Guest Artists: Phil Nimmons, Mike Malone, David Braid

The latest CD from the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band, "STOMPIN' AT THE TIVOLI", features two great concerts by two different bands, both performed at the historic Tivoli Theatre in downtown Hamilton.

The first concert was in April of 2000, just prior to the band's tour of Europe in July of the same year. The special guest is Phil Nimmons, the much-loved and respected Canadian clarinetist who plays up a storm at the ripe young age of 77. The album features Phil on clarinet on tracks 3 and 11, with Phil conducting the band on his own composition "Quest" featuring an outstanding, young tenor saxophonist from Mississauga, Ontario, Jonathan Lindhorst.

The second concert from the Tivoli stage, in April of 2002, features an all- new band with special guests Mike Malone, an inspiring  trumpet and fluglehorn player from the Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra; and an alumnus of the All Star Band, Canada's sensational new jazz pianist, David Braid. Mike and David join the new All Stars in an outstanding concert featuring some of Mike's music, David's arrangements and some scintillating playing from soloists and band.

Both concerts were recorded "live" from the stage of the Tivoli Theatre before sold-out audiences.

Swingin' With The Stars



Swinging With the Stars
Guest Artists: Guido Basso, Kenny Wheeler, Alex Dean, Pat LaBarbera, David Braid

Disc One
1. On Purple Porpoise Parkway - 4:14

Audio Clip2. 500 Miles High - 6:15 (Clip - 2:49 ; 487K .mp3)
Composed by Chick Corea and Neville Potter Arranged by Mark Taylor
Soloists: Kenny Wheeler, Dan Snaith

3. I'm Beginning To See The Light - 3:19

4. Bang That Wall, Harvey! - 6:17

5. The Song Is You - 2:07

6. The Gentle Piece - 9:12

7. Deed I Do - 2:24

Audio Clip8. Bopularity - 7:54 (Clip - 2:54 ; 491K .mp3)
Composed and arranged by Matt Catingub
Soloists: Allan Gaumond, Alex Dean, Adrean Farrugia, Dave Simpson


Disc Two
1. A Tribute to Art Fern - 8:51

2. Straighten Up and Fly Right - 2:39

3. Manteca (conducted by Paul McGarr) - 7:37

4. Don't Be That Way - 2:56

5. Slauson Cutoff - 5:00

6. Daydream - 5:37

Audio Clip7. Caravan - 10:45 (Clip - 2:45 ; 485K .mp3)
Composed by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol Arranged by Dave Barduhn
Soloists: Sal Rosselli, Guido Basso, Alex Dean



Ain't It Wonderful


Aint it Wonderful

"'Ain't It Wonderful'; life in general and the sound on the new Hamilton All Star Jazz Band cd. The similarly titled disc gives great pleasure in the music of the big sound, live, and full of creative and energetic arrangements of standards and youthful playing and interesting twists to newer pieces.

This musical outfit changes regularly, as those in the local high schools and college and university graduate and leave the band. Despite all of the changes, band leader Russ Weil is able to maintain the quality of music-making.

Recorded live at the duMaurier Centre, the 10th of May, 1998, the disc also features the talent of Rick Wilkins, both as sax player and arranger. Mr. Wilkins has been on the jazz scene for many years and has played with the very best.

Included on this disc is the smoky and sultry voice of Diana Panton with two studio cuts added. Miss Panton deserves the spot-light and should be a feature on the Canadian and international jazz scene very soon. With long time alumnus Adrean Farrugia on piano along with the band, Miss Panton wraps her sound around songs like Then There Eyes;' 'Now or Never' and with the studio cuts, a French version of 'Embraceable You' and a straight-ahead rendition of Ellington's 'Squeeze me'.

The remaining work on the disc features the band and the clever and stimulating arrangements of old and new pieces. From 'Ain't It Wonderful' to the Pat Metheny groove of 'Hermitage', all of the set is alive and cooks with just enough sauce to taste.

For big-band jazz and the spirit of the young, this disc has all the bases covered. Buy it, sit back and let the notes soothe you, move you and if you feel so inclined, roll up the rug and cut a fine figure on the living-room floor. Turn it up and get lost in the reverberation of live jazz that takes no back-seat to anyone.

Unfortunately I was unable to get to the live concert this past Saturday at the Ancaster High School. Those of you that did managed to see the band, 1 am sure they were outstanding as always. Tickets for their performances are always hard to get and rightly so."

Hamilton All-star Jazz Band, with 'Ain't It Wonderful' available now.

Review by George Sanford