The BigBand: noun - a group of 18 jazz musicians who come together to play in a cohesive and effortless manner with an emphasis on “swinging”! From my earliest days I’ve been intrigued by the sound of a big band. The memories of my youth include listening to big band recordings with my dad after he came home from his factory job, seeing the Kenton Mellophonium band in concert at age 11, catching the Herman, Basie, Ellington, Zentner and James bands at dances in my teens, and hearing my first chart at North Texas State University (UNT) in 1969. The sound of a big band has stayed with me throughout my writing career and the best part is hearing a swinging band of professionals play your music live in the studio. As you listen to the recording you’ll realize “this” band came to play! During two sessions, two years apart (we only had two subs), they captured the sound I’ve come to know and love. On to the music: Samba ti Kaye - commissioned by Chuck Wackerman and Los Alamitos High School, Los Alamitos, CA. My latest attempt in a quest to write a good samba which started with the Kenton band in the 70’s. Great solos by Andy Axelrad and Graham Breedlove and a roaring shout chorus held together with a great rhythmic feel. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - This tune began as a combo version for an Elton John book for the Hal Leonard Jazz Play-Along series and I thought it would make a nice one for the band. Wonderful ensemble playing and solos by Tedd Baker and Jay Gibble. Classic brush work by Todd Harrison and check out the “Freddie” guitar by Jim Roberts! Blue Monk - Picture standing on the corner in New Orleans and all of a sudden you hear a parade band second lining down the street playing Monk? Then they stop and face you and roar through a chart full of Monkisms with solos by Matt Niess and Graham Breedlove with Todd Harrison driving the bus. At the end the parade moves on down the street and fades into the distance. Now that was a little outrageous! The band really got into this one, go figure! Love Matters the Most - I wrote this between the sessions after a major medical scare that thankfully turned out ok. Dedicated to my lovely wife of 45 years Evie and beautifully played by my good friend John DeSalme. What a sound! All the Things You Are - I brought back this chart written in the 80’s to feature our lead alto player Marty Nau. Some classic choruses by Marty and also a great solo by Paul Henry. Check out the sax soli which leads to a roaring shout chorus. That’s Brian MacDonald on lead trumpet! Children of the Night - I remember playing this tune in college and was thrilled when Ken Ragland of West Mesquite High School in Dallas asked me to arrange it. Solos by Grant Langford, Tony Nalker and Craig Fraedrich. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some killer drums throughout from Todd Harrison. I’ve always loved drummers who surprise me and Todd certainly fills that bill! My Funny Valentine - When I was considering this tune for the cd I thought of my good friends Delores and Tom from our military days. They’re currently members of the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra and I’m thrilled they were able to contribute this classy performance! To the Edge - The title cut was written to clear my ears after writing six versions of the latest pop tune during my military days. Needless to say I seem to have strayed from my usual fare and hope you can connect with it - the band sure seemed to! Some great solos by Tony Nalker, Jim Roberts, Dave Brown, and Paul Henry. Giant Steps - Commissioned by Keith Johnson of the Jazz School Studio Band in Berkeley, California. Believe it or not this is a first take in the studio! I love how the band sounds like they’re on the edge of their seats. Smokin‘ solos by Jim McFalls, Tedd Baker and of course Todd Harrison on drums! Love Beams - My wife Evie’s favorite tune of mine written at NTSU almost 40 years ago. Still works in today’s world especially with a wonderful acoustic guitar solo by my good friend Jim Roberts! One by One - Another Wayne Shorter tune that Ken Ragland turned me on to. Some great ensemble playing and of course swinging solos by Marty Nau and Craig Fraedrich. Another Great Day - Sneaking in a 60's funk tune is only possible when you havea great rhythm section like this one.These cats can make anything feel good. Check out the tight horn section and solo by Andy Axelrad! Bone Talk - When in doubt always go out with a shuffle! I remember hearing the Ellington band go out with a 20 minute shuffle when I was a kid. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that much time but this one sure takes us home! Featuring the trombone section and some crazy solos by Matt Niess, Jay Gibble and Jen Krupa. Written for my friend the late John Bradley from Augusta State University, Augusta, Georgia. I listen to this recording and it makes me smile! Can' t do better than that! MT The BigBand Special Guests Delores King/Williams-vocal Tom Williams-Flugelhorn Saxophones/Woodwinds Marty Nau Andy Axelrad Tedd Baker Grant Langford John Desalme Dave Brown Trumpets/Flugelhorns Brian MacDonald Liesl Whitaker Chris Walker Craig Fraedrich Graham Breedlove Trombones Matt Niess Jim McFalls Jay Gibble Jen Krupa Jeff Cortazzo Rhythm Tony Nalker-Piano Jim Roberts-Bass Paul Henry-Bass Todd Harrison-Drums The BigBand Credits Executive Producers: Gloria Dawson, Evie Taylor Producers: Mark Taylor, Bob Dawson, & Paul Murtha Recorded Sept. 9th, 2012 & Sept. 2, 2013 at Bias Studios, Springfield, Virginia Recorded and Mixed by Bob Dawson Mastered by Mike Monseur CD design and layout by Alayne Dunn All arrangements by Mark Taylor Mark Taylor’s music is available from your local music dealer or at www.halleonard.com To contact Mark: mtaylor783@aol.com Also check out Mark’s other Cd’s by The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band, “A Perfect Match” and “Live at Blues Alley”. Mark Taylor Bio In 2001 Mark retired as chief arranger for The United States Army Band ("Pershing's Own"), where he was on staff for 24 years. During that time, he composed extensively for the Army Blues, writing all of the material for their album A New Beginning and much of the material for Scream Machine. His arrangements and compositions have been performed by the US Army Blues throughout the world including concerts at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland. Prior to joining the Army, Mark was fortunate to write for Stan Kenton who recorded many of his compositions and also gave him his start in music publishing. He has a large publishing portfolio and has influenced thousands of student musicians, many of whom were first exposed to big band jazz through his music. Mark is the arranger and producer of the Hal Leonard Play-along Series which to date numbers over 175 books for young and experienced improvisors. He has produced and arranged 2 cd’s of his music with drummer Steve Fidyk. Their Taylor/Fidyk Big Band cd’s have been met with rave reviews. “Their CD is powerful, fresh, & honest…the playing is superlative and the writing is great. Mark Taylor, Steve Fidyk & company are indeed a “Perfect Match.” –Peter Erskine "The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band is a well-rehearsed, powerful big band. Mark Taylor's arrangements and Steve Fidyk's drumming spark excitement throughout the entire cd." -Louie Bellson His latest recording titled “To the Edge” -Mark Taylor & the BigBand explores Mark’s 45 year fascination with the sound of a big Band. 18 jazz musicians who come together to play in a cohesive and effortless manner with an emphasis on “swinging”! Available at cdbaby.com. Mark is a highly regarded clinician presenting many workshops on arranging for the jazz band and has served as conductor for many all-state jazz bands. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas with bachelors and master's degrees in music. Mark is currently a staff arranger for Hal Leonard Corporation and resides in Cape Coral, Florida