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Veteran Arranger And Multi-Instrumentalist Jim Waller Releases His Debut Big Band Album, Bucket List JIM WALLER BIG BAND “BUCKET LIST” featuring Jacqueline Sotelo with special guest Will Kennedy (Self-Produced) Artist Website:www.jimwallerbigband.hearnow.com Release Date: August 28, 2020 UPC Code: 0514972-3221 Track listing 1. Samba For Suzell (Jim Waller) 4:54 2. I Love Being Here With You (Peggy Lee, William Schluger) 4:10 3. New Blue Funk (Jim Waller) 4:57 4. Blues For Los Blues (Jim Waller) 4:01 5. Georgia on My Mind (Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell) 4:39 6. Waltz For Laura (Jim Waller) 4:09 7. Rhapsody In Blue (George Gershwin) 7:07 8. Why Don’t You Do Right (Joe McCoy, Lillian Green) 3:43 9. Funksuite 109 (Jim Waller) 6:15 10. A Ballad For Bob (Jim Waller) 4:46 11. Goody Goody (Matty Melneck, Johnny Mercer) 3:05 12. Honky Tonk (Billy Butler, Bill Doggett, Clifford Scott, Shep Shepherd) 4:50 13. God Bless The Child (Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Jr.) 6:22 14. This Is It (Jim Waller) 5:25 TOTAL TRACK TIME: 1 hour, 9 minutes Musicians: Bill King - lead alto saxophone, flute, Karlos Elizondo - lead trumpet, Jaime Parker - lead trombone, Brian Christensen - alto saxophone, flute, Dr. Adrian Ruiz - trumpet, Gilbert Garza - trombone, Adam Carrillo - tenor saxophone, Al Gomez - trumpet, Mark Hill - trombone, Jason Galbraith - tenor saxophone, Curtis Calderon - trumpet, Matthew Erickson - bass trombone, Matthew Maldonado - tenor saxophone, Lee Sparky Thomason - turmpet, Dr. Martin McCain, bass trombone, Dr. Joey Colarusso - baritone saxophone, Jason Valdez, electric guitar, Jim Waller - tenor and soprano saxophone, Hammond XK-5 organ, Georgie Padilla - congas and percussion (Samba For Suzell, God Bless The Child), Chris Villanueva - piano, Jacqueline Sotelo - vocals, Joe Caploe - timpani (Rhapsody in Blue), Jim Kalson - electric bass, Andy Langham - piano (A Ballad For Bob), Libby Barnette - French horn (Rhapsody in Blue), Will Kennedy - drums. String Section (Rhapsody in Blue): Anastasia Parker, Concertmaster, Dr. Stephanie Westney, violin, Eric Siu - violin, Yang Guo - viola, David Wang - viola, Ken Freudigman - cello Jim Waller has had a very busy career as a multi-instrumentalist (tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, trombone, organ, piano, and guitar), freelance arranger, record producer, and educator. However one important musical goal has long been on his bucket list: recording a big band album. Bucket List is the realization of that goal as Jim Waller not only leads a 21-piece big band but provides all of the arrangements, 7 of the 14 compositions, and many rewarding tenor-sax solos, also making contributions on soprano and organ. The supporting cast is bolstered by the drumming of Will Kennedy (famous for his playing with the Yellowjackets) and the singing of Jacqueline Sotelo who stars on five standards. Bucket List contains its share of variety with swinging numbers, funky vamps, shuffles, and Latin rhythms. The set begins with the infectious “Samba For Suzell, ” a catchy Latin-flavored original with excellent tenor, piano and drum solos. Jacqueline Sotelo is showcased on five swinging standards including two Peggy Lee-associated numbers recorded just in time for her centennial (“I Love Being Here With You” and “Why Don’t You Do Right”), a very soulful performance of “Georgia On My Mind, ” and a surprise-filled rendition of “God Bless The Child.” “New Blue Funk” (which includes a fine flute solo from Bill King) displays the funkier side of the orchestra while the straight ahead “Blues For Los Blues” gives the ensemble an opportunity to swing hard. Of the other colorful pieces, the uptempo “Waltz For Laura” inspires inventive solos from Waller and trumpeter Lee Sparky Thomason. “Rhapsody In Blue” gets a fresh reworking, exploring several moods while building up to a triumphant conclusion. Waller switches to organ for his “Funksuite 109” and is showcased on tenor on the memorable “A Ballad For Bob.” “Honky Tonk” is most notable for its creative guitar solo by Jason Valdez while the closing “This Is It” is a hard-driving piece with worthy spots for Waller on soprano and trumpeter Curtis Calderon. Born in Santa Barbara, Jim Waller began playing music at an early age, mastering several instruments. He attended Fresno State College and formed the successful surf group The Deltas which recorded two albums in the 1960s. He was an important member of the groundbreaking jazz-rock octet Los Blues that played regularly for nearly six years (1967–73) in Las Vegas, recording Los Blues Volume One which was arranged and produced by Waller for United Artists Records. In 1977 he moved to San Antonio where he was a member of the group Road Apple. Since then Waller has worked with a large assortment of major names including Marvin Gaye, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Bill Watrous, Cat Anderson, Richie Cole, Paul Gonsalves and Pete Fountai n. In addition to being a freelance arranger and an influential educator, Jim Waller owns and operates Digital Image Recording Studio where he has produced a countless number of CDs and jingles. Now with the release of the very enjoyable Bucket List, the title of big band leader can be added to the long list of Jim Waller’s accomplishments. |
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