Review and More

Our Review

The credo of the Boston Brass is "Entertain at all costs with blistering precision!" This is a superb sentiment for jolly holiday music, especially when playing concerts driven by blazing brass. Couple that mindset with the famous Stan Kenton Christmas Carols, and you have a match made in heaven. After all, Kenton is a cult figure in jazz, a controversial orchestra leader primarily active in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Kenton's musical significance today is tied to his talents in arranging; his challenging works are viewed as genius by some--and criticized as bombastic by others. In any event, there is no denying the sophisticated complexity and impressive fanfare flowing from a Stan Kenton production, and in the context of holiday celebrations, the news is all good!

The Boston Brass, a relative small (5-person) ensemble is certainly not alone here. Nosirree! They are joined by the Brass All-Stars Big Band to ramp up their brassiness with additional trumpets, horns, and trombones (no saxophones allowed), not to mention a rhythm section. These artists are excellent, playing with technical virtuosity and emotional punch. As a former trumpeter myself, I just love hearing these musicians toot their horns, and the clean, clear sound is brilliant to behold, like sunshine on new fallen snow.

These pop/jazz instrumentals present big band music on steroids--all explosive jubilation! From the opening fanfare blasts of Good King Wenceslas to the squealing trumpets in the closing bars of the distinctly funkified Motown Jingle Bells, this album rocks. The presentation is all about raw excitement; this is not a mousey little album that holds your hand while you seriously contemplate the dying embers in the hearth. This is get-out-of-your-chair-and-shout-for-joy music, the sort of presentation that makes you hug yourself and thank your stars to be alive and enjoying Christmas music this holiday season.

For me, the best track is probably the longest one--the Christmas Medley, which includes the broadest range of tempos, volumes, moods, and carol content. Powerful stuff. I also am fond of the playful and intensely creative Twelve Days of Christmas. Honorable mention must go to conductor Sam Pilafian's super-fine Motown Jingle Bells.

The Boston Brass and the Brass All-Stars Big Band perform magnificently on The Stan Kenton Christmas Carols. The outrageous entertainment is vibrant dynamite wrapped up in a gorgeous holiday bow--it will knock your socks off!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

More

From the liner notes:

Trumpets: Rich Kelley*, Jeff Conner*, Jens Linemann, Scott Thornburg
Horns: JD Shaw*, Chris Cooper, Jeff Nelson, Jeff Stockham
Trombones: Ed Clough*, Joe Colombo, Scott Hartman, Mark Frost (bass)
Tuba: Andrew Hitz*
Rhythm Section: Dan Hostetler (drum set and percussion), Michael Bull (percussion), Bill DiCosimo (piano), Matt Vacanti (bass)
Conductor: Sam Pilafian
*Members of Boston Brass

Session Producer: John M. Laverty
Engineer: James S. Abbott
Assistant Engineer: D. James Tagg
Production Assistant: Gregorio Hernandez
Recorded at Crouse College, Syracuse University, January 2nd-4th, 2005

From the Website:

Boston Brass is setting new standards in entertainment. From exciting classical arrangements, to breathtaking vocal harmony, to burning jazz standards, Boston Brass achieves new levels in brass performance while treating audiences to a unique musical experience that captivates all ages. The ensemble's lively repartee, touched with humor and personality, bridges the vast ocean of classical formality to delight audiences to an evening of boisterous fun, exciting knowledge and an enthusiastic love of music, deftly exhibited by five brash brass players. Boston Brass has transcended the traditional mores of brass ensemble literature and, with a host of original arrangements, has pioneered a new generation of music that sets out to achieve one simple goal: entertain at all costs with blistering precision.

Boston Brass and the Brass All-Stars Big Band

The Stan Kenton Christmas Carols

Artist link

Track List