Jazz Improv Magazine

Vol. 7 - Number 2, Spring 2007

Reviewer: Larry A. Detwiler

JACK CORTNER NEW YORK BIG BAND

FAST TRACK: Jazzed Media, P.O. Box 270346, Littleton, CO. 80127-0006. #JM1023.

Who's 'at Talkin' / Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise / Ballad For Betsy / Etude / Secret Love / On The Trail / Limehouse Blues / Slowdown / Flimflam Ma'am / Fast Track / Lover Man.

PERSONNEL: Saxes: Lawrence Feldman, Jerry Dodgion, Dave Tofani, Dennis Anderson, Kenny Berger, Ronnie Cuber; Trumpets: Bob Millikan, Brian O'Flaherty, Danny Cahn, Tony Kadleck, Bud Burridge; Trombones: Jim Pugh, Tony Studd, Birch Johnson, Bruce Bonvissuto; Bass Trombone: Paul Faulise; Guitar: Jeff Mironov; Piano: Bill Mays; Bass: Jay Anderson, Martin Wind; Drums: John Riley;

Soloists: Marvin Stamm, trumpet and Flugelhorn, Dave Tofani, Alto and Tenor Sax; Jim Pugh, Trombone; Bill Mays, Piano; John Riley, Drums.

New York Big Band is the perfect name for this group and as an adjective for this recording as everything is big: big sound, big talent, big name stars, and big time entertainment. Jack Cortner, who arranged and produced the CD, assembled the band of first-call New York ses¬sion musicians. Recordings took place over the Month of April in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Cortner, if you are not familiar with him, is a hugely talented writer with credits in musical theater, television, and broadcast commercial television. This marks the first big band collaboration on CD between Cortner and Marvin Stamm, following a working relationship between the two since the mid-60's. The album features five of Cortner's original works - "Ballad For Betsy", "Etude", "Slowdown", "Flimflam Ma'am", and the title track "Fast Track."

This talented band could easily stand on their own for any recording project, but when you add in the soloists featured here the result is awesome. First there is Marvin Stamm, one of the premiere trumpet players. Stamm has performed in many bands including: Woody Herman, Thad Jones / Mel Lewis, Duke Pearson. Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Bob Mintzer. Louis Bellson, and Maria Schneider. He has also served as a first-call studio musician in NY for years and has eight releases as the featured artist - and numerous more as a sideman. He currently tours as a soloist and with his Jazz Quartet. Add in Jim Pugh on trombone (credits include Woody Herman, Chick Corea, Andre Previn. James Taylor, and David "Fathead" Newman). Bill Mays on piano (a frequent partner of Stamm's), and John Riley on drums (Woody Herman, Miles Davis, Lalo Schifrin, Vanguard Orchestra, Bob Mintzer, and Red Rodney), and you almost have an embarrassment of riches. I would have to think the biggest problem with making this recording was finding enough space to let everyone have ample room to solo.

"Who's 'at Talkin'," an up-tempo swing tune, immediately grabs the listener with a short statement of the melody by Stamm followed by fiery solos by Stamm, Mays, and Tofani. All three soloists easily navigate the changes at this quick tempo with aggression and dexterity. The band is extremely tight with great pitch and rhythm. They are right in the pocket at all times, and provide unbelievable support under and around the solos. "Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise", quiets down a bit from the first selection, but stills moves at a quick tempo. The way Stamm flawlessly moves through all the registers of the trumpet, without any change in the sound quality is remarkable. The band is also impressive in the way they control the dynamic changes throughout the selection. On "Ballad For Betsy", Stamm's sound is smooth, silky, and rich on the flugelhorn, and, wow - what a flurry of notes at' the end of the solo! Equally impressive is the solo by Pugh and the sound of the trombone section in the beginning. This is one of the finest sections that I have heard in a long time. "Etude" is another up-tempo swing tune. Mays' solo, in the beginning, flows perfectly and swings right along with the tune. It is easy to hear why Stamm chooses to work regularly with this fine keyboardist. This selection also demonstrates the excellent writing of Jack Cortner.

