Jim Waller Big Band Bucket List

Jim Waller Big Band
Bucket List
Self-produced

A multi-instrumentalist (saxophones, trombone, piano, organ, guitar), arranger, record producer, and educator Jim Waller, fulfills an item on his personal bucket list with this big band album recording. Originally from California, his music career included playing in a surf group, The Deltas. Then he was part of a Las Vegas jazz-rock octet, Los Blues. He has been based in San Antonio since 1977 and worked with many prominent names. On this recording, Waller leads a 21-piece big band for which he wrote the arrangements and seven of the 14 tunes. Additionally, Waller solos formidably on tenor sax while also playing soprano sax and organ. Then there is a string section for his arrangement of "Rhapsody in Blue." Among notable persons on this album is drummer Will Kennedy from the Yellow Jackets and vocalist Jacqueline Soleto who is heard on five songs.

Waller's Big Band is a strong, swinging aggregation that opens with the spirited Brazilian groove of "Samba For Suzell," with first-rate solos from Waller, pianist Chris Villaneuva, and drummer Kennedy, who is particularly dynamic. Soleto is a singer I would not mind hearing more from starting from her ebullient take on Peggy Lee's "I Love Being Here With You." Her phrasing, pitch, and phrasing are right on along with her marvelous scatting. Waller's arrangement provides a Count Basie feel to it. She is a bit more sultry in a Peggy Lee manner on the interpretation of "Why Don't You Do Right." There are heartfelt renditions of "Georgia on My Mind," and "God Bless the Child." On this last song, the middle of the performance surprises with an animated Latin groove and Adam Carillo's terrific alto sax solo.

Waller's "Blues For Los Blues," a relaxed swinger with rousing solos by Jason Galbraith's on tenor sax solo and Dr. Joey Colarusso on baritone sax. The animated "Waltz For Laura" showcases Waller's robust tenor sax, followed by Lee Sparky Thomason's fiery trump. Waller's arrangement for "Rhapsody in Blue" is a brief performance marked by a quicker pace and a swing-based groove as Waller solos backed by a band augmented by a swing section. "A Ballad For Bob" showcases the warmth and melodic qualities Waller invests in his ballad playing. An unusual surprise is the swinging rendition of Bill Doggett's "Honky Tonk" dedicated to San Antonio native saxophonist Clifford Scott and guitarist Billy Butler who played on the hit recording. Juan Valdez evokes Butler's guitar solo on his solo before Waller salutes Scott with his own raucous solo that incorporates the trills characteristic of Scott's playing.

Those wanting a straight-ahead, swinging big band room recording need look no further than "Bucket List." Jim Waller has not fulfilled merely a personal goal but produced a wonderfully performed and thoroughly engaging recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist.