John La Barbera Big Band - Fantazm (2005)

A superior arranger, John La Barbera utilized some of the top Los Angeles-based musicians on this big-band date (including his brother, drummer Joe La Barbera), importing his other musical brother, tenor and soprano saxophonist Pat La Barbera from Canada. Along the way one hears one of Woody Shaw's best compositions ("Moontrane"), an organ piece for Bill Cunliffe ("Pythodd Fellows"), the love theme from the film Apache ("My Love And I"), an obscure Duke Ellington number ("Fantaqzm"), the pop tune "Kyrie," Pat La Barbera's "Yours or Mine or Blues," and three originals by the leader. In addition to Pat and Joe La Barbera, key soloists include trumpeters Clay Jenkins and Wayne Bergeron, guitarist Larry Koonse, Bob Sheppard on soprano, altoist Kim Richmond, Bob Carr on bass clarinet, trombonist Andy Martin, and Bill Cunliffe on piano and organ. The writing gives each selection forward momentum and the results are never predictable. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow

Down Beat (p.74) - 3 stars out of 5 – "Strong tracks like the pungent blues variant 'Yours Or Mine Or Blues' and the sensuous Duke Ellington title piece tip the balance in La Barbera's favor."
JazzTimes (p.111) - "With each of the siblings highly regarded in his own right, the superior quality of their collaboration is virtually assured. Add some of the best players in the Los Angeles area and the deal is cinched."

John La Barbera Big Band

Saxes:
Brian Scanlon – Alto, Soprano, Flute
Kim Richmond – Alto, Flute, Soprano
Bob Sheppard – Tenor, Soprano
Pat La Barbera – Tenor, Soprano
Tom Peterson – Tenor, Clarinet
Bob Carr – Baritone, Bass Clarinet

Trumpets:
Wayne Bergeron – Flugelhorn
(Lead 2, 3, 7, 8, Split Lead 5)
Dennis Farias (Lead 1, 4, 6)
Bob O’Donnell (Split Lead 5)
Clay Jenkins

Bones:
Alex Iles (Lead 1, 2, 4, 7)
Charlie Morillas (Lead 3, 8)
Bob McChesney (Lead 6)
Andy Martin Replaces McChesney on
“Zin Zak” (Lead 5)
Ken Kugler – Bass

Rhythm:
Larry Koonse – Guitar (on 2 & 3)
Bill Cunliffe – Keyboards, B3 Organ
Tom Warrington – Bass
Joe La Barbera – Drums
Scott Breadman – Percussion

TRACK LIST:

1. Moontrane (Woody Shaw) – 5:53 listen
Solos: Pat La Barbera, Tenor Sax; Clay Jenkins,
Trumpet; Joe La Barbera, Drums

2. Pythodd Fellows (John La Barbera) – 8:39 listen
Solos: Bill Cunliffe, Hammond B3 Organ; Larry
Koonse, Guitar; Pat La Barbera, Tenor Sax

3. Over F (John La Barbera) – 4:59 listen
Solos: Bob Sheppard, Soprano Sax; Joe La Barbera, Drums; Scott Breadman, Percussion

4. My Love And I (Love Theme from ‘Apache’)
(David Raksin/Johnny Mercer) – 6:19 listen
Solo: Pat La Barbera, Tenor Sax

5. Zin Zak (John La Barbera) – 7:58 listen
Solos: Kim Richmond, Alto Sax; Andy Martin,
Trombone; Bill Cunliffe, Piano

6. Yours Or Mine Or Blues (Pat La Barbera) – 8:40 listen
Solos: Clay Jenkins, Trumpet; Bob McChesney,
Trombone; Pat La Barbera, Tenor Sax

7. Fantazm (Duke Ellington) – 8:00 listen
Solos: Pat La Barbera, Tenor Sax; Bill Cunliffe,
Piano; Bob Carr, Bass Clarinet

8. Kyrie (Page, George & Lang) – 4:21 listen
Solos: Wayne Bergeron,Trumpet; Bob Sheppard,
Soprano Saxt