Excalibur

Steve Wiest

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: August 28, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arabesque Recordings
• ASIN: B000GTLMS4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #241,044 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advanced Big Band Jazz That Swings, September 10, 2006

By	John Tapscott (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Steve Wiest is an alumnus of North Texas State and the Maynard Ferguson Band. Currently he is a highly respected jazz educator. In addition, he is a very talented jazz composer/ arranger and a trombonist with monster chops. His work with Maynard Ferguson 25 plus years ago was impressive enough, but on Exclaibur he has definitely taken his talent to a higher level.

In August 2005 Wiest assembled a talented band of midwestern jazz musicians in a Chicago studio to record eight of his charts (five originals and three standards). On every one of the charts Wiest achieves a hard to find balance between the advanced big band writing of Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider and Bob Florence, and the more straightahead approach represented by Thad Jones, Count Basie and Bill Holman. (Brookmeyer and Jones seem to be Wiest's most obvious influences). It is this balance within each chart which makes the music on Excalibur so interesting. In addition, the inclusion of the standards (Cheek to Cheek is especially remarkable) gives the listener a reference point to hold on to. The attentive and open-minded listener will find much to enjoy on every chart, and for this listener, The Once and Future Groove, the title piece, and The Silver Spin are most striking. (The latter is a beautiful ballad written by Wiest for his wife). All the music swings, but not always lightly and politely and often in a rather unexpected way.

The band is tight ensemble, with especially strong work from lead trumpeter Mike Williams, and impressive solos from trumpeter Mike Plog, tenorist Ed Peterson, baritonist Glenn Kostur, and altoist Tim Ishii. The rhythm section spearheaded by drummer Bob Rummage is really on its toes in these sometimes tricky charts. But the main soloist here is Wiest, who plays muscular solos on trombone with a full sound and an awesome range (check out On Green Dolphin Street).

Excalibur is one of the most intriguing recordings I've heard in 2006 and continues to unfold with repeated hearings. This beautifully recorded 68 minute CD is a wonderful showcase for Steve Wiest's extensive gifts and is highly recommended to all who enjoy modern big band jazz. Trombonists will definitely want to check CD out, as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exiting excalibur, February 20, 2008

By	Mr. Gerald K. Ridley (Shepperton UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a long time Kenton fan I've always liked music thats unpredictable and adventurous with plenty fo brass sounds, especially trombones.Although not influenced by the Kenton sound Steve Wiest band fits that bill admirably,truly an exercise in contemporary big band writing. On listening to Excalibur one is never sure what is coming next with so many twist and turns but the beat and jazz feel is always there. For me the track called Once And Future Groove is a real knockout. I would recommend this CD highly.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, June 18, 2008

By	Ian Stark "bonehead" (Lincoln Park, MI) - See all my reviews

I haven't heard anything from Steve Wiest since he was with Maynard Ferguson. Its nice to finally have something like this. The compositions are all outstanding and the Trombone playing...OH MY GOD! Steve certainly has a very unique writing style and it makes for wonderful music; especially with songs like Cheek to Cheek and On Green Dolphin Street which we've heard so many times before. Steve breathes new life into them and makes them seem like new original works. Speaking of his originals, the pieces that he did write are extremely entertaining as well. It is interesting to note that the title track "Excalibur" was named such for two reasons: because he loves all things to do with the legend of King Arthur and because his new Edwards trombone is named Excalibur. I thought that was kind of cool. I would highly recommend this album to trombone lovers as well as anyone who loves really good big band music.