John Burnett: Frieda Lee (vocals); John Moran (guitar); Nick Mazarella, Bob Frankich (alto saxophone); Doug Stone, Anthony Bruno (tenor saxophone); Bruce Mack (baritone saxophone); Greg Duncan, Terry Connell, Mike McGrath, Tony Pons, Randy Sandke (trumpet); Bryant Scott, Adam Gross, Dana Legg (trombone); Bill Walsh (bass trombone); Mark Burnell (piano); Paul Martin (bass instrument); Bill Byan (drums); John Burnett Swing Orchestra.
Personnel: Frieda Lee (vocals); Doug Stone (tenor saxophone); Bill Walsh (bass trombone).
Recording information: Fitzgerald's, Berwyn, IL (02/10/2008).
Authors: Scott Wager; John Burnett; Louie Bellson; Peter Appleyard; Randy Sandke ; Buddy DeFranco.
Photographer: Richard Malec.
Born in Great Britain, John Burnett established himself in his country's big-band scene before relocating to the USA, settling in Chicago. With a music-rich city to draw upon for players, in 1999 Burnett established his own big band to pay tribute to the sounds of the 1940s. Like Duke Ellington, Burnett envisioned a band that would appeal to both dancers and listeners. With WEST OF STATE, the ratio leans a bit more to the side favoring the dancers--it's a collection of highly melodic, thoroughly swinging, unashamedly nostalgic tunes of the Swing Era (though they do cover Dizzy Gillespie's bebop classic "Night In Tunisia"). Featured as a guest soloist is the traditionally oriented ace trumpeter Randy Sandke.
Professional Reviews
JazzTimes (p.111) - "Ensemble sound is consistently strong and vividly engineered. Altoist Nick Mazarella is the most consistent soloist in the brash sax section, nicely counterbalancing Mark Burnell's light Basie-ish touch at the keyboard."
