Dick Johnson
Star Dust & Beyond: A Tribute to Artie Shaw
© 2006 Somerled Charitable Foundation (700261205236)
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Dick Johnson’s Shaw Tribute a Clarinet Tour de Force - With Star Dust & Beyond, Johnson and this 17-piece band stake their claim to “Big Band Recording of the Year.”
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Although reedman and bandleader Dick Johnson has been around big bands for fifty years, it wasn’t until February of 2006 that he finally embarked on a full big band recording of his own. The result is Johnson’s latest CD release, Star Dust & Beyond: A Tribute to Artie Shaw, and it’s available now. With Star Dust & Beyond, Johnson and this 17-piece band stake their claim to “Big Band Recording of the Year.”
Johnson, whose career stretches back to the late 1940s, learned his craft in the bands of Charlie Spivak, Buddy Morrow and Herb Pomeroy. His small groups have recorded for Mercury, Riverside and Concord Jazz. He’s a mainstay of New England jazz, but today he might be best known as the leader of The Artie Shaw Orchestra, a position he’s held since 1983, when Shaw himself picked Dick to lead the reorganized band.
The spirit of the recording is embodied in its name. Star Dust & Beyond is Dick’s heartfelt tribute to Shaw, his lifelong musical inspiration. But if you’re thinking that this music will be just another trip down memory lane, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. There are 14 tunes here featuring fresh arrangements by Jay Brandford and Grammy winner Robert Freedman. The selections range from Shaw-era standards (“My Funny Valentine,” “I Concentrate on You,” “Star Dust”) to Johnson originals to a few numbers not often found in a big band’s book, like “Waltz for Debby” and “Fungii Mama.” This might be a tribute recording, but there is no doubt Johnson is his own man and the band has a personality all its own.
Dick Johnson’s clarinet is outstanding throughout, and the rest of the band shines as well. It includes Dave Chapman, Sil D’Urbano, Matt Koza, Ed Harlow, and Wendy Macdonald in the reed section; Jay Daly, Trent Austin, Phil Person, and Kerry MacKillop on trumpets; Doug Elliott, Chris Oberholtzer, Chris Dempsey, and Leslie Havens on trombones; and a rhythm section with Paul Odeh, piano; John Wheatley, guitar; Bronek Suchanek, bass; and Mark Holovnia, drums. Lou Colombo takes a star turn with the trumpet solo on “Star Dust.”
reviews
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star dust & beyond
author: francis de JONGeverything has been said by the previous rewievers, what could I add ? close your eyes, let the music flow,and enjoy . Is'nt that called happiness ?
This is SWING at its BEST!!
author: Helen SimonsAnother CD on my "A" list. Dick Johnson has this big band so finely tuned that Artie Shaw would be beaming! Johnson's clarinet solo's are stunning. The young soloist's take Johnson on with great respect to the music master. Our listeners can't get enough of this CD. Helen Simons Jazz Radio 94.1 Queensland, AUSTRALIA The JazzXpress Caravan (specialty show) www.myspace.com/jazzxpress
Stardust and Beyond
author: Douglas OvermanWe booked Dick Johnson and the Artie Shaw.Orch in 1987 and were absolutely delighted by the bands quality of musicianship and faithful reproduction of Shaws swing era arrangements and voicings.This record goes one better,it's a thoroughly up to date big band ,great arrangements and solo work and Stardust is worth the price of the record alone.The scoring of the Shaw solo for the reed section is imaginative and very effective.Great stuff and thank you Dick......Doug
See more rave reviews
author: Wendy MacdonaldMore reviews are available at www.SomerledCharitableFoundation.org
Excellent jazz clarinet , in a very fine big band setting .
author: Richard Good (Radio One 91 FM, NEW ZEALAND)A good choice of old and new material. In the former, goes far beyond a mere recreation of the classic era of jazz clarinet.
One of the finest jazz clarinetists of all time.
author: Graham TruscottI have been playing the clarinet, sometimes semi-pro, for over 60 years. I heard Dick with the Artie Shaw band with Artie conducting ... that was in San Diego in the early 80s. I thought then and still think now Dick is one of the finest jazz clarinetists of all time.
What a tribute Artie would be proud
author: Warren FosterThis CD is a must for all big band fans just fabulous.Great arrangments and musicians who are top class.Many thanks to everybody who made it all happen.A big band jazz fan.Keep swinging
fine arrangements, strong soloists and an appealing choice of tunes
author: Steve RobertsonI've been playing this superb CD on my radio show Jazz On Saturday in Melbourne, Australia. With fine arrangements, strong soloists and an appealing choice of tunes, it's been very popular with the very knowledgable Melbourne listenership (Artie came out here a couple of times and has a loyal following, including top clarinet players) and great to have on at home. Dick Johnson is the perfect man for the job of interpreting Artie's music. When I play more of this new CD on the show, I'll also include Dick's work with Swing Shift and with Dave McKenna, for a nice contrast.
best Big Band release I've heard for a very long time
author: Martin Wright - Radio 3ZZZ, AUSTRALIAA tribute to Artie Shaw? This is as good as anything I've heard from that master of the Big Band genre. To be expected I guess with the leadership of Dick Johnson who has always been a favourite but a lot of the other names I didn't know or only slightly have combined to make this a formidable outfit. The hours of practice and the years of experience show in what is the best Big Band release I have heard for a very long time.
Absolutely FANTASTIC!
author: David McCrory - 2NVR 105.9fm / 2bbb 93.3fm, AUSTRALIAWhat can I say after reading the reviews and listening to the disc - it has all been said. Absolutely FANTASTIC! It is a pity there is not more of this music around today.