"Secret Love", is highlighted by two things in particular: Stamm reaching into the highest register of the instrument with power and utmost control, and the final unaccompanied solo burst by Stamm where we are reminded why he is revered as one of the finest trumpeters known today. In "On The Trail," things slow down just slightly, but continue as expected with Stamm just ripping it up (I especially love the quote of "Fascinating Rhythm" in the middle of his solo), and the band grooving. "Limehouse Blues" offers extended solo time for each of Stamm, Mays, and Tofani. Each of them rise to the occasion. Also noticeable is the excellent playing of the bass trombonist on the ensemble sections.

"Slowdown," is highlighted by the Stamm's harmon-muted solo, Tofani's sax work, and in particular, on this track the Mays on piano. His harmonic statements and use of space are outstanding. I don't feel he could have had a better take on this selection. In the middle of "Flimflam Ma'am" there is a sax soli. The section's interpretation and intonation blend perfectly through the feature. "Fast Track" is truly a fast track - an up-tempo swing chart by Cortner. This charts features a little bit of everything: soli sections for each group of instruments, great effects in the plunger licks for the trumpets, plenty of solo space, and a surprise soft ending. Anyone who isn't familiar with the works of Jack Cortner needs to become acquainted with them immediately! The CD finishes with the ballad "Lover Man," and is the perfect ending. Stamm showcases his lush, full sound and his improvisational genius. He is again complemented by the equally adept Mays on piano -BRAVO!

It is hard to make this judgment after having this recording for only a week, but I think I may have just found my new favorite big band.

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www.allaboutjazz.com

April 21, 2007

Edward Blanco - Reviewer
(http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=25320)
 
 

Fast Track -  Jack Cortner New York Big Band - Jazzed Media JM1023

Track listing: Who's at Talkin'; Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise; Ballad For Betsy; Etude; Secret Love; On The Trail; Limehouse Blues; Slowdown; Flimflam Ma'am; Fast Track; Lover Man.

Personnel: Marvin Stamm: trumpet,flugelhorn; Bob Millikan: trumpet; Brian O'Flaherty: trumpet; Danny Cahn: trumpet; Tony Kadleck: trumpet; Bud Burridge: trumpet (4, 5, 8, 9, 11); Jim Pugh: trombone; Tony Studd: trombone; Birch Johnson: trombone; Bruce Bonvissuto: trombone (4, 11), Paul Faulise: trombone; Lawrence Feldman: saxophones; Jerry Dodgion: saxophones; Dave Tofani: saxophones; Dennis Anderson: saxophones; Kenny Berger: saxophones; Ronnie Cuber: saxophones (4, 11); Jeff Mironov: guitar; Bill Mays: piano; Jay Anderson: bass; Martin Wind: bass (4, 11); John Riley: drums.

Trumpeter Jack Cortner has been an integral part of New York’s vibrant music scene for over forty-five years, primarily as a composer and arranger writing for Broadway musical theatre, commercials and television. While you may not be familiar with his work in jazz, you have probably heard his music if you’ve ever seen the popular soaps The Edge of Night or As The World Turns or watched the familiar ABC-TV’s Monday Night Football. Cortner has written the themes for all of these shows.

His love for jazz and his forty-year friendship with trumpeter Marvin Stamm has thankfully led to his first big band recording featuring Stamm as the principal soloist. Other first-rate soloists prominently showcased here are pianist Bill Mays, saxophonist Dave Tofani, drummer John Riley and trombonist Jim Pugh.

Involved in New York’s music business for as long as Cortner has, one tends to develop a strong relationship with that area’s top musicians, many of whom have joined him for this album recorded in three sessions between 2004 and 2006. Cortner uses no less than twenty-six players, producing a powerhouse big band swing that one normally associates with an explosive muscle orchestra, which is exactly what the leader has assembled. Fast Track gives you eleven superb big band charts all arranged by Cortner who also contributes five original compositions.

