This big band of Chicago jazz professionals, directed by Lenny King, has marvelously recorded their second CD, including charts from Stan Kenton, Bill Holman, Lennie Niehaus, Dave Barduhn, & others. Vocalist Joni King is also featured.

12 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Progressive Big Band, JAZZ: Modern Big Band

Details:
LABOR OF LOVE

Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra

Lenny King, Director

Track List:

1. REUBEN'S BLUES (5:37) Gene Roland
(Anthony Brock, bass; Kirk Garrison, trumpet; Frank Catalano, trumpet)

2. SEND IN THE CLOWNS (4:59) arr. Dave Barduhn
(Mike Flack, piano; Kirk Garrison, trumpet)

3. JUST FRIENDS (4:42) arr. John Kornegay
(Bryan Murray, tenor sax)

4. MY OLD FLAME (4:44) arr. Marty Paich
(Bryan Murray, tenor sax; Ben Clark, trumpet)

5. ALL OF ME (3:07) arr. Lennie Niehaus
(Joni King, vocalist)

6. MY ONE AND ONLY LOVE (5:49) arr. Tom Matta
(Hary Kozlowski, trombone)

7. TAKE THE "A" TRAIN (5:03 arr. Don Menza
(Mike Flack, piano; Bryan Murray, tenor sax; Chris Sarlas, alto sax; Nate Walcott, trumpet; Michael Fiala, drums)

8. WHEN SUNNY GETS BLUE (4:44) arr. Jerry Nowak
(Joni King, vocalist)

9. SAMBA DA YO (4:36)arr. Kirk Garrison
(Frank Catalano, tenor sax; Hary Kozlowski, trombone)

10. A LITTLE MINOR BOOZE (4:27) Willie Maiden
(Mike Flack, piano; Gary Parker, alto sax; Randy Kulik, trumpet)

11. OUT OF NOWHERE (3:24) arr. Bill Holman
(Frank Catalano, tenor sax)

12. MALAGUENA (4:42) arr. Bill Holman
(Hary Kozlowski, trombone; Bryan Murray, tenor sax; Frank Catalano, tenor sax)


CHICAGO METROPOLITAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Personnel Roster

Leader: Lenny King
Vocal Soloist: Joni King

Saxes: Chris Sarlas, lead alto; Gary Parker, alto;
Bryan Murray, tenor; Frank Catalano, tenor; Ken Kistner, alto/bari; Kent Lawson, bari

Trumpets: Kirk Garrison, lead; Nate Walcott; Jim Peterson; Ben Clark; Randy Kulik

Trombones: Hary Kozlowski, lead; Mark Corey; Mike Joyce; Steve Larkin; John McAllister, bass & tuba

Rhythm: Mike Flack, piano; Anthony Brock, bass; Michael Fiala, drums; Al Keeler, Latin perc; Jerry Steinhilber, Latin Perc.
____________________________________________________________

Liner Notes: by John Burnett, Jazz Host, WDCB-FM Radio

"A True Labor of Love...."

When Lenny King asked me to write liner notes for his second CD, my thoughts went back in time to the first album produced by the CMJO - "Live and Screaminâ "- recorded at FitzGeraldâs Nightclub in 1997. The original album included big band sounds of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and other famous bandleaders. It had atmosphere, presence and brilliant musicianship. I found myself pondering the precedence the original album had set, and wondering what could possibly come next!

Not surprisingly, the answers quickly came to me as I listened to the mix down tape of "Labor of Love." First and foremost, the band has matured even further with many of the same key sidemen and a couple new great players including bassist Anthony Brock and Mike Flack on piano. Also, two lovely vocal charts have been added, giving the album additional flavor and attraction.

The approach Lenny King has taken in the production of this CD is very worthy of comment. He has combined his musical strengths with imagination. A wide variety of composers and arrangers have been selected to meet the intended diversity of this album, ranging from Stephen Sondheim and Bill Holman, to Chicagoâs own John Kornegay who wrote the arrangement of "Just Friends", and Tom Mattaâs arrangement of "My One and Only Love". Add to this the collaboration of three of the bandâs top players, Catalano, Kozlowski, and Garrison on the composition "Samba Da Yo" and what do you have - variety at itsâ best, without subtracting from the sounds of great big band jazz!

The first cut on the album, "Reubenâs Blues" composed and arranged by Gene Roland, sets the mood with a bass intro by Anthony Brock followed by the bone ensemble which is then enhanced by the saxes. Trumpet soloist Kirk Garrison does some nice half-valving and brilliant lead work. Frank Catalano takes an excellent solo, which begins quietly and crescendos to an exciting climax.

Lenny King has the talent for picking talent. This is clearly evident when listening to Mike Flack, a former student of Lenâs, who is clearly a professional pianist with a great future. In "Send In the Clowns" Mike begins with some interesting dissonant chords, which graduate to a soulful delivery stating his understanding of Sondheimâs intent for this ever-popular classic. Kirk Garrisonâs dramatic high note solo always brings down the house. This great chart was arranged by Dave Barduhn for the Kenton orchestra.

The two great Bill Holman charts on this album, "Malaguena" and "Out of Nowhere", feature some of Chicagoâs finest talent - Hary Kozlowski on trombone, Bryan Murray and Frank Catalano on tenor sax. Ben Clarkâs trumpet and Bryan Murrayâs tenor sax grab your attention on "My Old Flame" with their mutual understanding of the song. And each of the CMJO sections provide powerful tone color all the way to the conclusion, ending in a quiet sustained cadence which further enhances this cut. "My One and Only Love" showcases Hary Kozlowski who is truly a master of his art. Hary demonstrates not only feeling but technical proficiency on the instrument of his choice - the trombone. He uses his wide range and fluency throughout the entire piece.