Undoubtedly one of the finest recordings I have heard in years
author: John Reid - 102.8 FM, Banffshire, SCOTLANDThis is an oustanding recording and there could be no better tribute to the late Artie Shaw. Led by the highly talented Dick Johnson this superb group of Musicians have produced a selection of well known and lesser well known tracks, all of the highest quality, the entire recording is so well arranged and produced it is a treat to listen to. This is undoubtedly one of the finest recordings I have heard in years. Full marks to all concerned.
"Big Band Recording of the Year" at next year's Grammys
author: Stephen Fratallone (Jazz Connection Magazine)Some things are worth waiting for. Take clarinetist Dick Johnson, for instance. He's been affiliated with big bands for over 50 years, and for almost half those years he's been at the helm of the Artie Shaw Orchestra, hand-picked to do so by the late "King of the Clarinet" himself. It has just been recently that Johnson has managed to make a full big band recording under his own name. The result is Johnson's latest CD release, Star Dust & Beyond: A Tribute To Artie Shaw (Crazy Scot Records). Don't be surprised if Johnson and his 17-piece band take "Big Band Recording of the Year" honors at next year's Grammy Awards. Read the full review at: www.jazzconnectionmag.com/dick_johnson_and_his_orchestra_star_dust_&_beyond_cd.htm
...in every respect - production, sound and packaging - a first-class project...
author: Doug Ramsey (ArtsJournal.com/Rifftides)...an accomplished clarinetist...with seventeen top Boston-area sidemen and two sidewomen, splendid new arrangements by Robert Freedman and Jay Branford, and a vintage Sonny Burke chart, "Anniversary Song," from the 1940s Shaw book...high quality of soloing by all hands...produced as a labor of love by a small foundation, but in every respect--production, sound and packaging--it is a first-class project. It even departs from common album practice and identifies the musicians in the photographs. Read the full review at www.artsjournal.com/rifftides/archives/2007/03/martinlundgren.html
fresh performances...unique arrangements...tight cohesive section work
author: Robert RenyPlan to be thoroughly pleased when you hear this music...fresh performances...unique arrangements...tight cohesive section work...plenty of solo space...one of the better big band jazz releases in recent years...excellent liner notes by friend and fellow musician, saxophonist Bill Kirchner...A tip of the IAJRC hat to the Somerled Charitable Foundation for producing such a creative album, from musical content to sound quality to packaging. Highly recommended. (Excerpts from the review written for the International Association of Jazz Record Collectors Journal - IAJRC.org. The full review is available in PDF form - by kind permission of the IAJRC editor - at SomerledCharitableFoundation.org/Feedback.aspx)
For all who love clarinet and the big band, this album is for you.
author: Thomas W. Jacobsen - The Clarinet Magazine (March 2007)...a superbly swinging ensemble...outstanding individual soloists...big-band music at its finest...much more than Artie revisited. -- (The International Clarinet Association, www.clarinet.org)
...exciting big band combines energy and discipline...quality musicianship and i
author: Bill FalconerCrazy Scot Records' packaging matches the quality of the music. Incisive and complete (track by track) liner notes by musician/historian Bill Kirchner, and, thank goodness, no jewel case! Those of us who know Dick Johnson's music have waited a long time for his first big band recording. Listen to Star Dust & Beyond. You'll understand why. Read the full review at www.jazzreview.com/cd/review-18437.html
Dick Johnson once again rewards Shaw's faith in him
author: jim wardropOnce again, Dick John rewards the faith Artie Shaw placed in him to carry on the tradition. The arrangements are interesting updates without being gimmicky; Dick's playing is very impressive. Other clarinetists win polls-Dick goes on being THE MAN! Absolutely first-rate big band music, traditional and innovative at the same time. Get it!
A superb recording! Dick & Co. have hit a Grand Slam.
author: Todd BoltonDick Johnson is an outstanding musician who just gets better with age. His solo work here is incredible and his leadership with this fine group of musicians is obviously very inspiring. This is a wonderful offering that shouldn't be missed.
More than a stunning tribute to one of the greats!
author: Peter WallI was greatly, and pleasantly, surprised by this Artie Shaw tribute. Stunning was the first adjective that came to mind. The Big Band era has never really left my musical preferences, and I can honestly say this recording more than does justice to the Artie Shaw legend. This band deserves to live on in its own right. They'd be very welcome in the UK!
Artie would have been proud of this one. It makes my list of year's best, no que
author: Jacques EmondI listened to the Star Dust CD last night and was totally knocked out by it. What a great CD!! Artie would have been proud of this one. The arrangements are fabulous as is the playing and production. The repertoire is also tops. It makes my list of year's best, no question. Congratulations to all involved in this wonderful tribute.
It is gorgeous in every way...great charts and impeccable recordings.
author: Ted ThompsonI wanted to tell you that it is absolutely the most elegantly packaged recording I`ve ever seen. It is gorgeous in every way...great charts and impeccable recordings.
The production is exquisite...the arrangements are superb!
author: Phil SanbornCongratulations on a spectacularly wonderful recording. The production is exquisite with the sound of the band very clean and full. The arrangements are superb! Bob Freedman is very witty and subtle as he brings in licks from other big band standards then hits you with ensemble passages that are intricate yet really swing. The players you have on this recording are excellent. I am impressed by the section sounds of all the sections. The soloists are “spot on” and fit smartly into the style of each arrangement. And Dick... what a sound!, what high register!, what an overall extremely musical cat! He can play impossible passages and make them sound like he is not even thinking about breaking a sweat.