Ernie
Krivda & The Fat Tuesday Big Band
The Band That Swings
Always apprehensive about jazz musicians jumping on the big band
wagon, I sat down to listen to Ernie Krivda and the Fat Tuesday
Big Band's second release, The Band That Swings (KOCH Jazz). Krivda
takes us through 12 big band standards and one original in an
attempt to build a bridge to link the power of the big band sound
with his tenor sax stylings and extensive jazz background. But
it appears The Band That Swings was intended more for jazz patrons
and less for today's dancing big band fans. All of the notes are
just where they are supposed to be, but throughout this recording
the music seems too smooth. And while The Fat Tuesday Big Band
performs better than many other modern orchestras, Krivda's arrangements
need work before they rival the quality of contemporary bandleaders
Bill Elliott, George Gee or Matt Catingub. The album begins with
a not-so-recognizable rendition of Gershwin's "'S Wonderful"
and tours itself though other "sweet jazz" standards,
including "Undecided," "Sunny Side of the Street,"
"Boogie Blues" and Count Basie's "One
O'clock Jump." Sadly, the arrangements are uninspiring, and
once the final track plays, one can barely notice that the music
has stopped.
-Smilin'
Buddha Joe
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