Stamm brings one of his own compositions “Who’s at Talkin’,“ that starts the music off in a rousing manner. Stamm solos effortlessly on this and the Hammerstein/Romberg standard “Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise,” except there’s nothing soft about this number that features a great howling woodwind section. The trumpeter provides steamy performances on Cortner’s lively upbeat arrangements of “Secret Love,” and “Lover Man.”

The beautiful “Ballad For Betsy,” enjoys the soft phrasing of trombonist Pugh, while Ferde Grofe’s “On The Trail” remains one of my favorite scores, which rumbles right along in pure big band swing style covered by Stamm’s muted horn solo on a loud audacious piece of music.

Tofani takes center stage on “Limehouse Blues,” with respectable support by Mays. Cortner slows down the pace with his composition “Slowdown,” a beautiful soft ballad that doses not get lost in the crowd of fiery tunes.

Rounding out the leader’s originals are “Flimflam Ma’am” and the title cut, two more terrific big band numbers. With assertive and full of fire orchestrations, Jack Cortner’s Fast Track delivers an exciting and thoroughly compelling big band sound.

Cortner, ldr, comp, arr; Bob Millikan, Brian O’Flaherty, Danny Cahn, Tony Kadleck, Bud Burridge (4, 5, 8, 9, 11), tpt; Lawrence Feldman, Jerry Dodgion, Dave Tofani, Dennis Anderson, Kenny Berger, Ronnie Cuber (4, 11), rds; Jim Pugh, Tony Studd, Birch Johnson, Bruce Bonvissuto (4, 11), tbn; Paul Faulise, b tbn; Bill Mays, p; Jeff Mironov, g; Jay Anderson, Martin Wind (4, 11), b; John Riley, d. Guest soloist -- Marvin Stamm, tpt. NYC, 2006.

Who’s ‘At Talkin’ / Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise / Ballad For Betsy / Etude / Secret Love / On The Trail / Limehouse Blues / Slowdown / Flimflam Ma’am / Fast Track /Loverman.

One only has to listen to the first number with some dazzling trumpet from Marvin Stamm to realise that this is “some band” consisting of some of New York’s finest. The main soloists are Marvin Stamm (trumpet and flugelhorn), Dave Tofani (tenor and alto), Bill Mays (piano) and John Riley (drums). “Etude” is a supple swinger with some great piano from Bill with Stamm tightly muted followed by an exciting solo from Dave. “Ballad For Betsy” is delicious with Stamm in a soulful mood. The up-tempo “Secret Love” features some fireworks from Stamm framed in an excellent arrangement by Jack Cortner who did all the other great arrangements on this CD. Ferde Grofe’s “On The Trail” lopes along like a Basie Band with a sure-footed rhythm section followed by lovely tenor from Dave then exciting muted trumpet from Marvin - a supreme example of this big band swing. The driving “Limehouse Blues” has Dave, Bill Mays and Stamm again in a delightful arrangement that highlights the lovely, warm, smooth sound of the sax section. “Flimflam Ma’am” is another medium paced number with that gorgeous sax section well to the fore whilst “Fast Track” zips along with wonderful clarity with an exciting piano solo, driving tenor, and John Riley really pushing the band along. “Loverman” was a rundown after the recording session had finished with the band sight reading this piece for the first time, but the engineer kept the tape running; it’s that good, they kept it in - Marvin is an absolute delight. This CD is a must for lovers of swinging big band sounds. Great arrangements from Jack Cortner (a name to watch out for), world-class soloists, and, throughout the CD, give a listen to the wonderful bass playing of Jay Anderson. Incidentally the recording quality and clarity of this CD is superb. One for the collection.

