DANNY JONOKUCHI BIG BAND

A DECADE

Bandstand Presents

Danny Jonokuchi, trumpet/flugelhorn/arranger/vocals/composer; Jeb Patton, piano; Samuel Harris, upright bass; Kevin Congleton, drums; Victor Pablo, auxiliary percussion; SAXOPHONES: Christopher McBride, Andrew Gould & Chris Oatts, alto sax; Jon Beshay & Chris Lewis, tenor sax; Andrew Gutauskas, baritone saxophone. TRUMPET: Terell Stafford, Nick Marchione, John Lake, Scott Wenholt, Bruce Harris, Sam Hoyt, James Zollar & Noah Halpern. TROMBONES: Robert Edwards, Sara Jacovino, & Jason Jackson with Reginal Chapman on bass trombone.

This big band opens swinging harder than Jackie Robinson at the mound. The first song is a Kenny Barren composition titled, “Voyage” that Jonokuchi has arranged in an energy-forward style that immediately engages me.

Jonokuchi surprises with his Frank Sinatra-smooth and very cool vocals on “This Can’t Be Love.”  Jon Beshay is brightly featured on tenor saxophone.

A tune called “South Philly” was composed by the bandleader.  It swings at a slow, danceable pace and is quite melodic. The horn arrangements are spectacular.  Jonokuchi is already an award-winning arranger/composer, and The International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers (ISJAC) called him a “musical powerhouse of the present age.”

Danny’s “A Decade” project shines!  It’s a musical, autobiographical testament, especially to his arranging skills.  I enjoyed the dramatic introduction he has written to introduce the familiar “Skylark” tune.  This one features Jonokuchi on trumpet and Chris Lewis on tenor saxophone.

This album repertoire is rich with standard jazz tunes we know and love.  The innovation is in the wonderful arrangements of Danny Jonokuchi and the talents of his awesome big band.  For example, “On Green Dolphin Street” the bandleader re-energizes this tune with an arrangement that embraces the baritone saxophone of Andrew Gutauskas, who is a brilliant soloist. Jonokuchi also adds his own outstanding trumpet solo.

Every tune played by the Danny Jonokuchi Big Band reflects the mastery and talent of Jonokuchi as a bandleader, arranger, vocalist and trumpeter.  “A Decade” reflects his journey and growth over the past ten years. I look forward to hearing his musical contributions throughout the next decade.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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