BLegacy - The Last Sessions
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Reviews: Paul Cacia 'Legacy' #5500 International Trumpet Guild - Journal - Recording Reviews - March 2007 |
Legacy - The Last Sessions By Edward Blanco A trumpeter whose high-register playing style has been compared to the late Maynard Ferguson, Paul Cacia releases his tenth album and first in the last fifteen years with Legacy—The Last Sessions. It's essentially a compilation of studio sets during the years from 1991 to 2005 recorded with some degree of participation from 25 well-known big name jazz artists (among them Don Menza, Pete Christlieb, Bill Watrous, Tito Puente, Jack Sheldon, Pete and Condi Candoli, and Louie Bellson), some of whom have since passed away, hence the title The Last Sessions. The special guest list also includes legendary arrangers Sammy Nestico, Bill Holman, Ernie Wilkins and Pete Rugolo. Mastered in HDCD technology, the audio quality here is superb, leaving you with the feeling that you’re sitting in the front row of a concert. The music includes straightahead big band jazz playing, one classical piece and eight pop/jazz standards, like Billy Strayhorn’s “Take The “A” Train,” “Stormy Weather,” “Round Midnight” and Cole Porter’s “Love For Sale.” It was a bit surprising to hear a jazz album open up in a classical mode with Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma,” which Cacia dominates, soloing in the high-note fashion which has become his trademark. There is a terrific rendition of “Take The 'A' Train,” spruced up with tasty solos from Don Menza (tenor), “Snooky” Young (trumpet) and the leader.
Track listing: Nessun Dorma; Take The "A" Train; Stormy Weather; Why Don't You Do Right; Overtime; Angel Eyes; Jordu; Round Midnight; Love For Sale. Personnel: Paul Cacia: leader, conductor, trumpet. The Modern Studio Masters: Charlie Davis, Wayne Bergeron, Rick Baptist, Joe Davis, Frank Szabo: trumpets; Eric Jorgensen, David Stout, Mike Daigeau, Rich Bullock, Phil Teele: trombone; Tommy Johnson: tuba; Vince DeRosa, Art Maebe, Gus Klien, Jim Avery, Jeff DeRosa: horns; Marshal Royal, Buddt Collette, Don Menza, Jay Migliori, Jack Nimitz, Rusty Higgins: reeds; Louie Bellson, Paul Smith, Jimmy Rowles, Milcho Leview, Dave Stone, Jay Falcone: rhythm section; Jennifer Wood: vocals (4); Special Guests: Harry "Sweets" Edison, Tito Puente, Conti Candoli, Snooky Young, Jack Sheldon, Gabe Baltazar, Ray Reed, Bill Watrous, Pete Christlieb, Sal Marquez, Pete Candoli, Stacy Rowles and Chuck Findley. Style: Big Band Reprinted with permission. |
| Paul Cacia -- Legacy Whoa! This CD is about great musicians, superb charts by great arrangers, a concert jazz orchestra, and a legacy! Can you imagine putting out a call for these musicians, composers and arrangers -- and they show up at various times for their part of one of the great jazz CD compilations?! This is not about calling a gizillion bass players and have them show up on a street corner in NYC. It is about stellar players, composers and arrangers coming in to do their thing. Here they are! The arranger/composers -- David Stout, Ernie Wilkins, Sammy Nistico, Pete Rugolo, Bill Holman, Paul Cacia; The players -- Don Menza, 'Snooky' Young, Paul Smith, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Ray Reed, Joe Davis, Mike Daigeau, Pete Christlieb, Gabe Baltazar, Les Bendict, Bill Watrous, Dave Stone, Louis Bellson, Pete Candoli, Conte Candoli, Sal Manquez, Jimmy Rowles, Chuck Findley, Stacey Rowles, Jack Sheldon, Tito Puente, Victor Pantoja, Ray Armando, and Paul Cacia. And, did I mention vocalist Jennifer Wood. The names alone shout out to you, "Whoa, this is a keeper!" A dream group charting/performing great stalwart tunes: Nessun Dorma (yeah, Pavarotti's signature), Take the 'A' Train (Ellington's signature), Stormy Weather (Lena Horne's signature), Why Don't You Do Right, Overtime (Rugolo's composition to highlight star players in the late 40s and early 50s), Angel Eyes, Jordu (one of Clifford Brown's signatures), 'Round Midnight (so many signatures), and Love for Sale (Rugolo's Kenton band re-worked chart)....a veritable cornucopia of, "whoa," that's for me to listen! Too much "halo effect" (cognitive and critical bias) you say? You mean there are no 'downers' on this CD. Not really. I would have preferred that the orchestra played and was recorded "live" with a jocular & loud biased audience. (I like 'live' performances)! 'Whoa', now don't go after me for the latter. With all of the musicians involved, a live performance would not have been possible. I know that. You know that. Give the recordings some slack! OK. Having written all of that. Listen to this CD closely. Suspend your disbelieft, and enjoy the charts. Enjoy the musicians. And remember, for some, this may have been the last time they swung their axes. I did -- three times through before I put my fingers on the keyboard. Indeed a legacy. Thanks Paul. As we said in my 'hood, "You done good!" /s/ Tony ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Anthony J. Agostinelli, Editor THE NETWORK |
