V.S.O.P. #113 Eric Felten Meets The Dek-Tette

Herb Geller (Alto Sax); Med Flory (Tenor Sax); Tom Peterson (Bari Sax); Bob Findley (Trumpet); Jack Sheldon (Trumpet); Bob Enevoldsen (Valve Trombone); Rick Todd (French Hom); Les Benedict (Tuba); Chuck Berghofer (Bass); Gregg Field (Drums).

• Arranged and conducted by BRENT WALLARAB (01 and 05 arranged by SCOTT SlLBERT).
• Produced by ERIC FELTEN and IRA NEPUS.
• Executive Producer PETER JACOBSON.

   

• Recorded by ANDY WATERMAN at ENTOURAGE 5.1 Studios in West Hollywood September 6th, 2003.
• Mixed and Mastered by ALAN WONNEBERGER.

   

• Liner Notes: SCOTT YANOW.
• Cover Photos: TOM WOLFF.
• Design: MARIO LEVESQUE and PHILIP CHALK.

CONTACT: www.EricFelten.com

• You're Driving Me Crazy (Walter Donaldson) 2'39
• Pick Yourself Up (Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields) 4'53
• I Hadn't Anyone Till You (Ray Noble) 4'14
• I Could Write A Book (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) 3'15
• I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan (Arthur Schwartz, Howard Dietz) 3'06
• My Time of Day / I've Never Been in Love Before (Frank Loesser) 3'21
• Broadway (Bill Bird, Teddy McRae, Henri Woode) 3'12
• Gone With The Wind (Herb Magidson, Allie Wrubel) 3'40
• I'll Be Around (Alec Wilder) 5'00
• It's All Right With Me (Cole Porter) 5'15
• Where or When (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) 4'44
• I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) 3'51
• This Can't Be Love (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) 3'06

  Washington, D.C. based bandleader, trombonist and vocalist Eric Felten has assembled some of the finest West Coast jazz musicians to revive the unique sound that was originally produced by the pairing of Mel Torme with Marty Paich’s arrangements and ten-instrument ensemble. Eric Felten comes from a long tradition of musicians and is the leader of the Eric Felten Jazz Orchestra that was featured in the PBS special “The Big Band Sound of WW II. In college and fronting his orchestra he has exhibited his vocal talents in a broad range of contexts from baroque choir and opera to big band crooner and supper club/lounge singer. His previous jazz recordings as leader (performing on trombone) include a release with Joshua Redman and Jimmy Knepper, and one with Joe Lovano and Randy Brecker. For this release, in addition to Eric, the roster includes Herb Geller, Jack Sheldon, Med Flory, Bob Enevoldsen, Chuck Berghofer, Tom Peterson, Bob Findley, Rick Todd, Les Benedict and Gregg Field. The purpose of this recording is not to slavishly imitate the style of Mel Torme or even Marty Paich’s arrangements. It is a tribute with a difference: all the arrangements were written from scratch and Eric’s voice does not resemble Mel Torme’s. Nevertheless, the feel of the Marty Paich Dek-Tette is evident, significantly enhanced by the presence of several musicians who worked with Marty throughout his career. The solos are particularly noteworthy: Jack Sheldon sounds great both as a reminder of Don Fagerquist and as himself; Herb Geller is always excellent and a more authentic choice could not have been made to cover the alto parts; Bob Enevoldsen never played a bad solo in his life and certainly does not do so here; Med Flory makes some fine contributions on the tenor, and Eric Felten’s trombone work is of a caliber that is clearly worthy of the stellar crew he has chosen to work with. Eric’s vocal style is engaging, devoid of artifice, helps to showcase the excellent jazz ensemble and is perfectly suited for the arrangements. Truly, Eric Felten is a multi-talented musician and vocalist with excellent taste. This recording is a very refreshing reminder of a great musical pairing.

                     Download: itunes.apple.com/us/album/eric-felten-meets-dek-tette/id65688439

                      Other Sources for CD: City Hall Records