Music Man Blog: CD Review: Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine, "Mazel Tov Kocktail"

The Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine has been performing since 1979 under the guidance of Producer/Conductor and Artistic Director, Ira Liss. The current group of players in this Band are some of the top names in Jazz and have been joined from time to time by Bob Mintzer, Barbara Morrison, Wayne Bergeron, Holly Hofmann and Eric Marienthal. There are also some really special guests that have joined the Band to contribute to this wonderful Big Band CD: Nathan East on Bass, Andrew Neu on Tenor Sax, Dan Radlauer on Accordion and Mike Vax on Trumpet. The Band has two great big band Vocalists, Janet Hammer and Carly Ines. This is the Band's 6th recording release and it is packed with new compositions and new arrangements of standards. Ira states, "The Band is the sum of its parts, and every chair is important. Big Bands need a creative vision to push the music forward, and I like a lot of variety". Ira delivers on his promise, "Mazel Tov Kocktail" delivers everything any big band fan would be looking for. The sound is always tight, the Arrangements are fresh and new and the execution by the seasoned members of this Band is perfect.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for you to sample.  The first is an up-tempo version of the evergreen "Where or When" that features  Janet Hammer on the Vocal.  This standard was given new life by the Arranger, George Stone.  

The second video is a swinging tune, "Gimme That"  Composed and Arranged by special guess, Andrew Neu.  Andrew also plays an outstanding Tenor Sax solo on this song.  I know you will enjoy these cuts!    

PLAYERS:

PLAYLIST:

1. Gimme That

2. High Wire

3. Key To The City

4. Love You Madly

5. Bass: The Final Frontier

6. You'd Better Love Me While You May

7. Mazel Tov Kocktail

8. I Wish You Love

9. Springtime

10. Joy Spring

11. West Wings

12. Where Or When