Dan West; Presenting The Dan West Big Band

Big bands? Sure, they're still very much with us. They don't just play “Whispering” and “Tie A Yellow Ribbon” anymore. For which most of us, I dare say,challenging charts, and often solo work by selected band members. So, amigos, it's a different big band notion than “music for dancers” which once dominated the scene. A very skilled example of this concept is the Dan West Big Band. They provide us with seven excellent performances of this buoyant creativity. Tempo-wise, everything is covered with high marks for skill and enthusiasm. Solos are spot-on, never too much frosting on this cake. So I'd advise you to leap out of that easy chair and enjoy today's approach to the term “big band”. 

Wayside Records; 2025; terms not indicated.