Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine: Mazel Tov Kocktail!

by George W. Harris • April 1, 2021
Veteran Big Band leader Ira B. Liss puts together a hard swinging album with his 23+ member team along with some fun guests. The horns sections punch with a wallop on pieces like “Gimme That” and West Wings” as well as featuring some hip solo-ing by tenor saxist Andrew Neu, trumpeter Mike Vax and vibist Matt Dibiasi. Drummer Charlie McGhee gives a big beat for guitarist Melanie Medina on “Springtime” and the teams gets modal for pianist Steve Sibley on “Keys to the City.” Bass star Nathan East sits in for a fun “Bass: The Final Frontier” and the title pieces has clarinetist April Leslie and accordionist Dan Radlauer in a klezmer mood. Carly Ines brings some nice to Clifford Brown’s classic “Joy Spring” and Janet Hammer is warm and dramatic on a latinized “Where Or When”. A real toe tapper.