Dan Bonsanti and the 14 Jazz Orchestra Release

DAN BONSANTI AND THE 14 JAZZ ORCHESTRA RELEASE

ISLANDS

Contemporary Jazz Arrangements of Straightahead, Pop & Fusion

Available July 21, 2023

On ISLANDS, composer and arranger DAN BONSANTI and his band, THE 14 JAZZ ORCHESTRA, once again present a collection of swinging, contemporary jazz arrangements of 11 straight-ahead, pop, and fusion compositions by modern masters. This is the fourth release by Bonsanti and the group, following Cartoon Bebop (2020), The Future Ain't What It Used to Be (2018) and Nothing Hard Is Ever Easy (2015). The Art Music Lounge said about Cartoon Bebop, “Bonsanti has a terrific ear for color and balance; he likes to keep his big bands “light,” playing with the streamlined sound of, say, an octet at most, and his soloists on this CD—both the regulars and the stand-ins—are nothing short of terrific.”

Bonsanti Is a sax player who has performed with big bands including the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Jaco Pastorius’ Word of Mouth Orchestra, and Doc Severinsen, as well as with artists Nat Adderley, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Cobb, Bob James, and Dave Liebman, to name just a few. He began arranging in 1979 and later wrote charts for The Jaco Pastorius Big Band. Although he does not perform on the bandstand these days, his writing and arranging have garnered much attention and praise.

The 14 Jazz Orchestra grew out of a rehearsal band Bonsanti formed in 2013 that comprised mostly former students and faculty from the University of Miami. The University is home to the prestigious Frost School of Music, known for its talented teaching staff and students. Bonsanti formed the rehearsal band to give the teachers and students a forum to work on their music. The band mostly played the arrangements that Bonsanti had written, and they soon began performing around South Florida. Their performances were very well-received, and in 2013, Bonsanti named the band The 14 Jazz Orchestra.

The 14 Jazz Orchestra originally started out as a regional band, but over time, the band members dispersed around the country. However, that did not curtail their ability to make albums. The musicians were able to record remotely, and MIKE LEVINE, who is a top-notch pianist, composer, and engineer, creates seamless projects that sound like the tracks were all recorded in the same studio.

The musicians on ISLANDS include ED MAINA (alto sax, flutes), ED CALLE (tenor & soprano sax, flutes), PETER BREWER (tenor sax, flute, clarinet), MIKE BRIGNOLA (bari sax, flutes, bass clarinet), BRETT MURPHEY (trumpet), JASON CARDER (trumpet), JOHN LOVELL (trumpet), DANA TEBOE (trombone), MAJOR BAILEY (bass trombone), DANTE LUCIANI (trombone), LEE LEVIN (drums), MIKE HARVEY (drums), RICHARD BRAVO (percussion), MIKE LEVINE (piano), JOE DAVIDIAN (piano), LINDSEY BLAIR (guitars), NICKY ORTA (electric bass), TIM SMITH (electric bass), JAMIE OUSLEY (acoustic bass), and DENNIS MARKS (acoustic bass). Bonsanti also invited several special guests, including RANDY BERNSEN (guitar), MARK EGAN (electric bass), PETER ERSKINE (drums), WILL LEE (electric bass), DAVID LIEBMAN (soprano sax), and MIKE MAINIERI (vibes).

Bonsanti shares arranging credits on several tracks with Mike Levine and with the late Tom Boras. He dedicated ISLANDS to his brother Neal Bonsanti, who was one of the finest double-reed players in the country and a founding member of the Orchestra. Bonsanti hoped his brother could play on the album although he was quite ill, but he passed away before he could participate.

Bonsanti opens the album with McCoy Tyner’s “The Man from Tanganyika.” He had heard Vince Maggio’s arrangement of the tune while playing in his Bakers Dozen ensemble. Maggio was a friend and colleague of Bonsanti from the University of Miami, and had also been a great resource, especially for traditional jazz compositions and standards. He passed away shortly after the recording of Cartoon Bebop. “Islands” is an original composition by Mike Mainieri, who plays vibes on the track. The track also features legendary drummer Peter Erskine.

Bonsanti always looks to Chick Corea for inspiration and came upon several versions of Chick’s “Bud Powell.” Bonsanti thought it would be a perfect vehicle for solos by Ed Maina, Jason Carder, and Mike Levine. “Part of Me” is a witty re-working of the title “All of Me,” which Levine had reharmonized and created a new melody for a vocalist. Bonsanti shares arranger credits with Levine.

“Carmencita” is another original by Levine, which he named for his wife Carmen. He had originally recorded the track for a smooth jazz album, but he felt it was too straight-ahead for that project. Bonsanti and Levine worked together to rearrange the pieces and add the horn parts. “Missouri Uncompromised” is a Pat Metheny composition that appeared on his debut album, Bright Size Life. Bonsanti rearranged the tune to feature Manieri, Egan, and Levine.

Bonsanti dedicated “Jitterbug Waltz” to Vince Maggio. It was part of his repertoire in a trio setting with Ira Sullivan and Joe Diorio. Bonsanti shares arranging credits with Levine for this piece. Levine’s composition “Jaco” is named in honor of the great electric bassist. Like his tune “Carmencita,” he originally recorded the track for a smooth jazz album. “Some Other Time” is one of Bonsanti’s favorite ballads. He spent some time studying a Bill Evans trio version of the tune and saw an opportunity to use some orchestration techniques he had learned from studying Gil Evans’ scores.

Bonsanti was introduced to David Liebman’s “Loft Dance” in the late 1970’s when Liebman spent time at the University of Miami as a clinician. He brought a big band arrangement of “Loft Dance” with him by Tom Boras. Bonsanti selected several passages from Boras’ arrangement and made some format and orchestration changes. Liebman is a featured soloist on that track. “When She Loved Me” is dedicated to Neal Bonsanti. The song, by Randy Newman, is from Toy Story 2 and was nominated for an Oscar in 2000. Bonsanti originally wanted it to be a special feature for his brother on oboe and English horn, but when Neal became too ill to perform, Bonsanti re-orchestrated the piece, adding tenor sax, fretless bass, and drums.

ISLANDS is another fun and engaging outing from Dan Bonsanti and the first-rate group of musicians that comprise the 14 Jazz Orchestra. Whatever the musical style Bonsanti tackles, his arrangements are always colorful and richly textured.



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ISLANDS will be available online everywhere on July 21, 2023.

Online:

14jazzorchestra.com

facebook.com/14jazzorchestra