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Some Serious Jazz Arranging Chops - An Outstanding CD!
In his liner notes to Jack Cortner's debut big band CD Fast Track, Doug Ramsey invites the listener to "meet Jack Cortner, one of the best band arrangers you've never heard." After hearing this scintillating CD, I am tempted to remove the designation "one of." One thing for sure is that after hearing this CD by Jack Cortner's New York Big Band (which is totally unrelated to John Fedchock's New York Big Band), you'll be wanting to hear more.

Jack Cortner has been active on the New York music scene since the mid- 60's as a trumpeter but mostly as a Broadway composer/orchestrator/arranger. On the New York scene Cortner developed close musical relationships with top musicians, many of whom are in the band he assembled for the CD's three sessions recorded in 2004, 2005, and 2006. One of Cortner's tightest musical relationships is with the top-tier trumpeter/fluegelhornist Marvin Stamm who is the principal soloist throughout the CD. The other first-rate soloists on the CD are pianist Bill Mays, trombonist Jim Pugh, and saxophonist Dave Tofani.

Cortner's broad musical experience has served him well. He seems to have been gathering and storing up a great deal of musical know-how over the years, and it all comes forth on Fast Track. You cannot hear this CD without thinking, “this guy has some serious jazz arranging chops.” Cortner's arranging style certainly reflects his love for the Woody Herman Herd. This influence is obvious on the opening track “Who's `at Talkin,” which swings hard and lifts the listener's spirits immediately. The shout chorus really roars! The superbly recorded rhythm section (Mays, bassist Jay Anderson and drummer John Riley) is in a hard swinging pocket on this track and throughout the CD. A similar brand of hard driving big band swing is heard on the following “Softly, as In a Morning Sunrise,” and then the CD moves into the beautiful “Ballad for Betsy,” which showcases Stamm and a gorgeous trombone solo by Pugh. “Etude” is no dry study but another hard swinging number beginning over Riley's brushes before swinging with a Latin feel. Bill Mays is featured extensively on this track, along with saxophonist Tofani. And this is the way the CD continues to unfold until the end, a perfect balance of tempos, standards and originals. Cortner has the ability to write interesting charts that always swing no matter what the tempo. The title tune reminds me of the sophisticated drive of the famous Clarke-Boland Big Band. A Basie influence is apparent on the slinky, late-night “Slowdown,” as well as on the bright and surprisingly up-tempo “On The Trail.” The CD ends on a quiet but deeply satisfying note as Marvin Stamm interprets “Lover Man” over a subdued backing. Not enough can be said about Marvin Stamm's contribution to this CD. He is truly one of the outstanding trumpeters in the world today and adds immeasurably to the CD's success. The ensemble work is tight throughout, with each section getting a chance to shine and adding to the overall texture and impact of the band.

Fast Track is an instantly accessible CD, yet contains enough musical twists and turns to engage the listener fully and invite repeat hearings. This highly recommended CD is truly an outstanding effort by Jack Cortner and his assembled musicians. Thanks to Graham Carter and Jazzed Media for having the good taste to package and release this very well recorded 58 minute CD. Beyond question, Fast Track is going to one of the top straight ahead jazz CD's of 2007.

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Who’s ‘at Talkin’ / Softly as in a Morning Sunrise / Ballad for Betsy / Etude / Secret Love / On the Trail / Limehouse Blues / Slowdown / Flimflam Ma’am / Fast Track / Lover Man. 57:18.

