Trombonist/arranger
John Fedchock, who was formerly with
Woody Herman, has led his own big band in New York since the early '90s. His music always swings and, although conventional (falling into the hard bop idiom), his arrangements are colorful and creative within the style. Unlike many arranger/musicians who work with big bands,
Fedchock is not overly shy about featuring himself, which is a good thing, for he is a skillful trombone soloist in the
Slide Hampton/
J.J. Johnson tradition. He sounds particularly strong on
Freddie Hubbard's "Eclipse,"
Oscar Pettiford's "Tricotism," and his own "Blue After Two."
Fedchock draws on the talents of some of the top New York area jazz musicians, several of whom are rarely heard in big bands. Falling into the latter category are tenor saxophonists
Rich Perry and
Rick Margitza, altoists Mark Vinci and
Charles Pillow, trumpeter
Scott Wendholt, pianist Allen Farnham, and bassist
Lynn Seaton. Other key musicians include baritonist
Scott Robinson, trumpeter
Barry Ries, and drummer Dave Ratajczak, although all of the musicians in the 17-piece band are excellent. When it comes to modern swinging large-ensemble jazz,
John Fedchock's New York Big Band ranks near the top. ~ Scott Yanow