Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The University of North Texas Two O'Clock Jazz Band: A S...

139

The University of North Texas Two O'Clock Jazz Band: A Salute to Benny Carter

By

Sign in to view read count
The University of North Texas Two O'Clock Jazz Band: A Salute to Benny Carter
After more than half a century, the tradition of excellence continues at the University of North Texas in Denton with this splendid new release by the school’s Two O’Clock Jazz Band (the various UNT ensembles are named after their daily rehearsal times). While the famed One O’Clock Band is the best known and most widely recorded of the several UNT ensembles, the Two O’Clock Band proves on this earnest salute to celebrated composer / saxophonist / trumpeter / bandleader Benny Carter that it’s much less than an hour removed from its more frequently acclaimed running–mate. Here’s what Benny himself wrote after hearing the album: “I was pleased by the performance by the UNT Two O’Clock Lab Band of Kansas City Suite. The musicians played each piece as though it were written for them. I was personally gratified by the enthusiasm shown by the members of the Two O’Clock in the performance of my compositions and arrangements. The entire achievement was totally professional and my hat goes off to [transcriber] Vaughn Roberts, the soloists and especially to [director] Jim Riggs.” The first ten selections on the disc (which together comprise the aforementioned Kansas City Suite ) were written by Carter (and transcribed by the ’98 band’s Jazz trumpeter, Roberts); the others are by Thad Jones (“To You,” which was dedicated to Carter), Cole Porter (“All of You”), Frank Foster (‘Who Me?”), Steve Allen (“This Could Be the Start of Something”), Quincy Jones (“I Needs to be Bee’d with You”) and Benny Goodman / Jimmy Mundy / Charlie Christian (“Air Mail Special,” arranged by Al Cohn). It’s clear from the outset that the Two O’Clock Band is resolutely tuned to Carter’s wavelength, as these are colorful portrayals of his buoyantly swinging Kansas City–style compositions, and those who appreciate big–band Jazz in general, and the Swing Era in particular, should derive great pleasure from hearing them again. Also worth hearing and admiring are Jones’s ardent ballad, Porter’s elegant standard, the seductive swingers by Foster and Jones, and the flag–waving twosome, “Air Mail Special” and “This Could be the Start of Something.” The ensemble is sharp and perceptive, the soloists bold and assertive. A well–played and consistently stylish session from end to end.

Track listing: Vine Street Rumble; Katy Do; Miss Missouri; Rompin’ at the Reno; Sunset Glow; The Wiggle Walk; Meetin’ Time; Paseo Promenade; Blue Five Jive; Jackson County Jubilee; To You; All of You; Who Me?; This Could Be the Start of Something Big; I Needs to Be Bee’d with You; Air Mail Special (61:12).

Personnel

1998

Album information

Title: A Salute to Benny Carter | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Klavier

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.