There are times when liner notes are irrelevant, others when they strike paydirt. The last is true of Fast Track, wherein Doug Ramsey describes Jack Cortner as “one of the best big band arrangers you’ve never heard. Until now.” The reason is that Cortner, who came to New York City in the early ’60s as a trumpet player, has spent most of his time since then composing and arranging for the musical theatre, television (he wrote the themes for the daytime soaps The Edge of Night and As the World Turns) and broadcast commercials (a.k.a. jingles). But his love for Jazz and big bands never waned, nor did his friendship with trumpeter Marvin Stamm, for whom he had written a number of compositions and arrangements over the years, Jazz and symphonic, two of which (“Secret Love,” “Lover Man”) are included on Cortner’s long-overdue inaugural album as leader. Cortner arranged them, and everything else, and his charts are invariably sharp and enterprising. Stamm -- one of this reviewer’s favorite Jazz trumpeters -- is the principal soloist, with strong support along the way from saxophonist Dave Tofani, trombonist Jim Pugh, pianist Bill Mays and drummer John Riley. Stamm also wrote the opening number, “Who’s ‘at Talkin’,” while Cortner penned “Ballad for Betsy,” “Etude,” “Slowdown” (which calls to mind “One for My Baby”), “Flimflam Ma’am” and “Fast Track.” If the album seems at times like a showcase for Stamm, well, there’s nothing amiss there, as he embodies class with a capital C. Cortner’s splendid charts and A-list ensemble help assure an emphatic thumbs-up.

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Audiophile Audition

Jeff Krow - Reviewer

(http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=2548)

Fast Track - Jack Cortner New York Big Band
        Jazzed Media JM 1023 – 4 Stars

Jack Cortner is a relatively unknown big band arranger to the jazz community as his talents have been more recognized in the commercial, Broadway, and television arenas. That is sure to change with the release of Fast Track, his debut CD on Jazzed Media. It features heavyweight trumpeter Marvin Stamm and a host of New York's finest session men, including Jim Pugh, Dave Tofani, John Riley, and the brilliant pianist, Bill Mays. Having Jerry Dodgion along, as well as Ronnie Cuber on two tracks (including the feature, Lover Man) adds to the star power of Cortner's band.

Cortner and Stamm go back forty years together and Jack has made this CD a session based around the powerful playing of Stamm. Marvin does not disappoint. Right out of the gate, Marvin takes charge on his own composition, Who's at Talkin'. Bill Mays and Dave Tofani each get feature time as well, and John Riley on drums drives the band hard while Jay Anderson gives notice on bass. It's a rollicking start. Next, Softly, as In a Morning Sunrise, the 1928 Hammerstein chestnut, puts Stamm center stage, but the rest of the band gives strong backing.

Cortner's Ballad for Betsy, gives off a moody film-noirist vibe with muted horns. Etude gives Mays a chance to show off his piano chops, and the rest of the band lays back till a bossa nova vamp kicks in for a few measures. The rest of the band jumps back in before Mays takes the tune out. Secret Love, a 1953 Webster/Fain composition puts Stamm back in charge and his clear, assertive, yet warm tone sets the stage for the brass section to take off on a tear.

On the Trail, one of my favorite compositions, going back to Jimmy Heath's 1964 recorded session, lopes along at swinging pace for Stamm to showcase his talents. It also has a Basie style relaxed groove. It is definitely a highlight of the CD.

Slowdown keeps the relaxed groove alive and the muted Stamm horn, as well as Mays' piano lines contribute to the swing feel of Cortner's composition. Cortner's arranging talents are evident as well on two more of his charts, Flimflam Ma'am, and Fast Track, with the latter featuring some dynamite drumming by John Riley.

Lover Man, was recorded at the end of the first day of recording, and even though the band was doing a first run sight reading, both Stamm's and Mays' solos were so gorgeous that no need for a second run was needed.

The friendship and simpatico of longtime mates Stamm and Cortner make Fast Track a special big band session. The crystalline recording acoustics of Clinton Recording are an added bonus. Highly recommended!

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Jazz Education  Journal (IAJE)
IAJE Conference Issue – Jan. 2007

Herb Wong - Reviewer

Fast Track - Jack Cortner New York Big Band

Clear the roads. Jack Cortner’s explosive band is a serious try, and indifference is out of the question. Whereas he has been busy composing/arranging in a commercial vein, when he zeroes in on writing jazz charts, he is an imposing talent to shout about. He and brilliant trumpet ace Marvin Stamm have been musical and personal allies for years; Marvin is the session’s major solo gun. His versatility and rainbow arc of interpretive sounds are radiant. Top New York cats such as Jim Pugh, Dave Tofani, Bill Mays, and John Riley all add to the solo assignments with beauty and gusto. For starters, try “Softly As In a Morning Sunrise,” “Secret Love,” “On The Trail,” and especially “Lover Man.” An exceptional achievement.

