and originality, performing all over the world at clubs and festivals in among such cities as New York City, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Montreal, Paris, Rome, Zagreb and Bern. They have shared stages with some of the most revered performers including Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Diane Schuur, Carmen Bradford, Marlena Shaw, DeeDee Bridgewater, Rosemary Clooney, Clark Terry, Dr. Billy Taylor, Tommy Newsom, Randy Brecker, Dave Brubeck and many more.

The personnel on this celebration of a quarter century of music is Sherrie Maricle - Music Director/drummer; Noriko Ueda - bass; Tomoko Ohno - piano; Leslie Havens - bass trombone; Sara Jacovino - trombone; Jennifer Krupa - trombone; Rachel Therrien - trumpet, flugelhorn; Barbara Laronga  - trumpet, flugelhorn; Jami Dauber -  trumpet, flugelhorn, manager; Liesl Whitaker - trumpet, flugelhorn; Leigh Pilzer - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Erica von Kleist - tenor saxophone; Janelle Reichman - tenor saxophone, clarinet; Mercedes Beckman - alto saxophone, flute, clarinet; and Alexa Tarantino - alto saxophone, soprano saxophone. Not only are these outstanding musicians, but twelve of them are composers and arrangers with nine of them contributing the twelve originals here.

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. Just to touch on a few of the ten tracks this disc opens with the driving, swinging swagger of Leigh Pilzer's "East Coast Andy," that has searing trumpet from trumpeter Jami Dauber along with Pilzer's husky baritone. This listener detects a middle-eastern flavor to Janelle Reichman's hauntingly lovely "Middleground," with a neat, short electric piano solo from Tomoko Ohno before Reichman's clarinet solo. Reichman and Ohno's arrangement handsomely frames her twisting, invention solo which is full of warmth. There is a retro tinge to Barbara Larongo's "Jami's Tune," with nicely played muted brass before the reeds blast in leading into Liesl Whitaker's muted trumpet solo with Marcie's crisp drums leading to some nice middle register trumpet and then trading lines between the two featured players. Tomoko Ohno's "La Americana" has a latin flavor with the composer soloing along with drummer Marcie, clarinetist Reichman, and guest soloist, Marcia Callas on congas.

Trombonist Jennifer Krupa says that what she values most about DIVA is "collaboration, camaraderie, and creativity. I hope when the listeners hear "A Quarter Past the Last Minute," they will feel as joyful, optimistic, resilient, and determined as DIVA!" Those feelings likely are also felt about the entirety of The Diva Jazz Orchestra's remarkable "25th Anniversary Project."

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the May-June 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 378). Here is a recent performance from the Diva Jazz Orchestra from this year.