Mike Longo And The New York State Of The Art Jazz Ensemble (Big Band) - Oasis (2004)

Dizzy Gillespie was not only a great trumpet soloist – he was also a skillful bandleader/arranger, and his bands (which ranged from small groups to larger ensembles) were an excellent training ground for a long list of musicians. One of them was pianist Mike Longo, who was in Gillespie's employ from 1966-1973 and went on to become a skillful bandleader himself. All of Longo's talents – bandleader, arranger, pianist, composer – are very much in evidence on Oasis, which reunites him with the New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble. This big-band date, which was recorded in 2004, often recalls Gillespie's work with larger ensembles. Gillespie, of course, was a major proponent of bop-oriented big bands – he realized that even though bebop and hard bop were dominated by small groups, there was also a place for big bands in a bop setting. And that Gillespie influence asserts itself on Longo's own material as well as his arrangements of several well-known standards, including "Alone Together," "Lazy Afternoon," and Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Chega de Saudade (No More Blues)." Gillespie isn't Longo's only influence as a bandleader/arranger – he's also well aware of Oliver Nelson and Thad Jones – but Gillespie is certainly a prominent influence. Most of the tracks on this CD are instrumental, although Hilary Gardner (a pleasant, if derivative, vocalist) is featured on three tracks: Matt Dennis' "The Night We Called It a Day," George Gershwin's "Love Walked In," and Longo's thoughtful, Duke Ellington-inspired "Song of My Dream (For Duke)." Oasis never pretends to be groundbreaking – certainly not by 2004 standards – but it's an enjoyable, noteworthy effort that die-hard bop enthusiasts will appreciate. ~ Alex HendersonDown Beat

Personnel:

Mike Longo–piano, Adam Rafferty–guitar, Santi Debriano–bass, Darryll Pellegrini–drums, Bob Magnuson–alto sax, Lee Greene–alto sax, Frank Perowsky–tenor sax, Gerry Neiwood–tenor sax, Matt Snyder–baritone sax, Clarire Daly–baritone sax, Gary Guzio–trumpet, Joe Magnarelli–trumpet, Nubate Isles–trumpet, Freddie Hendrix–trumpet, Waldron Ricks–trumpet, Seneca Black–trumpet, Bob Suttman–trombone, Sam Burtis–trombone, Eric Goletz–trombone, Jonathan Greenberg–trombone, Curtis Fowlkes–trombone, Don Mikkelsen–trombone, Special Guest: Hilary Gardner–vocals

TRACK LIST:

1. Bag of Bones (5:43)
2. Chanson (6:25)
3. Mike's Lament (4:57)
4. Love Walked In (1:50)
5. Alone Together (6:18)
6. Infusion (5:29)
7. The Godfather (6:21)
8. Lazy Afternoon (7:17)
9. Covenant City (4:20)
10. Nocturnal Sea Voyage (7:33)
11. The Night We Called It a Day (6:21)
12. No More Blues (5:10)
13. Song of My Dream (for Duke) (5:54)