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Jazz Times, April, 2007
“Big Bands”

Dave Franklin - Reviewer

Fast Track -  Jack Cortner New York Big Band - Jazzed Media JM1023

 You may not have heard of Jack Cortner, but you’ve probably heard his music. He wrote theme music for the “The Edge of Night” and “As The World Turns,” but if you’re not into soap operas, you may have heard his arrangement of the theme for “Monday Night Football.” Or perhaps some of his numerous jingles and charts for folks like Barry Manilow and Freddy Cole.  But Cortner is also a fine, straightahead big band composer-arranger who’s had a long-term musical association with trumpeter Marvin Stamm. Stamm has frequently commissioned Cortner to provide arrangements for his appearances with bands and orchestras around the country.

            Fast Track contains two such charts, “Secret Love” and “Lover Man,” along with “some [other] jazz arrangements and a few themes for TV shows that never got used.”  Stamm is the primary soloist, and his playing is stellar—virtuosic and swinging at even the fastest tempos and warmly lyrical on the slow pieces. His wistful first-take of “Lover Man” is a standout.  But there are also other top-flight soloists in pianist Bill Mays, saxophonist Dave Tofani, trombonist Jim Pugh, and drummer John Riley. The razor sharp ensemble comprises some of New York’s finest players.

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Raleigh- Durham, NC - News & Observer

Jan. 7, 2007

Owen Cordle, Correspondent

Fast Track - Jack Cortner New York Big Band - 3 Stars

Most of Jack Cortner's 40-year career as a composer and arranger has involved musical theater, commercials and television. When the occasional jazz project intervened, it often came at the request of trumpeter Marvin Stamm, who needed another chart for his teaching or concert gigs.

The Cortner-Stamm partnership has taken a new level of documentation with the arrival of "Fast Track" (Jazzed Media) by Cortner's New York Big Band, with Stamm as principal soloist, followed by pianist Bill Mays, alto and tenor saxophonist Dave Tofani and trombonist Jim Pugh.

You may recognize these names as veterans of the New York studio scene, and indeed the entire band is populated by such players. Cortner's arrangements remind us of the era when Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn, Ernie Wilkins, Manny Albam, Gary McFarland and other writers graced the scene and a solid studio big band could always be assembled from veterans of the big bands of the '40s.

Stamm's "Who's 'at Talkin' " opens the album and immediately establishes his credentials as an exemplary trumpeter. His range, tone, execution and ideas (rooted in bebop) show why he's in demand as a clinician. Cortner's "Ballad for Betsy" gives Pugh part of the action (lovely tone here) along with Stamm. Cortner's easygoing "Slowdown" evokes the Count Basie band, and Mays shines in a swinging, light-fingered solo. Tofani's tenor saxophone, robust and tonally roughed-up at times, appears throughout the set.

Cortner writes with welcome directness. He gets to the point with tried-and-true methods: the drums cooking, ensemble counterpoint and massed attack heading to a climax, moods building and subsiding.

The disc is available at www.marvinstamm.com.

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allaboutjazz.com

Jack Bowers - Reviewer

Fast Track - Jack Cortner New York Big Band - Jazzed Media (2007)

Even though Jack Cortner has been making a living as a musician in New York City for more than 45 years, Fast Track is the first-ever big band album with his name as leader. No, Cortner isn’t a late bloomer. The composer, arranger and former trumpeter has simply been too busy with other pursuits, such as writing and arranging for the musical theatre, television and broadcast commercials (otherwise known as jingles). Along the way, Cortner wrote the themes for the soap operas The Edge of Night and As the World Turns, and arranged the theme used for years on ABC-TV’s Monday Night Football.

