Dan McMillion Jazz
Grammy Nominated
DISOGRAPHY - ALL CD REVIEWS FROM ALL ABOUT JAZZ .COM
HIGH OCTANE (2007)
From the moment you slip the disc into the CD player and let it play, you quickly realize there's no need to adjust the volume as the music soars from Dan McMillion's high-pitched trumpet, reminiscent of the late, great trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. In fact, High Octane is dedicated to the memory of the late master of which McMillion was an ardent admirer and disciple. The title of the album could not be more apropos, for the music thunders throughout the entire session. The seventeen-piece Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra opens up with a burner on Glenn Kostur's fast moving "Get It To Go, serving notice that you're in for one swinging ride. The second track—a Maynard Ferguson composition showcasing the leader on "Latino Love Walk —comes across like a sensational Spanish Bolero. Also featuring Tom Dietz on a fine alto solo, it is perhaps the best cut here.
The band swings on in a powerful rendition of Billy Strayhorn's "Take The 'A' Train, with McMillion's loud trumpet and a tasteful trombone journey from Keith Oshiro. It only gets better on "Another Star, highlighting the drumming talents of Glen Bush in combination with a fine soprano solo from David Moss.
The orchestra's rendition of Miles Davis' "Four is a terrific big band arrangement from Keith Bishop, where the music swings and rattles your cage as saxophonist Moss delivers one of the best tenor solos on the album. The classic Dizzy Gillespie chart "A Night In Tunisia sizzles and gyrates, with salvos from several band members following the leader's high-pitched blowing.
"Hey There is, finally, one of the softer and subdued scores here with plenty of sharp horn play from McMillion, who dominates the entire track. The album finishes with trombonist Steve Wiest's "South 21st Street Shuffle, featuring the burly baritone play of Dalton Hagler in a finale where the group succeeds in making one last statement exclaiming that what you just heard is, indeed, High Octane.
This is one thriller of an album containing swing, swagger and plenty of heat. A piece of advice, turn down the volume as you listen to this recording or the Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra will definitely blow you away with its performance.
Track Listing: Get It To Go; Latino Love Walk; Dancing Nightly; Danny Boy; Take The "A" Train; Another Star; Four; Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me; A Night In Tunisia; Hey There; South 21st Street Shuffle.
Personnel: Dan McMillion: trumpet, flugelhorn, mellophonium; Chad Shoopman: lead trumpet; Jim Derrick: trumpet; John Depaola: trumpet; Wayne Daughtry: trumpet; Elton Reyes: trumpet (3); Keith Oshiro: lead trombone, baritone horn; Dave Stamps: trombone; Chris Lundquist: bass trombone; Tom Dietz: alto sax, flute; Jennifer Mazziotti: alto sax; David Moss: tenor sax, soprano sax; Dalton Hagler: baritone sax; Richard Drexler: piano; Joe Porter: bass; Glen Bush: drums; Gumbi Ortiz: Latin percussion.
Record Label: Sea Breeze Jazz
NICE N' JUICY (2009)
For over a decade, brass master Dan McMillion, an alumnus of the Woody Herman and Buddy Rich ensembles, has been maintaining the legacy of Maynard Ferguson to a very high standard in the Central Florida region, winning a Grammy nomination for Up Your Brass (Sea Breeze, 2002). This sixth release—dedicated to the memory of McMillion's wife Lillian, who passed away earlier this year—continues in this vein, with McMillion fronting a fifteen-piece band consisting of some of the finest musical talents in the Tampa area. The Ferguson repertoire represented here spans half a century, from Willie Maiden's 1957 chart of "My Funny Valentine" to Denis DiBlasio's "Surviving Soho" and "Vita Bella," both of which appeared on Ferguson's final recording, The One and Only Maynard Ferguson(Maynard Ferguson Music, 2006). "MacArthur Park" and "Hey Jude" are both adapted from arrangements by bass trombonist Adrian Drover for Ferguson's celebrated early-1970s British ensemble, while the title track was composed by Jeff Steinberg (who later contributed "Gospel John" to the Ferguson library) for the LP M. F. Horn Three (CBS/Columbia, 1973). The latter three tracks all present Richard Drexler re-creating the Fender Rhodes artistry of the late London-born keyboardist Pete Jackson.
