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Chris Walden Big Band: Winter Games
ByIn a followup to his 2005 Grammy-nominated Home of My Heart (for best large ensemble album), Walden has taken his Los Angeles-based big band into new territory by recording the just-released Winter Games. The album contains only two tracks of the same theme music; track two is an edited version shortened by 41 seconds for radio. The first track is the complete version of the theme "Winter Games" that is bold and brassy with a splendid solo from Brandon Fields on tenor.
To make this seven-minute disc, Walden brought together some very accomplished musicians, all veterans of the West Coast big band scene. Included are such top-notch players as reedist s Kim Richmond and Tom Peterson, trumpeters Wayne Bergeron and Ron King, and trombonists Bob McChesney and Andy Martin. These are but only a few of the notables who comprise his LA big band. While not offering an array of musical selections that one would expect from a large ensemble recording, Walden keeps the embers burning just enough to feel the warmth that melts the snow on this limited edition recording.
Track Listing
Winter Games (full version); Winter Games (radio edit).
Personnel
Chris Walden
arrangerChris Walden: conductor; Jeff Driskill, Kim Richmond, Rob Lockhart, Brandon Fields, Tom Peterson: saxophone; Wayne Bergeron, Kye Palmer, Ron King, Kevin Richardson: trumpets; Bob McChesney, Andy Martin, Arturo Velasco, Rich Bullock: trombones; Brian Monroney; Alan Steinberger: piano; Kevin Wild: bass; Ray Brinker: drums.
Album information
Title: Winter Games | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Origin Records