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Cacia Jazz Orchestra - Legacy - The Last Sessions - Empressario A fine big band primer Paul Cacia Jazz Orchestra - Legacy - The Last Sessions Empressario 5500, 38:33 ****: Recorded during the years 1991 to 2005, Paul Cacia's 2006 compilation issue, Legacy -The Last Sessions, is a CD of jazz standards played by dream bands put together by Paul to honor the crème de la crème of jazz stars. Cacia had all the improvised solos recorded privately. For some of the all-star soloists, it was their last recording session, though Paul has not indicated which ones meet that reference. Some of the soloists thank goodness are still with us. Cacia himself is known as a high note trumpet virtuoso in the mold of Maynard Ferguson. This is especially noted in the first track, the opera aria Nessun Dorma. Next comes Ellington's Take the A Train, which features solos by Don Menza on tenor and Snooky Young on trumpet, and a nice arrangement by the late Ernie Wilkins. Another classic, Stormy Weather, arranged by the great Basie arranger, Sammy Nestico has Cacia with solo trumpet and Flugelhorn honors. The sole vocal track, Why Don't You Do Right, is sung in a sultry manner by Jennifer Wood, backed by solos by Paul Smith on piano and Harry Sweets Edison, on Harmon trumpet. Pete Rugolo's Overtime is a near five-minute solo extravaganza, with honors to a multitude of stars each getting a few bars: Ray Reed, Pete Christlieb, Gabe Baltazar, Bill Watrous, Louis Bellson, and Pete and Conte Candoli. This track alone is worth the cost of admission. The Candoli brothers are back again for the standard Angel Eyes and the late Jimmy Rowles has a brief opening solo. Duke Jordan's Jordu benefits by an arrangement by the brilliant West Coast legend, Bill Holman, who thankfully is still going strong today. Monk's 'Round Midnight is done in a moody low-key manner and features Jimmy Rowles' daughter Stacy on flugelhorn, and Jack Sheldon on trumpet, before the full band kicks in. Closing the CD is Cole Porter's Love for Sale given a Latin treatment with the late Tito Puente on timbales and percussion by Victor Pantoja and Rey Armando. Non-soloists worth mentioning in some of Cacia's super bands include Marshall Royal, Jack Nimitz, and Buddy Collette on saxes and Wayne Bargeron on trumpet. This Cacia release is a nice recommendation as an introductory CD for jazz fans who want an introduction to the world of big band jazz. It's a crash course in 38 minutes. Tracks: Nessun Dorma, Take the A Train, Stormy Weather, Why Don‚t you Do Right, Overtime, Angel Eyes, Jordu, Round Midnight, Love For Sale -
Jeff Krow |
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Reviews: Paul Cacia 'Legacy' #5500 Posted by: adminon Friday, June 23, 2006 - 07:29 AM |
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Listening to jazz trumpet-eer Paul Cacia is like listening
to a modern.... in real time... yet contemporary ...Harry James. The sound
is there, the technique flawless, & the ideas flowing constantly.
And, few folks know that Harry James was a exponent of 'bebop' too. The
big band idiom is my passion as well, & my readers will note the joy
I feel fronting my big band. So, doing this review was totally painless.
And, with arrangers like Pete Rugulo, Bill Holman, et al, the musical
sensibilities of any jazz-phile can only be but sated. Please note the
instrumental lineup .... a true study in ''legends''..i.e. Don Menza,
Peter Christlieb, Bill Watrous, Jimmy Rowles, Pete & Conte Condoli,
Jack Sheldon...Yea!! There all there ! This review writes itself, &
the enclosed mentioned players are by default a testament to this fact,
plus the utter success of the disc so aptly put together by the towering
talent of a master trumpet player in his own right, one Paul Cacia. As
a true devotee of the big band idiom, might I call the attention of my
readers to the flawless section work...So much in tune....just absolute
loveliness & loaded with musical spirit, soul & animation. This
was truly an edifying experience for me. Thank you Paul!