McMillion also salutes his ex-bosses Rich and Herman with two classics from their respective libraries. Glen Bush's drums spearhead Pete Myers' chart of the Cole Porter standard "Love for Sale," which was a Rich stalwart, with solo appearances by altoist David Moss and trumpeter John Robinson. Originally recorded by the Second Herman Herd as "That's Right" in 1949, Shorty Rogers' "Blues Express" was re-grooved by Rogers' own Hollywood-based big band (with Ferguson on the altissimo trumpet parts) seven years later on the LP The Big Shorty Rogers Express (RCA, 1956), and the current version spotlights pianist Drexler (also a Herman alumnus), trumpeter Matt McCarthy, trombonist and Ferguson veteran Keith Oshiro, in addition to altoist Moss and McMillion on both trumpet and valve trombone.
Last but not least, McMillion and company offer their tribute to the late pop icon Michael Jackson with Wayne Beardwood's arrangement of the title track from the superstar's multi-platinum 1983 album and subsequent video, with sterling solos from Oshiro, Moss (this time on soprano), and the leader. Nice N' Juicy represents one more outstanding gem from this Florida-based bandleader.
Track Listing: MacArthur Park; Nice N'Juicy; Love for Sale; Thriller; My Funny Valentine; Surviving Soho; Blues Express; Lush Life; Hey Jude; Vita Bella.
Personnel: Dan McMillion: leader, trumpet, fluegelhorn, valve trombone; Chad Shoopman: trumpet, fluegelhorn; John Robinson: trumpet, fluegelhorn Elton Reyes: trumpet, fluegelhorn; Matt McCarthy: trumpet, fluegelhorn David Moss: alto sax, soprano sax, flute; Chris Dyle: alto sax; Bobby DeAngelis: tenor sax; Matt Gawlik: baritone sax; Keith Oshiro: trombone; Chris Clifton: trombone; Luis Alvarez: trombone; Chris Lundquist: bass trombone; Richard Drexler: keyboards; Joe Porter: bass; Glen Bush: drums.
Record Label: Sea Breeze Jazz
GIVE IT ONE (2004J
Soaring high above his powerful big band, trumpeter Dan McMillion thrills his audience with contemporary action and a hard-hitting wallop. His title track, a burner written by Maynard Ferguson with Alan Downey, drives the band exuberantly in a fit of passion. The band puts goose bumps on your arms and sets your feet and hands in rhythmic motion, as McMillion pours it on forcefully. Ballads and up-tempo romps give the program variety. The leader's powerful trumpet solos reach sky-high and deliver a convincing blow. He shares the solo spotlight with a number of creative artists, including baritone saxophonist Dalton Hagler, tenor saxophonist Mark Gould, trombonist Keith Oshiro, pianist Chris Rottmayer, and alto saxophonist Tom Dietz. Proud big band arrangements by Frank Mantooth, Don Sebesky, Bill Holman and others give the program a majestic quality. Million's full trumpet tone gives ballads such as Cole Porter's "So in Love" and John Coltrane's "Naima" a convincing aura. His upper register fireworks explode brilliantly on burners such as "Birdland" and "Watermelon Man." Maynard Ferguson's bluesy ballad, "Footpath Café," gives him the opportunity to open up and show off his best quality: a veteran's grasp of the blues and a heartfelt manner of interpreting the music. If you liked Maynard Ferguson in his prime, you'll fall in love with Dan McMillion's Give it One.
Track Listing: Just Friends; Give It One; Bridge Over Troubled Water; Coconut Champaign; Fan It Janet; So in Love; Birdland; Footpath Caf
Personnel: Dan McMillion, Chad Shoopman, Brian Scanlon, Jim Derrick, Mike Iapichino, Alan Stegeman- trumpet, flugelhorn; Keith Oshiro, Matt Buckmaster, Chris Clifton- trombone, Jason Smith- trombone; Jim Hall- bass trombone; Tom Dietz- alto saxophone, flute; Wayne Beardwood- alto saxophone; Mark Gould, Tim Stamps- tenor saxophone; Dalton Hagler- baritone saxophone; Chris Rottmayer- piano, keyboards; Joe Porter- double bass, electric bass; Glen Bush- drums, Latin percussion.
