- The Pete Cater Big Band (Vocalion)
Extracts from a recent review by Ron Simmonds ...........
To see the full review visit www.crecsendojazz.com
When you listen to the Pete Cater Big Band you realise at once just what a giant step Pete and his musicians have made for British big band jazz The charts on this CD have been written by outstanding arrangers and composers. Frank Griffith wrote four of them - remember his scores on Pete's first album, Playing with Fire? On a recording of such perfection it is difficult to single out individuals. The brass is awe-inspiring. Every entry is breath-taking at both ends - from the lead trumpet of Andy Cuss to the superb bass trombone of Adrian Hallowell.
Dave Jones takes some inspired bass solos. Usually a bass solo will be unaccompanied, save a light drum rhythm and perhaps a few random chords from the keyboards. Here the bass plays solo over an ensemble background, a wonderful effect. Here's a tip: once you've heard All Blues right through, play it again at once, then one more time. It will grow on you. Well, it did on me, and I'm an old soldier, heard it all. But I ain't never heard nothin' like this CD before, no sir.
Extracts from a recent review by Jack Bowers ...........
To see the full review visit www.allaboutjazz.com
" The Pete Cater Big Band earned top honors among larger groups last year in the annual Post Office–sponsored British Jazz Awards competition. From pianist Matt O’Regan’s breezy introduction to his splendid arrangement of Jerome Kern’s “The Song Is You” to the last deeply–grooved measures of guitarist Dave Stryker’s “Nomad,” drummer Cater’s hard–working crew swings as powerfully and as often as a big band should.
Cater is a superb time–keeper (with brushes or sticks) and an excellent soloist as well . Alto Scott Garland is the most frequently heard soloist, with velvet–toned trombonist Barnaby Dickinson featured on Vernon Duke’s “Autumn in New York” and dazzling young tenor Ben Castle on Bobby Troup’s “The Meaning of the Blues.” Others heard to good advantage are tenors Simon Hayson and Pete Wareham, bassist Dave Jones, flugel Ollie Preece, baritone Bob McKay, alto Paul Fawcus and trombonist Liam Kirkman .
Cater sums up his musical philosophy this way: “Introspection and elitism have no place in what we do; it’s present–day straight–ahead music. We run on energy, precision, excitement and damned hard work. You don’t have to be a purist or a connoisseur to get our message loud and clear.” Loud and clear is precisely what you get on Upswing! — with an ample helping of the energy, precision and excitement alluded to by Cater. In short, this is an album that should be in every big-band enthusiast's music library (as should Playing with Fire, the PCBB's maiden voyage on Jazzizit Records, No. 9812)."
Contact: Vocalion, c/o Dutton Laboratories Ltd., P.O. Box 609, Watford, Hertfordshire WD1 7YA, UK. Phone 01923 803001; fax 01923 247008; web site, www.duttonlabs.demon.co.uk (Pete Cater Big Band, P.O. Box 123, Borehamwood, Herts. WD6, 3ZG, UK. Phone 020 8953–3830; fax 020 83 86 84 87).
Track Listing: The Song Is You; Silver’s Serenade; Autumn in New York; All Blues; Laura; Phineas; King Size Skins; Angel Eyes; The Meaning of the Blues; Nomad (62:58).
Personnel: Pete Cater, drums, leader; Andy Cuss, Darren Wiles, Oliver Preece, Henry Collins, trumpets; Scott Garland, Paul Fawcus, Simon Hayson, Pete Wareham, Bob McKay, reeds; Liam Kirkman, Barnaby Dickinson, Adrian Lane, Adrian Hallowell, trombones; Matt O’Regan, piano; Dave Jones, bass. Tracks 2, 8–10 — Ben Castle replaces Hayson; Dave Williamson replaces Dickinson.
To see the full review visit www.crecsendojazz.com
When you listen to the Pete Cater Big Band you realise at once just what a giant step Pete and his musicians have made for British big band jazz The charts on this CD have been written by outstanding arrangers and composers. Frank Griffith wrote four of them - remember his scores on Pete's first album, Playing with Fire? On a recording of such perfection it is difficult to single out individuals. The brass is awe-inspiring. Every entry is breath-taking at both ends - from the lead trumpet of Andy Cuss to the superb bass trombone of Adrian Hallowell.
Dave Jones takes some inspired bass solos. Usually a bass solo will be unaccompanied, save a light drum rhythm and perhaps a few random chords from the keyboards. Here the bass plays solo over an ensemble background, a wonderful effect. Here's a tip: once you've heard All Blues right through, play it again at once, then one more time. It will grow on you. Well, it did on me, and I'm an old soldier, heard it all. But I ain't never heard nothin' like this CD before, no sir.
