The Radam Schwartz Organ Big Band Message From Groove and GW

The Radam Schwartz Organ Big Band
Message From Groove and GW
Arabesque Records

Jazz organists have not often recorded with a full Big Band. Jimmy Smith with Oliver Nelson, and Groove Holmes with Gerald Wilson, are among the few exceptions. Holmes even played the bass part on a couple of songs on his recording. Organist Radam Schwartz, joined by Abel Mireles' Jazz Exchange Orchestra, maybe the first organist to play all of the bass lines throughout an entire big band album. He named his new Arabesque release "Message From Groove And GW." after the Holmes/Wilson album. In addition to his organ playing, Schwartz contributed three originals and five of the ten arrangements to the project. He named the album "Message From Groove and GW" after the Holmes and Wilson album.

It should be noted that the album cover highlights the presence of David F. Gibson on drums. In addition to Schwartz and Gibson, the members of the Mireles' Jazz Exchange Orchestra are trumpets- Ted Chubb, Ben Hankle, James Cage, Lee Hogans; Saxophones- Anthony Ware, Danny Raycraft-alto sax, Abel Mireles, Gene Ghee-tenor sax, Ben Kovacs-baritone sax; and Trombone- Peter Lin, Andrae Murchison; Charlie Sigler on guitar. Schwartz solos throughout, while 12 of the 13 members take some robust solos on the ten tunes.

This album is full of hot swinging grooves, blues feel, and plenty of organ grease starting with Schwartz's "Trouble Don't Last," with some hot alto sax from Danny Raycraft. Riffing horns frame solos from Raycrat, Mireles, Sigler, and the leader of a fiery interpretation of John Coltrane's "Blues Minor." Aretha Franklin's hit "Any Day Now" becomes a solid swinger with brass fire from Ted Chubb as Schwartz adds orchestral cover on the B3 while the other horns riff. Schwartz's "Dig You Like Crazy" is bebop original taken at a lightning-quick tempo with blistering trumpet from Chubb and alto sax by Anthony Ware.

Other standout selections include a rendition of the Isley Brother's "Between the Sheets," which takes the musical temperature down a touch with some lovely soloing from guitarist Sigler and alto saxophonist Ware. The title track is a soulful, straight-ahead swinger built on a memorable riff with rousing solos from Ben Kovacs on baritone sax and Andrae Murchison on trombone. Also outstanding is the performance of Charles Mingus' "Work Song." Schwartz's arrangement and steamy organ add to the passionate down-in-the alley playing, including trumpeter Ben Hankle growling mute solo, Murchinson's tailgate trombone, and Anthony Ware's bluesy alto sax.

The album closes with Peter Lin's trombone, and drummer Gibson featured on a concise rendition of Bach's "Von Gott," interpreted as a ballad. It is a refreshing change of pace on an outstanding, superbly played and arranged release. If organ jazz is thought of as the equivalent of steak and potatoes, "Message From Groove and GW" is the musical equivalent of a perfectly cooked filet mignon.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is Radam Schwartz with a big band performing Charles' Mingus' "Work Song."