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman |
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Paul Cacia Jazz Orchestra: Legacy – The Last Sessions (Empressario 5500)
www.paulcacia.com
Paul Cacia, a trumpeter of the first rank, spent 14 years putting this spectacular session together, which was completed in late 2005. Over the course of the project, four world-class jazz arrangers and 25 Jazz Hall of Fame guest soloists participated. For some of the artists, this was their last recording, making the CD title even more relevant. As Cacia explains, “This album presents a variety of styles and formats that show the versatility and diversity that a big band is capable of in the concert jazz orchestra idiom.” “Take The A Train” gets a traditional, danceable swing treatment, with a powerhouse arrangement by Ernie Wilkins, highlighted by solos from such notables as “Snooky” Young, Don Menza, and Paul Smith. Leader Cacia demonstrates his powerful “high-note chops” on trumpet with a romping “Stormy Weather” arranged by Sammy Nestico. Central Ohio’s late, great trumpet master Harry “Sweets” Edison is smoothly, slyly showcased as he and the band back guest vocalist Jennifer Wood on an ultra-hip rendition of “Why Don’t You Do Right?” Pete Rugolo’s written-and-arranged “Overtime” is classic West Coast big band – reminiscent of all those great sounds generated by Kenton, Holman, and Rogers in the mid-fifties. Soloists on this track include such legends as the brothers Candoli (Pete and Conte) on trumpets, Don Menza, Pete Christleib, and Gabe Baltazar on saxes, Bill Watrous on t-bone, Louis Bellson on drums, and many more. ‘Tis my favorite track on the album. Whatever the selection, whatever the style, this is hard-core, straight-ahead jazz that will please, excite, and satisfy big band/jazz orchestra aficionados of all ages. SHORT NORTH GAZZETTEFritz the Nite Owl Jazz Smooth Jazz WJZA 103.5FM/104.3FM Sunday 9pm to 12 Midnight |
RADIO DJ REVIEWS
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name: Joost
van Steen Company name: Alphen Stad FM Date: 2007-02-11 03:03:51 Feedback: Great Orchestra as Great Orchestra should be !! A CD to cherise ! |
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name: Chrissy
Rasmussen Company name: 101FM Radio Logan Date: 2006-12-15 09:57:17 Feedback: great music have played all tracks to my listeners they love it regards chrissy rasmussen |
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name: Ilan
Oz Company name: Radio Judaica Brussels Date: 2006-12-07 11:30:05 Feedback: It was an interesting discovery, for me, to learn about the exitence of such a talented artist. Further more, the presence of some legendary names made it very attractive. Since having received it, the album got planty of airtime because it is the kind of music that my audience like and enjoy so it fits nicely into the show. In particular, one broadcast was devoted to trumpet players and the album came very useful. Thanks for the nice music! |
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name: Henry Brun |
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name: Richard
Good Company name: Radio One 91 FM Date: 2006-11-14 03:23:34 Feedback: A record review, and ongoing airplay across several programmes of Radio One's Jazz Junction. A high powered big band with some big name artists. Interesting arrangements -perhaps on occasions too baroque for my taste. |
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name: David
Font Company name: FM107.1 (2AAA) Date: 2006-11-13 09:04:56 Feedback: Always a pleasure to feature new artists on our weekly jazz show... Nice sound... |
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name: Lili
Company name: Artsound 92.7 FM Date: 2006-11-02 07:15:52 Feedback: Thanks for an excellent CD. |
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name: Sharron
Grauner Company name: BODFM Inc Date: 2006-11-02 07:01:55 Feedback: Thank you for your Cd. It has been placed in our Cd library for consideration for airplay by our DJ's. |
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name: Mudshark Company name: KVMR-FM Nevada City Date: 2006-10-18 07:36:40 Feedback: Absolutely INCREDIBLE !!! ~~~~ NEVADA |
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name: Marilyn Arnold Company name: 91.3 KVLU - FM Date: 2006-10-16 07:00:52 Feedback: This a great CD! I have played several cuts on my program. The big band sound is alive and growing in Beaumont, Texas, and this is a great addition to my library. I like the standards the best and play them regularly on my jazz program. Thanks! ...Marilyn Arnold ~~~~ TEXAS |
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name: Louis Brunet Company name: CKMN-FM 96,5 Date: 2006-09-27 05:24:58 Feedback: Very good cd ! I've played it in my show many times. |
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name: perrichon jacques |
