Up and Running

John Fedchock | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reservoir Records
• ASIN: B000MGTF4Y
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,300 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Up & Running

2. Embraceable You

3. Moment's Notice

4. Dedicated To You

5. Alfie's Theme

6. J Birds

7. Elvin's Empire

8. Theme For Ernie

9. The Ariztocrat

10. Mr. Dudley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellence Extended, March 30, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: Up and Running (Audio CD)

Once every four or five years composer arranger/trombonist John Fedchock takes his New York Big Band into a studio and makes a recording for Reservoir records. Fedchock's latest "Up and Running", recorded in the fall of 2006, may be the best yet of a very consistent string of Fedchock big band CD's. The excellence displayed on his first three CD's is extended, or even raised a notch upward, with this release. The band itself sounds remarkably cohesive and perhaps even a bit more relaxed than before, which is evident on the title track. Furthermore, Fedchock has incorporated more influences into his writing without causing it to lose any of its strong and distinctive character.

Fedchock's cleverly places "Moments Notice" over a Latin rhythm and disguises the tune somewhat so that it nearly becomes an original composition. In "Mr. Dudley" Fedchock incorporates the second line beat of New Orleans and a taste of Dixeland. "The Emperor's Empire" is a powerhouse chart reminiscent of Elvin Jones' drumming translated for big band, and certainly stands out as one of Fedchock's best originals to date. Fedchock shows off his dramatic arranging flair and lyrical ballad trombone chops on "Embraceable You and " Dedicated to You." Baritonist Gary Smulyan is featured at length on the hard-swinging "Alfie's Theme." Fedchock always returns for a look at his roots in the Woody Herman band and does so here with a hard swinging shuffle blues "The Ariztocrat," in honor of the late, great bandleader. Rich Perry is featured on "Theme for Ernie," a flowing ballad chart originally written by Fedchock for the Woody Herman Band. "J Birds" is a bright, boppish original penned in memory of J.J. Johnson and Carl Fontana, featuring Fedchock and Steve Davis in fluent solos. Fedchock solos extensively throughout the CD and proves again why he is one of the outstanding trombonists in jazz today, playing with excitement, fleet technique, melodic shape, and complete control in every register.

The solo strength of this band is awesome, there's just no other way to put it. The very distinctive tenor sound of Rich Perry, the more Coltrane-esque style of tenorist Rich Margitza, the bright, lyrical solos of altoist Mark Vinci, the solo trumpets of Scott Wendholt and Barry Ries, and the strong lead and fiery high work of trumpeter Tony Kadleck will consistently catch your ear. The rhythm section of Allen Farnham on piano, either Lynn Seaton or Dick Sarpola on bass, and Dave Ratajczak on drums is right on the money on every chart, playing each groove with power and complete control and conviction. The recording quality of the CD is outstanding as well, with careful attention to balance and dynamics.

John Fedchock's 68 minute "Up and Running" has everything the lover of modern big band jazz could possibly want in a CD. The music will both challenge and comfort you, sometimes get your foot tapping, sometimes whisper in your ear, sometimes blow you away with its power, and definitely command your listening attention at every turn. "Up and Running" is an excellent CD in every respect and highly recommended.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Home Run For The John Fedchock New York Big Band, March 29, 2007

By 

Russell D. Dixon "Russell D. Dixon" (Dublin, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Up and Running (Audio CD)

I have been waiting a while for this new release ... it's about time that this vastly under-rated group cut a new disc. The playing is tight, superb ... the arrangements are good. Trumpets = Tony Kadleck and Craig Johnson are the Lead players with Barry Ries, Scott Wendholt and Kerry MacKillop rounding out the section. Ries plays some absolutely beautiful flugel. The entire band is an allstar line-up on New York musicians. Great solos ... very good arrangements ... modern harmonics together with good old straight ahead swing. I'll take this group over Down Beat Magazines annual picks anyday. Add this disc to your collection ... you will not be disappointed!