While these and other enterprises definitely put a jingle in his pockets, Cortner’s love for jazz never waned, nor did his forty-year friendship with trumpeter Marvin Stamm, for whom he had written a number of arrangements over the years. When Cortner decided to produce a big-band album, Stamm readily agreed to sign on as guest soloist. Had Cortner organized a dragnet and issued an all-points bulletin, he couldn’t have made a wiser choice. Even though Stamm is not a household name, and is routinely ignored in the media‘s “popularity” polls, he is beyond any doubt one of the most talented and resourceful trumpeters on the scene, and has been for years.

Stamm is in splendid form here, ably supported by Cortner’s A-list of New York-area musicians and sparkling solos by saxophonist Dave Tofani, trombonist Jim Pugh, pianist Bill Mays and drummer Jim Riley. Cortner’s charts are consistently upbeat and pleasurable, including two (“Secret Love,” “Lover Man”) written especially for Stamm to use in his concerts and as teaching aids. Besides those charmers, they include the standards “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise” and “Limehouse Blues,” Ferde Grofé’s popular “On the Trail” (from the Grand Canyon Suite) and five of Cortner’s well-framed original compositions. Stamm wrote the flashy opener, “Who’s ‘at Talkin’.”

There’s not much to censure here. The music is bright and agreeable, the ensemble first- class, recorded sound clean and well-balanced, playing time generous. Above all, Stamm is a model of taste and consistency, a proficient craftsman who always comes to play and makes every note count. His commanding presence is reason enough to endorse Cortner’s long-overdue debut.

Track listing: Who’s ‘at Talkin’; Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise; Ballad for Betsy; Etude; Secret Love; On the Trail; Limehouse Blues; Slowdown; Flimfam Ma’am; Fast Track; Lover Man (57:18).

Personnel: Bob Millikan, Brian O’Flaherty, Danny Cahn, Tony Kadleck, Bud Burridge (4,5,8,9,11): trumpet; Lawrence Feldman, Jerry Dodgion, Dave Tofani, Dennis Anderson, Kenny Berger, Ronnie Cuber (4,11): reeds; Jim Pugh, Tony Studd, Birch Johnson, Bruce Bonvissuto (4,11): trombone; Bill Mays: piano; Jeff Mironov: guitar; Jay Anderson, Martin Wind (4,11): bass; John Riley: drums. Guest soloist: Marvin Stamm: trumpet, flugelhorn.

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Jersey Jazz Society

Joe Lang - Reviewer

Fast Track - Jack Cortner New York Big Band

It is always nice to kick this column off with mention of a kicking good big band. Prior to hearing "Fast Track" (Jazzed Media – 1023) by Jack Cortner and the New York Big Band, I was unaware of Cortner despite the fact that he had been around New York City since the mid-’60s, composing and arranging for musical theatre, television and commercial jingles. One of Cortner’s oldest professional acquaintances, and also a long time friend, is trumpeter MarvinStamm. When Cortner decided to record some of his arrangements with a big band comprised of first call players from the Apple, he also made the decision to use Stamm as his featured soloist. The album was recorded during the month of April in 2004, 2005 and 2006, a month when the musicians that he wanted in his band were generally in town. In addition to Stamm, he found solo space for Dave Tofani on alto and tenor sax, Jim Pugh on
trombone, Bill Mays on piano and John Riley on drums. This album starts off strongly with a Stamm original, “Who’s at Talkin’,” and never lets up through the last note of “Lover Man.” Of the other nine tracks, there are five originals by Cortner plus “Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise,” “Secret Love,” “On the Trail” and “Limehouse Blues.” Stamm, an under-rated giant on trumpet, justifies every second of solo time afforded to him. Riley really kicks the band from the most important seat in a big band. While it took Cortner three years to lay down this album, the results should guarantee that there is enough of a clamor for more from this band to garner him the backing to record a follow up real soon.

(www.JazzedMedia.com)