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name: Bruno Pollacci |
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name: Mark Robinson Company name: GeorgeFM Date: 2006-09-18 04:42:38 Feedback: Hi, This is a great CD release. I will be featuring it on my jazz shows here in NZ over the next few weeks. Thanks for sending it to me. Cheers, Mark ~~~~ NEW ZEALAND |
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name: John van Eijsden |
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name: William Jervis |
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name: Lenny Mazel |
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name: Leon Reyes |
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name: Bob Parzych |
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name: Alex Pijnen |
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name: Lynn Wells / Geof Cartledge |
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name: Tony Bates Company name: Highlands 100.7FM Date: 2006-08-19 07:57:10 Feedback: Great to hear such classics rendered in a very professional manner. The orchestral interplay just leaves one calling for more. Artistic genius at work, here, definitely! ~~~~ AUSTRALIA |
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name: Peter L. Poses, Ph.D., LMFT |
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name: Armen Manukyan Company name: ARDZAGANK Music Company Date: 2006-08-17 02:27:27 Feedback: Excellent album! Excellent musician! Really Fantastic! The first track - Nessun Dorma - is Masterpiece! Thank you! ~~~~ARMENIA |
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name: Michael Criddle Company name: Triple H-FM Date: 2006-08-12 09:00:42 Feedback: What a great sound you have, I have played several of your tracks to date and plan to schedule more in future programs. Keep up the good work and please keep me up to date with your progress Regards, Michael Criddle- OzRadio ~~~~AUSTRALIA |
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name: Helen Jarroe |
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name: John Ford |
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name: Bob Levoy Company name: WRHU FM Date: 2006-08-08 03:12:21 Feedback: "Legacy has it all: jazz classics played with superb musicianship led by trumpeter Paul Cacia. . .and awesome arrangements by musical greats. Homerun!" Bob Collins The Jazz Cafe WRHU ~~~~NEW YORK |
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name: John Ziegler Company name: KUMD Date: 2006-08-05 03:12:21 Feedback: Just a note to say we have been playing the new release here a 100,000 watt KUMD in Duluth, MN. Good record! Within big band jazz releases, this is a recent favorite! It is getting 2-3 spins a week. Best Regards, John ~~~~MINNESOTA |
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name: Barry O\'Sullivan Company name: BLU FM 89.1 Date: 2006-08-03 10:12:23 Feedback: A great big band album.The superb arrangements and fine players make this one a class act.I loved it and will add tracks to my playlist from time to time when only a big band will do! Barry O'Sullivan-Producer/Presenter of A Jazz Hour across Australia via the CBAA network to 181 stations each week at 5pm Saturday. ~~~~AUSTRALIA |
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name: Pascal Dorban |
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name: Gene Purcell, Regional Manager Company name: Wisconsin Public Radio - WLSU-FM Date: 2006-07-20 06:48:23 Feedback: Thanks for sending us your CD: "Legacy - The Last Sessions" - Congratulations! It's outstanding. It went into our play list and began airing on 7/10/06. We've had very good feedback, and we would really like to have your other releases for our listners. We will be happy to give them good air time. Thanks, Gene ~~~~WISCONSIN |
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name: Harold Ellison |
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name: John Reid Company name: Keith Community Radio Date: 2006-07-05 11:55:46 Feedback: Thank you for sending this C.D. This is a truly outstanding recording which epitomises the class,quality,and genius of the top bands from the Swing Era. Leading from the front with flawless Trumpet playing Mr Cacia has assembled an Orchestra of sublime talent. The arrangements and production are faultless and are reflected by the standard of Musicianship on the various tracks . This recording was a pleasure to listen to, this will receive complete airplay on our Radio Station. Brilliant !! Best Wishes John Reid Keith Community Radio 102.8 FM Keith - Banffshire ~~~~SCOTLAND |
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name: Armen Manukyan Company name: ARDZAGANK Music Company Date: 2006-07-21 06:48:43 Feedback: Excellent! For many years already I have not listen to such and great trumpet sound! Nessun Dorma is the Best! bIg Band and GReat musicians! Perfect sound, lovely tunes! ~~~~ARMENIA |