Record Label: Sea Breeze Jazz
UP YOUR BRASS (2002)
Sound the trumpets! Dan McMillion’s explosive Florida–based Jazz Orchestra is back with another colorful scrapbook of straight–ahead big–band Jazz sketched in the image of his main men, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and Woody Herman (if one must have role models he may as well choose the best). McMillion’s Maynard–like high–note trumpet, which produces sparks throughout the album, is showcased most prominently on four songs from the Ferguson library, “Spirit of St. Frederick,” “Maria,” “People” and “Gonna Fly Now” (a.k.a. “Theme from Rocky ”), Butch Evans’ swaggering “Change Up,” Matt Harris’ funky “Last Dive” and Alfred Jamester’s gospel–centered crowd–pleaser, “The Chicken.” Those are highlights but by no means the only ones. McMillion and his colleagues are similarly impressive on Shorty Rogers’ good–natured “Saturnian Sleigh Ride,” Herbie Hancock’s melodious “Dolphin Dance,” Tom Garling’s snappy “You Got It,” John Fedchock’s upbeat “Blues for Red,” Tadd Dameron’s Bop classic, “Hot House,” and last but not least, Lennon / McCartney’s “Norwegian Wood,” arranged for the Buddy Rich Orchestra by the great Bill Holman. The ensemble is solidly in the pocket, as is the orchestra’s aggressive rhythm section, ably governed by drummer Gerald Myles. While composers and arrangers are named on the tray card, soloists aren’t, so the best we can offer are educated guesses. Some, of course, are obvious — pianist Richard Drexler (who surely must be one of Florida’s best) on “Change Up,” “Dolphin Dance,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Last Dive” and the grooving introduction to “Blues for Red,” soprano Tom Dietz on “Dolphin Dance,” flutist Valerie Gillespie on “Maria,” bassist Chris Queenan on “Red,” drummer Myles on “Change Up,” he and guitarist Peter Mongaya Hagsholm on “Gonna Fly Now.” That could be trombonist Keith Oshiro (or Marius Dicpetris?) on “You Got It” and “Sleigh Ride,” and if we’re not mistaken that’s McMillion’s valve trombone on “Norwegian Wood” and his flugel on “Sleigh Ride.” Each of the tenors (Dietz, Mike McArthur) solos but we can’t say who’s who, while the alto solos are by Gillespie, Mike Gibilisco or both. Up Your Brass (don’t you just adore that classy title?) is the fourth album we’ve heard by McMillion’s well–built Jazz Orchestra, and as before, the bar is set exceedingly high — heeding the example of his celebrated mentors, McMillion wouldn’t have it any other way. Luckily, he is able to call on battle–ready troops to carry out his marching orders and record yet another well–earned triumph.
Contact: Sea Breeze Records, P.O. Box 1910, Pismo Beach, CA 93448–1910. Phone 818–489–2055.
Web site: www.seabreezejazz.com .
Track Listing: You Got It; Spirit of St. Frederick; Norwegian Wood; Maria; Change Up; Dolphin Dance; Saturnian Sleigh Ride; People; Last Dive; Blues for Red; The Chicken; Hot House; Gonna Fly Now (theme from Rocky) (69:36).
Personnel: Dan McMillion, leader, trumpet, flugelhorn, valve trombone; Chad Shoopman, John Robinson, Andy Reese, Matt White, Wayne Doughtry (2, 4), trumpet, flugelhorn; Keith Oshiro, Chris Price, Marius Dicpetris, Bob Medlin, trombone; Valerie Gillespie, alto sax, flute; Mike Gibilisco, alto sax; Mike McArthur, tenor sax; Tom Dietz, tenor, alto, soprano sax; Butch Evans, baritone sax; Richard Drexler, piano; Peter Mongaya Hagsholm (4, 11, 13), guitar; Chris Queenan, acoustic, electric bass; Gerald Myles, drums; Nemil Chabeebe (4, 11, 13), Latin percussion.
