IRA B. LISS BIG BAND JAZZ MACHINE: MAZEL TOV KOCKTAIL!

"Mazel Tov Kocktail!", The latest recording of the Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine, is a swinging collection of new songs and classics. This band is well known in Southern California and was founded by Ira Liss in 1979. He is the producer, conductor, artistic director and jack of all trades at the band. Ira started out as a saxophonist and attended the University of San Diego. The band started out as a vehicle for students, but soon turned out to be good enough to perform in front of an audience. In 1994 their first album "First Impressions" was recorded. The band has 24 members, plus guest musicians. The music on this new (and sixth) project is varied, with six people taking care of the arrangements. Saxophonist Andrew Neu wrote the swinging opener "Gimme That" and plays it himself. "High Wire" is a song by Chick Corea, followed by "Keys to the City". "Love You Madly" is a sung cover of Duke Ellington, while guest bassist Nathan East is in charge on "Bass: The Final Frontier". "You'd Better Love Me While You May" is a sung classic, while the title track reminds me of a Turkish cafe. Then comes the cover "I Wish You Love", original by Charles Trenet, followed by "Springtime". "Joy Spring" is a cover of Clifford Brown's classic, followed by the original "West Wings". Closes with the classic "Where or When". A well-oiled group of musicians that will certainly appeal to fans of big band music!

Patrick Van de Wiele