THIS SITE PROMOTES FUN JAZZ!

Excerpts from and links to album reviews of rather boisterous jazz albums. Artist info links at: Wikipedia; website; Discogs; Bandcamp as available. Links to the full album on: basic/free YouTube; subscription Spotify; purchase download Bandcamp. Check your favorite service. Please enjoy!

Friday, February 23, 2024

WDR Big Band & Jim McNeely - YouTube song - ‘Mel’

The WDR Big Band posted this tune recently.


From the YouTube info: “The WDR BIG BAND plays his composition ‘Mel’ under the direction of Jim McNeely. Solos are played by Hans Dekker on drums and Paul Heller on tenor saxophone. Live recording of the concert ‘Past And Present’ in the Cologne Philharmonic (December 2023).”

Pianist/composer/arranger Jim McNeely has been involved with big bands since 1978, and has variously led the Vanguard & Danish Radio Jazz Orchestras and the HR Big Band. He’s also had long stints with saxophonists Phil Woods and Stan Getz. Jim has a Grammy and 12 nominations, with ~26 albums and ~18 of them big band. Website ; Discogs.

The WDR Big Band is a project of WDR Broadcasters in Cologne, Germany. They have released >75 albums since 1979, and have won 4 Grammys with 6 nominations. YouTube channel (please subscribe); website ; Discogs

Four posts below about seven WDR Big Band albums: with trombonist Marshall Gilkes; 4 albums of Steve Gadd et al & Bob Mintzer collaborations; with arranger Chuck Owens; with bassist Ron Carter.  😎