Customer Reviews

Fantazm

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"Fantazm is a fantastic high energy big band production with sizzling solos, great rhythm work and a brass section that delivers the big band sound with fire. Fantazm is a collection of standards and originals in the modern contemporary big band style. An enjoyable, powerful, bold and brassy big band recording that delivers a roaring musical experience and star performance from a great band."

John La Barbera is an expert when it comes to writing Jazz charts! With his last two recordings he has displayed that he also knows how to put together and lead an amazing band! I particularly enjoyed the last chart featuring the LA trumpet master, Wayne Bergeron!

Fantasm is truly Big sound Big Band. This is a great addition to my Jazz collection!

Well, I've always liked John's writing (for Buddy Rich, Bill Watrous - Tiger of San Pedro, Woody Herman - Toothless Grin, etc) and when Don Menza left Buddy's band and Pat took over the jazz Tenor chair; before leaving for Elvin Jones. Pat LaBarbera has matured so much in his improvisations through the years, that I never tire of listening to his new ideas.

These charts and the band really swing, proving once again that John LaBarbera can put together a first-class jazz band. Just like on his previous CD: On The Wild Side. What else can you expect from the LaBarbera brothers?

Yep, jazz has been relegated to that "other music" that a lot of young and old don't care for, or understand. But you can't re-live yesterdays jazz triumphs; just move on an enjoy the great jazz that's still created for us today.

The LaBarbera family is the nucleus of an abyss of talent, so to speak, that seems to flourish, as time moves on. The three brothers, John, Pat and Joe have been at the forefont of Jazz for more than four decades and there seems to be, however, no end in sight, which is, of course, to our benefit. Unfortunately, culture in the U.S. is not something American people seem to cherish or treasure, as the opposite side of this scenario is the case in most of Europe and other parts of the world. Jazz musicians, composers, arrangers and the like, are treated and percieved as, 'National Treasures' in some countries, as well as throughout the world, yet far too many Jazz artists in America, are forced to work at another job, in order to make ends meet, financially speaking. Americans seem to worship and idolize those entities that evolve around that sphere we know as, a ball. As a new student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, I became aware of and was introduced to Pat LaBarbera, around the year 1965-66. Shortly thereafter, Pat joined the Buddy Rich Big Band,which was a very new venture at that time. A few years after that, I ran into Pat in L.A., where he invited me and a few other musician friends to a, 'Buddy Rich Big Band' recording session on Sunset Blvd. Pat was a monster player at that very young stage of his career. A few years later, I became aware of yet, another member of the LaBarbera family. Joe LaBarbera emerged, thus, beginning a fabulous career as one of the finest drummers in the history of jazz and. Also, Joe spent more than a few years kickin' and propelling Tony Bennett into the legend and American cultural treasure, he has become. Joe was, and continues to be, without a doubt, the classiest, tastiest, most inventive and creative drummer I have ever heard and one that Tony Bennett has ever employed. Prior to Tony, however, Joe was the energy, the finely tuned power plant of the Chuck Mangione ensemble. Last but not least is, John La Barbera, whose composing and arranging skills have kept him busy for the better part of five decades. This album is a wonderful representation of just how colorful John weaves the notes of his intrinsically musical mind. John's lines and musical voicings are, at times eerie, leaving one to travel the journey he so mysteriously plots, yet, one could clearly hear and recognize those roots, which trace back to Coltrane, Ellington, Strayhorn and company. What a wonderful blessing, even a small miracle, some might say, to have three sons, who possess this level of musical genius, all from one family. The LaBarbera family, individually and from a collective point of view, have built a small dynasty in American music, specifically, Jazz, which will hopefully continue to flourish over the many years ahead. I know I am looking forward to other musical journeys this trio will take us on, in the very near and distant future. Buy this CD, sit back and travel this very colorful journey, one which John LaBarbera has weaved, along with passengers, brothers Joe & Pat.