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The best kept secret in music
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If this is what the New South is about, count me in. From guitarist Tom Wolfe’s chordal opening on “Harlem Chaser,” one can sense that the New South Jazz Orchestra means serious business on its debut album, Got the Spirit, an impression that is reinforced time and again on the sharp and soulful studio date.
The NSJO is comprised of a number of the South’s leading all-around musicians, at least nine of whom are faculty members at various colleges or universities in Alabama. Leader Shane Porter, an instructor at Alabama State University, doubles on trumpet and piano, and is impressive on each. No less admirable is the ensemble’s esprit de corps on ten dynamic numbers including four original compositions by members of the band.
Porter wrote the snappy “Harlem Chaser,” which is followed by saxophonist Jimmy Bowland’s savory “Soul Pie.” Porter and tenor Gary Wheat co-wrote the soul-stirring “Testimony,” a tenor/piano duet that leads directly into Slide Hampton’s gospel-soaked “Got the Spirit,” transcribed for the NSJO by baritone saxophonist Dan Western. Porter smartly arranged the venerable “Stompin’ at the Savoy” and trombonist Chad Fisher’s breezy “At Home,” while trumpeter Mark Avant did the same for Carole King’s rocking “Snow Queen.” Vocalist Annie McClendon is featured with Fisher and Porter (trumpet) on George Gershwin’s “Summertime.” Porter arranged Bob Marley’s throbbing “Get Up Stand Up” and transcribed Ellington’s lively “Pie Eye’s Blues,” on which the band keeps rockin’ hard until the final fade-out.
Soloists are quite respectable, with Porter, Wheat, Wolfe, Fisher, and Mace Hibbard (alto, flute) heard most often. Doug Bristol frames a brief but charming euphonium solo on “Savoy,” with Wolfe and Hibbard (flute) also heard. Drummer Steve Ramos anchors the alert and active rhythm section. Even with a playing time of less than 43 minutes, Got the Spirit is worth pursuing. How often does one hear a bang-up big band from Alabama?
Reviewed by: Jack Bowers
Link: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/review_print.php?id=17357 - All About Jazz - www.allaboutjazz.com
Artist: New South Jazz Orchestra
Album: New South Jazz Orchestra
Maybe Alabama is not the first state that comes to mind when one thinks of jazz education, but as many of the players in the New South Jazz Orchestra are faculty members at major universities in that state, we'll just have to think again.
Inventive arrangements and compositions, as well as powerful soloing make NSJO a world-class force to be reckoned with. Other musical elements are occasionally added to the mix, such as gospel and blues ("Testimony", "Got The Spirit"), funk-rock (Carole King's "Snow Queen"), and even reggae (check out their smoking rendition of Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up"!).
No fillers, no disappointments, no B.S., this is the real deal. Now, for those who believe that "Those who cannot do, teach", the New South Jazz Orchestra has news for you!
5 STARS
Reviewed By: Maurice Edwards
Link - http://www.eomentertainment.com/reviews/New_South_Jazz_Orchestra/New_South_Jazz_Orchestra.shtml - Maurice Edwards - E.O.M. Entertainment
I didn't know there were guys in Alabama that could play like this! Great writing & playing. This CD is a must for fans of big band jazz or just good music perioud. I highly recommend purchasing asap!
(5 Stars - www.cdbaby.com/nsjo) - Brad Fletcher - CDBaby Loyal Customer
Artist: New South Jazz Orchestra
Album: New South Jazz Orchestra
Maybe Alabama is not the first state that comes to mind when one thinks of jazz education, but as many of the players in the New South Jazz Orchestra are faculty members at major universities in that state, we'll just have to think again.
Inventive arrangements and compositions, as well as powerful soloing make NSJO a world-class force to be reckoned with. Other musical elements are occasionally added to the mix, such as gospel and blues ("Testimony", "Got The Spirit"), funk-rock (Carole King's "Snow Queen"), and even reggae (check out their smoking rendition of Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up"!).
No fillers, no disappointments, no B.S., this is the real deal. Now, for those who believe that "Those who cannot do, teach", the New South Jazz Orchestra has news for you!
5 STARS
Reviewed By: Maurice Edwards
Link - http://www.eomentertainment.com/reviews/New_South_Jazz_Orchestra/New_South_Jazz_Orchestra.shtml - Maurice Edwards - E.O.M. Entertainment
Where did these guys come from? This CD is as good as any jazz CD you will hear out of New York, LA, Chicago, any where. The different styles of selections keep the listening experience fresh and the innovation of the arrangements are second to none. Top it off with the solos and I can't stop listening. This CD is a must for any jazz fan.
(5 stars - www.cdbaby.com/nsjo) - Gordon Wilson - CDBaby Loyal Customer
Artist: New South Jazz Orchestra
Album: New South Jazz Orchestra
When you hear the word “jazz,” groups like the Wes Montgomery Trio and the Chet Baker Quartet might come to mind. What then, to expect from a jazz orchestra? Upbeat grooves, a slew of talented musicians, and a sound that lets you know these guys really enjoy what they do.