Extracts from a recent review by Jack Bowers ...........
To see the full review visit www.allaboutjazz.com
" The Pete Cater Big Band earned top honors among larger groups last year in the annual Post Office–sponsored British Jazz Awards competition. From pianist Matt O’Regan’s breezy introduction to his splendid arrangement of Jerome Kern’s “The Song Is You” to the last deeply–grooved measures of guitarist Dave Stryker’s “Nomad,” drummer Cater’s hard–working crew swings as powerfully and as often as a big band should.
Cater is a superb time–keeper (with brushes or sticks) and an excellent soloist as well . Alto Scott Garland is the most frequently heard soloist, with velvet–toned trombonist Barnaby Dickinson featured on Vernon Duke’s “Autumn in New York” and dazzling young tenor Ben Castle on Bobby Troup’s “The Meaning of the Blues.” Others heard to good advantage are tenors Simon Hayson and Pete Wareham, bassist Dave Jones, flugel Ollie Preece, baritone Bob McKay, alto Paul Fawcus and trombonist Liam Kirkman .
Cater sums up his musical philosophy this way: “Introspection and elitism have no place in what we do; it’s present–day straight–ahead music. We run on energy, precision, excitement and damned hard work. You don’t have to be a purist or a connoisseur to get our message loud and clear.” Loud and clear is precisely what you get on Upswing! — with an ample helping of the energy, precision and excitement alluded to by Cater. In short, this is an album that should be in every big-band enthusiast's music library (as should Playing with Fire, the PCBB's maiden voyage on Jazzizit Records, No. 9812)."
Contact: Vocalion, c/o Dutton Laboratories Ltd., P.O. Box 609, Watford, Hertfordshire WD1 7YA, UK. Phone 01923 803001; fax 01923 247008; web site, www.duttonlabs.demon.co.uk (Pete Cater Big Band, P.O. Box 123, Borehamwood, Herts. WD6, 3ZG, UK. Phone 020 8953–3830; fax 020 83 86 84 87).
Track Listing: The Song Is You; Silver’s Serenade; Autumn in New York; All Blues; Laura; Phineas; King Size Skins; Angel Eyes; The Meaning of the Blues; Nomad (62:58).
Personnel: Pete Cater, drums, leader; Andy Cuss, Darren Wiles, Oliver Preece, Henry Collins, trumpets; Scott Garland, Paul Fawcus, Simon Hayson, Pete Wareham, Bob McKay, reeds; Liam Kirkman, Barnaby Dickinson, Adrian Lane, Adrian Hallowell, trombones; Matt O’Regan, piano; Dave Jones, bass. Tracks 2, 8–10 — Ben Castle replaces Hayson; Dave Williamson replaces Dickinson.
"Playing With Fire"- The Pete Cater Big Band (Jazzizit Records - JITCD 9812)
Extracts from a recent review ...........
To see the full review visit www.crecsendojazz.com
Since it was issued the jazz world has been going haywire.....Pete’s CD, Playing with Fire, has already received rave write–ups in dozens of publications all over the world..... The CD starts with a bang and ends with a bang.....What happens in between is sixty–five minutes of sheer heaven.
Pete has his own star arranger in the shape of Frank Griffith. If I were you, Pete, I’d give Frank a life’s contract, or chain him up somewhere. Never let him go! Of the ten titles on Playing with Fire Frank has composed, arranged and part arranged six of them..... He has the ideas, the talent and the technique needed to kick the big band industry back into life and Pete’s is the right band with which to do it.
One of the things that hit me straight away with this recording is the amazing presence of the saxophone section......This CD was recorded at Gateway Studios in Kingston, so here’s to you, my men. A great feat of engineering.
Pete’s brass section is a force to reckon with, a veritable wall of sound..... Their playing, phrasing and internal balance is awe–inspiring. They phrase correctly, play together and balance perfectly. They project and hold the notes, retaining the full beauty of the harmonies and keeping up the tension...... This is well displayed by the high trombones in A Time for Love.
..... Better hit the road and buy this album and hear it for yourself. Quick, before they’re all sold out. Have your fire extinguisher ready when you listen to it.
To see the full review visit www.crecsendojazz.com
Since it was issued the jazz world has been going haywire.....Pete’s CD, Playing with Fire, has already received rave write–ups in dozens of publications all over the world..... The CD starts with a bang and ends with a bang.....What happens in between is sixty–five minutes of sheer heaven.
Pete has his own star arranger in the shape of Frank Griffith. If I were you, Pete, I’d give Frank a life’s contract, or chain him up somewhere. Never let him go! Of the ten titles on Playing with Fire Frank has composed, arranged and part arranged six of them..... He has the ideas, the talent and the technique needed to kick the big band industry back into life and Pete’s is the right band with which to do it.
