Customer Reviews

Totally Live at Catalina Jazz Club: In Memory of

5 star:		(3)
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The Phil Norman Tentet has consistantly produced albums of high quality little big band jazz.

The music has been cleverly written so that the composer/arranger chops are exposed and there is plenty of room for the soloists to stretch.

The music comes from LA heavies like Bob Florence, Roger Neumann, Kim Richmond, Med Flory and more.

Bob Florence , as well as being a great pianist, arranger/composer and band leader probably had fewer enemies and more friends than anyone. It is fitting that first tribute to his passing is by this superlative ensemble of friends.

His next recorded tribute will be along shortly when his own Limited Edition Big Band goes into the studio led by Kim Richmond.

Regardless of the tribute ethos of this presentation, the music will satisfy anyone who cares to listen.

This is a splendid album, filled with imagination, skill, and inspiration. How rare it is to find something of this quality that is contemporary. Med Flory, Willie Maiden, Kim Richmond, and Bob Florence were among the arrangers, and they knew how to swing and present first class musicians in their glory. Jazz lives.

Still, one wishes there was less blab by Norman throughout the selections. He isn't funny and adds nothing to our knowledge or appreciation.

Buy this one.

Great music from some of the West Coast's best! I love the arrangements, the ensemble, the soloists and all about it.

Live jazz recordings are the only way to go, and this one fills the bill for sure. Too bad we lost Bob Florence shortly after this, he will be missed.