The New South Jazz Orchestra is an ensemble of experienced jazz performers including a number of professors of music in various southern-region universities as well as the incredible talent provided by “The Tuscaloosa Horns” who provide the horn lines. Based out of Alabama, the NSJO recently released their self-titled debut of 10 tracks putting the best of each musician’s abilities on display for your aural delight.
The disc kicks off with “Harlem Chaser,” one of their more traditional jazz tunes built on a big-band instrumentation that would’ve fit into the more swing-influenced tunes of the 30’s and 40’s. Both saxophonist Mace Hibbard and trumpeter Rob Alley run crafty solos down the 4 minute track that will have your ears standing at attention by the time the second track, “Soul Pie” kicks off. “Testimony” is a beautiful song performed by Gary Wheat on the tenor sax and Shane Porter on the piano. Both musicians manage to showcase their abilities to the fullest while simultaneously setting each other to produce one of the softer, yet equally impressive tracks on the disc.
“Stompin’ At The Savoy” is a soulful blend of euphonium (Doug Bristol), guitar (Tom Wolfe) and flute (Mace Hibbard), a colorful, melodic tune. Run down a few tracks and you’ll find the melodic vocals of Annie McClendon in “Summertime” (a tune from George and Ira Gershwin) gracefully moving over a smooth jazz drum line. Following is an interesting reworking of Bob Marley’s classic “Get Up Stand Up” composed for alto sax and trombone with Hibbard on alto sax, Steve Ramos on drums and Chad Fisher on trombone.
The disc caps off with Duke Ellington’s “Pie Eye’s Blues,” ending with some triumphant brass work as you’re left wanting more. It is clear to see each musician’s contribution on each track, and is a great example of musicians coming together for the music. NSJO’s self-titled debut is a great disc for the jazz and big-band inclined listener with soulful rhythm and fancy solo work that truly works from beginning to end.
By Matt Fisher
www.fliggil.com
March 20, 2005
Link: http://www.fliggil.com/music-nsjo.html
- Fliggil.com
Where did these guys come from? This CD is as good as any jazz CD you will hear out of New York, LA, Chicago, any where. The different styles of selections keep the listening experience fresh and the innovation of the arrangements are second to none. Top it off with the solos and I can't stop listening. This CD is a must for any jazz fan.
(5 stars - www.cdbaby.com/nsjo) - Gordon Wilson - CDBaby Loyal Customer
Discography
The New South Jazz Orchestra. NOW AVAILABLE AT - WWW.CDBABY.COM/NSJO
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The NSJO, although a short history as an assembled group, has a long history of performing together. The core horn group of the NSJO is "The Tuscaloosa Horns" (tuscaloosahorns.com) who have been one of Motown's top call horn lines since the mid 80s performing with groups such as The 4 Tops, Mary Wilson & The Supremes, The O'Jays, Levert & are on the latest Temptations recording "Awesome". Add a few more horn players, a rhythm section, incredible soloists & contemporary big band charts & you have the New South Jazz Orchestra.
Each musician in the group has incredible performance and teaching credentials in the commercial genres of Jazz/Funk/R&B. Many of the members of the NSJO are among the top music/jazz educators in the Southeast region of the U.S. and have consistent performance and/or clinic schedules.
With each member having vast musical differences and influences, the charts are all created with a member of the group in mind (much like "Duke" Ellington's compositional concept). For example the ferocity of Alto Sax soloist Mace Hibbard puts an exclamation point on the musical intensity of the opening track "Harlem Chaser". The arrangement of "Stompin' @ The Savoy" would not have been possible if it weren't for Demondrae Thurman (tubaquartet.com) & Doug Bristol (bristolnotes.com) being world class Euphonium players as well as Tom Wolfe adding an incredibly lush & musical guitar solo before the melodic recap. To completely change styles from either of the previous tunes mentioned, Composer/Trombonist Chad Fisher brings an original small group tune that was blown up into a Hip-Hop/Funk big band chart. The fluidity of soloists Gary Wheat & Chad Fisher make this odd meter tune groove even harder.
Aside from the Tuscaloosa Horns, many of the members of the NSJO are also involved in their own groups; Jimmy Bowland (comp. "Soul Pie" & Tenor Sax) has completed two CDs with "The Rigby/Bowland Project" (rigbybowlandproject.com), Mace Hibbard heads up the "Mace Hibbard Quartet" (macehibbard.com), Chad Fisher (comp. "At Home" & Trombone) leads the "Chad Fisher Group" (chadfishergroup.com), Gary Wheat is a founding member of Meteorite (meteoritemusic.com), Tom Wolfe heads up his trio with the his current release "Simple Peace", and Vocalist Annie McClendon has two releases out with Annie & The Mood Swings.
The NSJO focuses on entertaining Jazz/Big Band music while keeping the integrity of the artform. The group is highly entertaining, energetic & professional.
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