Record Label: Sea Breeze Jazz
GOT THE SPRIT - GRAMMY NOMINATED 2002
Remember those electrifying big bands of 40 or so years ago presided over by peerless high–note trumpeter Maynard Ferguson? Thought you’d heard the last of them? Wrong! The remarkable MF sound lives on, thanks to another outstanding trumpeter, Dan McMillion, and his brawny Florida–based Jazz Orchestra, who’ve definitely got the “Maynard Ferguson spirit” on this, their third album (and first for Sea Breeze Records). McMillion makes no secret of the fact that Maynard is his trumpet–playing hero and role model and has patterned his orchestra after Ferguson’s, whose roaring brass section was in turn inspired by his years as a sideman with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. “Got the Spirit” was written by ex–MF trombonist Slide Hampton, “Knarf” by another one–time Ferguson stalwart, pianist Mike Abene, and McMillion reprises a pair of Maynard’s spectacular showcases, Bobby Troup’s “The Meaning of the Blues” (on which he plays flugel) and Bob Haggart / Johnny Burke’s “What’s New.” McMillion solos on every number except Herb Ellis’s “Country Boy,” and (again emulating MF) plays superbone on “The Lamp Is Low.” The sparkling opener, “Groove,” was composed and arranged by Oliver Nelson, the funky “Closing Time at the Engine Room Bar” by Butch Evans. Bill Matthieu arranged “The Meaning of the Blues,” Dave Wolpe “What’s New,” Bill Holman “A Country Boy,” Ernie Wilkins “The Lamp Is Low.” The other well–crafted charts are by Wolpe (“Just Friends”), John Fedchock (“It Don’t Mean a Thing”) and Sammy Nestico (Benny Golson’s “I Remember Clifford”). The band skips easily through each of them, sounding, as it should, much like a latter–day incarnation of those MF–led mammoths that roamed the earth so many years ago. The enterprising soloists, besides McMillion, are pianist Richard Drexler, tenor Kim Bock and trombonist Keith Oshiro (“Just Friends”); tenor Jeff Jordan (“Got the Spirit,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “Closing Time,” “Blues,” “Country Boy”); baritone Valerie Gillespie (“Knarf”); Oshiro and Drexler (“It Don’t Mean a Thing”); bassist Joe Porter (“Closing Time”); Drexler again (“The Lamp Is Low“) and tombonist Roger Delillo (“Closing Time,” “Country Boy”). Got the Spirit is much more than a nostaligic stroll down memory lane, but if you’re a Maynard Ferguson enthusiast, you’ll surely be pleased by Dan McMillion’s “MF Nouveau.”
Contact:Sea Breeze Records, 818–242–2093; www.seabreezerecords.com
Track Listing: Groove; Just Friends; Got the Spirit; Knarf; It Don't Mean a Thing, Closing Time at The Engine Room Bar,
The Meaning of The Blues, A Country Boy, I Remember Clifford, The Lamp is Low, What's New
Personnel: Dan McMillion, leader, trumpet, flugelhorn, superbone; Chad Shoopman, John Lombard, Andy Reese, Cameron Perett, trumpet; Roger Delillo, Keith Oshiro, Chris Price, Jim Hall, trombone; Valerie Gillespie, Jeff Hall, alto sax; Jeff Jordan, Kim Bock, tenor sax; Butch Evans, baritone sax; Richard Drexler, piano; Joe Porter, bass; Chuck Parr, drums, Latin percussion.
Record Label: Sea Breeze Jazz
FIRESHAKER (2001)
Dan's fifth album & third on CD. Get It To Go, Brazil, Work Song, MacArthur Park, Fireshaker, My Funny Valentine, Sugar, A Night In Tunisia, Cruisin', For A Bluesin' Spring Is Here, Perdido, Born To Be Blue, Stay Loose With Bruce, Take The A Train, Blue Birdland !
BLOWN AWAY (1999)
Dan's band of 6 perform: Sandancin', Long Road Home, Until the End of Time, Ybor, Blown Away, I'd Do it All Again, Hear No Evil, Soulbaby, Ancient Samba, Ballad for Boo.
Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra LIVE AND IN CONCERT ! with
The Four Freshman
Dan's Tribute to Maynard Ferguson at
Carrollwood Cultural Center in Tampa, Florida
LATE NIGHT WITH DAN MCMILLION
Acoustic Bass – Joe Porter (4)
Alto Saxophone – Jennifer Mazziotti
Alto Saxophone [Lead], Flute, Baritone Saxophone – Valerie Gillespie
Baritone Saxophone – Don Gallahue
Drums – Tom Kramer (7)
Electric Bass – Billy Pillicueri
Engineer, Mixed By – Jim Morris
Graphics, Design – Scott Howard (4)
Leader, Trumpet, Trombone [Superbone] – Dan McMillion
Liner Notes – Vic Hall
Music Librarian – Lillian McMillion
Percussion [Latin] – Ed Paglioso
Photography By [Cover] – Lillian McMillion
Photography By [Inside Photos] – Robert Lawson (2)
Photography By [Session Photos] – Vic Hall
Piano – John Slate (3)
Producer – Dan McMillion
Tenor Saxophone – Bobby De Angelis, David Moss (7), Jeff Hall (7) (tracks: 7 to 9)
Trombone – Bob Medlin, Chris Price (15), David Hook (2) (tracks: 7 to 9), Jim Hall (12)
Trombone [Lead] – Keith Oshiro
Trumpet – Bryan Scanlin* (tracks: 7 to 9), Dean Mosley (tracks: 7 to 9), Jim Earp (2), John Lombard, Manuel Suarez (2)
Trumpet [Lead] – John Robinson (23)
Notes
Recorded July 28 & August 18, 28, 1998 at Morrisound Studio, Tampa, FL.