Many great jazz albums include original material composed by band members and "Labor Of Love" features a fun composition called "Samba Da Yo" jointly composed by Frank Catalano and Hary Kozlowski, arranged by Kirk Garrison. Just like the players, the opening is wild, after which Hary and Frank come together in unison with an interesting theme that is reminiscent of a Pete Rugolo early sixties TV theme. Later on the trombone section states itsâ case and Frank takes a solo that jives. I also compliment the percussion section. Al Keeler and Michael Fiala truly do a great job.

There are two vocal cuts on this album by Joni King. "All of Me" is a great upbeat tune and in "When Sunny Gets Blue" Joni shows how well she can deliver a lyric. Joni , a retired H. S. Vocal Music Director, sings regularly with the orchestra wherever they appear and helps her husband, Lenny, with the bandâs activities and promotions. This is a team that has enjoyed making music together ever since meeting in college over 40 years ago, representing a true "Labor Of Love".

Billy Strayhornâs "Take the âAâ Train", arranged by Don Menza, is certainly one of my favorite tracks. Mike Flack comes in with a very swinging piano entry and Frank Catalano, Bryan Murray and Chris Sarlas swing right through the cut. Nate Walcott does a splendid job on trumpet and the final stages of this number showcase the precision of both the sax and brass sections as they execute great phrases.

All of the other cuts are terrific too, and it is a pleasure to see another Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra CD hit the streets. I, for one, have added it to my extensive collection of big bands and I know that it will soon be on the shelves of all other big band enthusiasts.

John Burnett, Morning Jazz Host

90.9FM WDCB - Glen Ellyn/Chicago
_____________________________________________________________

CD - Labor of Love: Review by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz

The Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestraâs first recording ( Live and Screaminâ, a concert date from OctoberâNovember â97) was so impressive the thought here was that only a âlabor of loveâ could possibly equal or surpass it. Well, the millennium has arrived, and with it the CMJOâs Labor of Love, and if the bandâs second excursion canât eclipse the flash and excitement of Screaminâ, it comes close often enough to dissuade any reproval. As usual, the CMJOâs repertoire is conspicuously inspired by the Stan Kenton library with splendid charts written for Kentonâs orchestra by Gene Roland (âReubenâs Bluesâ), Dave Barduhn (âSend in the Clownsâ), Marty Paich (âMy Old Flameâ), Lennie Niehaus (âAll of Meâ), Willie Maiden (âA Little Minor Boozeâ) and Bill Holman (âOut of Nowhere,â âMalaguenaâ). The sessionâs midsection accommodates tasteful arrangements by John Kornegay (âJust Friendsâ), Tom Matta (âMy One and Only Loveâ), Don Menza (âTake the âAâ Trainâ), Jerry Nowak (âWhen Sunny Gets Blueâ) and the CMJOâs superb lead trumpeter, Kirk Garrison (Frank Catalano / Hary Kozlowskiâs âSamba da Yoâ). Personnel has changed to some extent; gone from the earlier recording are such standout soloists as trumpeters Joey Tartell and Terry Connell, tenor saxophonist Mark Colby, trombonist John Mose and pianist Don Stille. Stepping into their shoes in commendable fashion are Garrison, tenors Catalano and Bryan Murray, trumpeters Ben Clark and Randy Kulik, altos Chris Sarlas and Gary Parker, trombonist Kozlowski and young pianist Mike Flack (Garrison, Catalano, Kulik, Kozlowski and Sarlas also performed on Live and Screaminâ ). Drummer Michael Fiala is a firstârate dep for Charlie Braugham and Bob Chmel, who shared those duties on Live and Screaminâ. Murray is showcased on âJust Friends,â Kozlowski on âMy One and Only Love,â rising star Catalano on âOut of Nowhere.â Another bright new addition is Mrs. King, vocalist Joni, whose lucid soprano is heard to good advantage on âAll of Meâ and âWhen Sunny Gets Blueâ (with marvelous support from the ensemble on both numbers). The CMJO opens with a clearâcut winner, Rolandâs shuffling âReubenâs Bluesâ (whose walking intro by bassist Anthony Brock paves the way for persuasive adâlibs by Garrison and Catalano). In a similar vein is Maidenâs âMinor Booze,â whose understated but effective solos are by Flack, Parker and Kulik with searing highânote passages courtesy of Garrison. The arrangements of âMy Old Flame,â âSend in the Clownsâ and âMalaguenaâ are widely seen as classics, while Menzaâs dynamic treatment of Billy Strayhornâs ââAâ Trainâ (fueled by Flackâs romping piano intro) hurtles along that track as well. Catalano shows on âNowhereâ that heâs going somewhere (while the CMJO shows it has power to spare), and Murray proves an able counterpart on âFriends.â Although nothing can match the heartâstopping spontaneity of a live recording, the CMJO has fashioned a remarkably colorful studio session with enough sparkle and fire to earn the admiration of even the most demanding bigâband enthusiast.

Jack Bowers, Reviewer, All About Jazz

People who are interested in Maynard Ferguson Stan Kenton Michael Bublé should consider this download.