This is the fifth release by the Ira B. Liss Big Band, which has been based in southern California for the past four decades. To the plethora of soloists he usually has at his disposal the leader has added guest stars Eric Marienthal, Bob Mintzer and Holly Hofmann to bring a little extra magic to charts by Tom Kubis, Mike Abene, Mike Crotty and Peter Herbolzheimer.

Leading a big band dedicated to a “new” big band tradition, Ira B. Liss leads a collection of hard hitting So Cals including Bob Mintzer/ts, Eric Marienthal/as, Holly Hoffman/fl and Dean Brown/g.

...This is, plain and simple, a gathering of first rate players soaring on fresh, stimulating, and often challenging arrangements.

...The wide array of material makes this a rather unique performance.

Right out of the gate, this big band races into the sound space with the fastest renditions of "You Don't Know What Love Is" that I've ever heard. It was an exciting production with arrangements full of ebullition.

This latest release from the San Diego Big Band, Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine sounds like fun.