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University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band: Lab 2013
ByEach of the songs was composed and / or arranged by students or faculty members, all of them with Denton in mind. Wiest wrote "Denton Standard Time," former director Neil Slater "Will or Would?," which he says is "a disguised variation of [his] home street address in Denton." Tenor saxophonist Aaron Hedenstrom furnished two songs, "Old West" and "Honeybee," complementing trumpeter Keith Karns' "Somewhere on the 33rd Parallel" and "The [town] Square" and trombonist Jenny Kellogg's graphic rush-hour "Traffic Jam." To reach Denton, one can apparently board Billy Strayhorn's venerable "A Train," whose buoyant ride from Harlem to deep in the heart of Texas has been carefully charted by faculty member Rich DeRosa. Rounding out the program is another standard, Herman Hupfeld's "As Time Goes By," whose tasteful arrangement by Drew Zaremba denotes Denton's transitory nature as a college town.
As this is the One O'Clock Band, the assumption is that awareness and musicianship will be exemplary, a theory that is borne out on every number. The ensemble is tight as a sailor's knot, the soloists generally diligent and resourceful. Hedenstrom solos neatly on "33rd Parallel" and (with tenor Nick Salvucci) on "Standard Time," Kellogg and Karns on "Parallel," alto Alex Fraile on "A Train," Salvucci and trumpeter Stuart Mack on "Will Or Would?," alto Devin Eddleman and trumpeter Preston Haining on "Traffic Jam." Pianist Addison Frei pleases twice, on "A Train" and "The Square." Baritone Spenser Liszt is handsomely showcased on "As Time Goes By," drummer Matt Young on "Honeybee." Young, Frei, guitarist Scott Neary and bassist Young Heo comprise an admirable rhythm section.
Analysis aside, all that needs to be known is that this is the One O'Clock Lab Band at its music-making best. Enough said.
Track Listing
Take the “A” Train; Old West; Somewhere on the 33rd Parallel; Denton Standard Time; As Time Goes By; Will or Would?; The Square; Honeybee; Traffic Jam.
Personnel
Steve Wiest: director; Chad Willis: trumpet; Robby Yarber: trumpet; Preston Haining: trumpet; Keith Karns: trumpet; Stuart Mack: trumpet; Devin Eddleman: alto sax; Alex Fraile: alto sax; Aaron Hedenstrom: tenor sax; Nick Salvucci: tenor sax; Spenser Liszt: baritone sax; Isaac Washam: trombone; Jenny Kellogg: trombone; Julie Gray: trombone; Jon Gauer: bass trombone; Sean Casey: bass trombone; Addison Frei: piano; Scott Neary: guitar; Young Heo: bass; Matt Young: drums.
Album information
Title: Lab 2013 | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Unt Jazz