One of the things that hit me straight away with this recording is the amazing presence of the saxophone section......This CD was recorded at Gateway Studios in Kingston, so here’s to you, my men. A great feat of engineering.
Pete’s brass section is a force to reckon with, a veritable wall of sound..... Their playing, phrasing and internal balance is awe–inspiring. They phrase correctly, play together and balance perfectly. They project and hold the notes, retaining the full beauty of the harmonies and keeping up the tension...... This is well displayed by the high trombones in A Time for Love.
..... Better hit the road and buy this album and hear it for yourself. Quick, before they’re all sold out. Have your fire extinguisher ready when you listen to it.
... New C.D. Coming Soon ...- The Pete Callard Quartet .
Extracts from a recent gig review by Charlay Dunlap ...........
The Pete Callard Quartet opened the jazz concert portion of the Bath International Guitar Festival in eminently suitable style .
Playing a Fender Stratocaster with an array of subtle effects , Callard is a fine exponent of modern jazz guitar . He is a chord man at core , playing chords as others less comprehensively skilled play notes . He brought to mind pianists Herbie Hancock and Bill Evans- with perhaps a bit of Bill Frissel thrown in .
His relaxed attack , including frequent use of volume pedal and slow portamento effect patches , plus his own natural fluidity , made it all seem easy . The audience , full of guitarists knew better .
The guitarist's graceful , almost diffident style left the stage open to tenor saxophonist Pete Wareham to provide the visceral excitement and he did , bringing the first burst of midnumber applause from the crowd . Wareham's more aggressive , emotional style juxtaposed nicely with the guitar - though he did have the benefit of those stimulating chords to play over .
Drummer Simon Pearson and bassist Dave Jones drove Callards post-bop/fusion tunes forcefully and expertly ; indeed , Callard seemed the calm at the eye of his storm .
The Pete Callard Quartet opened the jazz concert portion of the Bath International Guitar Festival in eminently suitable style .
Playing a Fender Stratocaster with an array of subtle effects , Callard is a fine exponent of modern jazz guitar . He is a chord man at core , playing chords as others less comprehensively skilled play notes . He brought to mind pianists Herbie Hancock and Bill Evans- with perhaps a bit of Bill Frissel thrown in .
His relaxed attack , including frequent use of volume pedal and slow portamento effect patches , plus his own natural fluidity , made it all seem easy . The audience , full of guitarists knew better .
The guitarist's graceful , almost diffident style left the stage open to tenor saxophonist Pete Wareham to provide the visceral excitement and he did , bringing the first burst of midnumber applause from the crowd . Wareham's more aggressive , emotional style juxtaposed nicely with the guitar - though he did have the benefit of those stimulating chords to play over .
Drummer Simon Pearson and bassist Dave Jones drove Callards post-bop/fusion tunes forcefully and expertly ; indeed , Callard seemed the calm at the eye of his storm .
Clive Dunstall's VOXTET
Clive Dunstall and his co-arrangers have created an eclectic mix of styles sung by an 8 voice close harmony ensemble.
Hear these voices of excellence on a brand new CD released FEB 2004 and gigs throughout the year
" Voxtet is an essentially jazz based close harmony vocal group with eight singers accompanied by a jazz quintet . All the vocalists/musicians are London based working in west end shows, orchestras, big bands, sessions and jazz ensembles ."
PERSONNEL
THE SINGERS Donna Canale - Emer McParland - Jacqui Hicks - Andrew Playfoot Sam Shaw - Yona Dunsford - Alison Jiear - Colin Skinner.
THE BAND Clive Dunstall : creator, arranger, keyboards / Pete Callard : guitars / Nick Moss : saxophones, flute / Dave Jones : double bass, bass guitar / Frosty Beedle : drums, percussion
visit the VOXTET web site at www.voxtet.com
Hear these voices of excellence on a brand new CD released FEB 2004 and gigs throughout the year
" Voxtet is an essentially jazz based close harmony vocal group with eight singers accompanied by a jazz quintet . All the vocalists/musicians are London based working in west end shows, orchestras, big bands, sessions and jazz ensembles ."
PERSONNEL
THE SINGERS Donna Canale - Emer McParland - Jacqui Hicks - Andrew Playfoot Sam Shaw - Yona Dunsford - Alison Jiear - Colin Skinner.
THE BAND Clive Dunstall : creator, arranger, keyboards / Pete Callard : guitars / Nick Moss : saxophones, flute / Dave Jones : double bass, bass guitar / Frosty Beedle : drums, percussion
visit the VOXTET web site at www.voxtet.com