Search - Emerald City Jazz Orchestra :: Come Rain Or Come Shine

Swinging, No-Nonsense Big Band Jazz

John Tapscott | Canada | 12/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Come Rain or Come Shine" is the second CD by the Seattle-based Emerald City Jazz Orchestra. The Orchestra is directed by Kevin Seeley who also plays lead trumpet in the band. This CD may be even more focused and consistent than the first, "Alive and Swinging" (which is a fine CD, as well).



For one thing, "Come Rain or Come Shine" was recorded in two sessions over two days in early 2005 (rather than over two years). For another, all the charts here are by the band's prime composer and arranger Matso Limtiaco (who also plays baritone sax in the band). Limtiaco's charts are quite creative within the established traditions of modern big band jazz, and he proves there is still musical gold to be mined in old standards like "Stella by Starlight", "In a Mellotone" and "Jumpin' at the Woodside". Perhaps his most striking and memorable charts are on the three prime Wayne Shorter compositions. Other stand-out charts are "Body and Soul" which unfolds from a quiet beginning to a great shout chorus; the bluesy and moving "Amazing Grace"; and the up-tempo "Come Rain or Come Shine" which swings all the way home.



In fact, no-nonsense jazz is the order of the day with this band and its' swinging, straight-ahead music. The band is tight, and the ensemble playing is powerful and spirited. The trumpet section can really bite! This would be a great band to hear live.



Among the band's fine soloists are trumpeter Vern Sielert, trombonists Vic Anderson (well-featured on Amazing Grace"), Dan Marcus and Nathan Vetter, saxophonists Cliff Colon, Mark Taylor, Travis Ranney, Ben Roseth, and Limtiaco, as well as pianist Reuel Lubag, who sets a high standard for the CD with his opening solo on "Speak No Evil." The rhythm section members - Lubag, bassist Steve Messick, and drummer Ken French are featured in solo roles on Limtiaco's original "Blues No. 2". They also shine as a unit throughout the CD.



The only slight drawback to the CD is the slightly flat and cramped recording sound. It is acceptable and very listenable, but hardly state-of-the art for current big band recordings. However, don't let this mild criticism put you off from buying this enjoyable and generous 78 minute CD. "Come Rain or Come Shine" is warmly recommend to all fans of swinging, accessible big band jazz."

ECJO - Come Rain or Come Shine, just buy it!

Kevin Seeley | Woodinville, WA United States | 01/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From www.allaboutjazz.com

Reviewed by Jack Bowers 11/27/05





A rule of thumb for any artistic endeavor is that a sequel is seldom as good as the original. The qualifier "seldom" must be used because there are occasional exceptions to the rule. As luck would have it, here comes one now-the Emerald City Jazz Orchestra's remarkable followup to its debut album, Alive and Swingin'! (SMP 0004). In reviewing that earlier enterprise, I noted that "section work is immaculate, soloists are superb, and the rhythm section simply kicks ass." I happy to report that nothing has changed.



Well, that's not entirely true; there have been a couple of changes, but for the better. Baritone saxophonist Matso Limtiaco, who authored nine of the thirteen exemplary charts on Swingin'!, has written all of them this time, while the ECJO has picked up another stellar soloist, veteran trumpeter Vern Sielert. Besides being a superb arranger, Limtiaco is a capable improviser too, as he shows on Wayne Shorter's "Infant Eyes" and Duke Ellington's "In a Mellow Tone."



Shorter is represented as well by "Speak No Evil" and "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum," Count Basie by "Jumpin' at the Woodside," Dizzy Gillespie by "Manteca," tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin by "Call It Whatchawanna" (showcasing one of the band's stylish tenors, Travis Ranney). Limtiaco also arranged the standards "Stella by Starlight," "Body and Soul" (another feature for Ranney) and "Come Rain or Come Shine," plus the traditional hymn "Amazing Grace," which he dedicated to those who lost their lives in NYC on September 11, 2001.



The album's only recent composition, "Blues #3," was written by Limtiaco to spotlight the rhythm section (with crisp solos by bassist Steve Messick, drummer Ken French and pianist Reuel Lubag). While each of Limtiaco's charts is enticing, I was especially charmed by the quicker tempo on "Mellow Tone," which is here more assertive than mellow (as is Matso's solo), and the funky framework on "Body and Soul," which handsomely complements Ranney's evocative tenor. "Woodside" doesn't sound a whole lot like Basie's classic theme but is nonetheless sharp and swinging on its own terms.



Limtiaco says he tried to choose songs with great blowing opportunities for the soloists, and so he has. Besides those already mentioned, the resourceful ad-libbers include trombonists Nathan Vetter, Dan Marcus and Vic Anderson; altos Ben Roseth and Mark Taylor; and tenor Cliff Colon, who burns rubber on "Manteca," "Fee-Fi" and "Woodside." The ensemble, as noted, is consistently trim and poised, vanquishing Limtiaco's strenuous charts with unflappable assurance.



The group's leader (and lead trumpeter), Kevin Seeley, writes in the liners that during the two recording sessions "no tune was played more than twice, and half of these tunes we caught on the first take! What a band!" I'll second that. The studio sound is generally acceptable, the 78:55 playing time exemplary. Another slam dunk by the well-endowed ECJO, and one of the more impressive big band albums of the year."