V.S.O.P. #124 CD DANNY D'IMPERIO & THE BLOVIATORS: "BOOZE"

• 1. BETWEEN RACES [Chuck Mangione] 10:46
• Greg Gisbert, trumpet; Gary Pribek, alto sax; Ralph Lalama, tenor sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solos: Pribek, Lalama, O'Brien, Gisbert, D'Imperio.)
• Recorded August 23, 1994

   

• 2. BIG "P" [Jimmy Heath] 4:59
• Andy Gravish, Greg Gisbert, trumpets; Chris Persad, flugelhorn; John Mosca, trombone; Gary Pribek, alto sax; John Rohde, tenor sax; Joe Carello, baritone sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solos: O'Brien, Pribek, Gravish, Mosca.)
• Recorded October 27, 1998

   

• 3. I GUESS I'LL HANG MY TEARS OUT TO DRY [Sammy Cahn/Jules Styne] 5:57
• Gary Pribek, alto sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; Steve Brown, guitar; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solos: Pribek, O'Brien.)
• Recorded October 27, 1998.

   

• 4. OUR DELIGHT [Tadd Dameron] 6:23
• Greg Gisbert, trumpet; John Mosca, trombone; Gary Pribek, alto sax; Ralph Lalama, tenor sax; Joe Carello, baritone sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solos: O'Brien, Pribek, Lalama, Gisbert, Mosca.)
• Recorded October 27, 1998

   

• 5. MEET BENNY BAILEY [Quincy Jones] 9:11
• Andy Gravish, Chris Persad (muted), trumpets; Gary Pribek, alto sax; Ralph Lalama, tenor sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solos: O'Brien, Lalama, Pribek, Persad, Gravish.)
• Recorded October 27, 1998

   

• 6. STRAIGHT STREET [John Coltrane] 6:55
• Greg Gisbert, Andy Gravish, trumpets; John Mosca, trombone; Gary Pribek, alto sax; Ralph Lalama, tenor sax; Joe Carello, baritone sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solos: Mosca, Gisbert.)
• Recorded October 26, 1998

   

• 7. STAY ON IT [Tadd Dameron/Dizzy Gillespie] 7:36
• Greg Gisbert, Andy Gravish trumpets; Gary Pribek, alto sax; Ralph Lalama, tenor sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solos: O’Brien, Lalama, Pribek, Gisbert [1st], Gravish [2nd], alternating trumpet exchanges with drums follow same order)
• Recorded October 26, 1998

   

• 8. IT’S MAGIC (take 1) [Sammy Cahn/Jules Styne] 4:37
• Andy Gravish, trumpet; Gary Pribek, alto sax; John Rohde, tenor sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solo: Pribek.)
• Recorded October 27, 1998.

   

• 9. MAKE IT GOOD (take 1) [Duke Pearson] 6:15
• Andy Gravish, trumpet; John Mosca, trombone; Gary Pribek, alto sax; Ralph Lalama, tenor sax; Joe Carello, baritone sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solos: O’Brien, Gravish, Pribek.)
• Recorded October 26, 1998.

   

• 10. I GUESS I'LL HANG MY TEARS OUT TO DRY (take 1) [Sammy Cahn/Jules Styne] 5:55
• Gary Pribek, alto sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; Steve Brown, guitar; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solos: Pribek, O'Brien.)
• Recorded October 27, 1998.

   

• 11. THE SONG IS YOU (take 2) [Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein] 6:52
• Greg Gisbert, trumpet; John Mosca, trombone; Gary Pribek, alto sax; Ralph Lalama, John Rohde, tenor saxes; Joe Carello, baritone sax; Hod O’Brien, piano; “Queeg,” bass; Danny D’Imperio, drums.
• (Solos: Pribek, O’Brien, Mosca, Gisbert.)
• Recorded October 26, 1998.

   

This latest Danny D'Imperio CD is the companion release to V.S.O.P. #122CD DANNY D'IMPERIO: "ALCOHOL" and also consists of recordings made during the early and mid-1990s from two sessions involving Danny's big band. This version of the big band included the usual suspects: Gary Pribek, Ralph Lalama, David Shapiro and Hod O'Brien, as well as members of Danny's upstate New York big band called the "Bloviators" such as Chris Persad, John Rohde and Joe Carello. In addition, The Village Vanguard Orchestra's Greg Gisbert, Andy Gravish and John Mosca, are featured along with guitarist Steve Brown. Danny, leader of this motley crew, rounds out the cast of characters.

This second CD in the series like most of Danny's other releases on VSOP RECORDS is in part a study in the lesser known compositions of bebop and mainstream jazz, combined often with new compositions. In this case, while there are no original works, the rediscovery of such lesser known gems as "Between Races", "Big P", "Meet Benny Bailey", "Stay On It" and "Make It Good" are an excellent reason to discover them or rediscover them through this release. The balance of the program, is equally worthwhile, revealing the fine arranging skills of Danny and Steve Brown on all of the tracks. This CD features Gary Pribek's alto work, showcased on three of the selections, "It's Magic" and two takes of "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry". This may be the last release featuring his alto work as he has hung up his instrument for good. Once again, the excellent trumpet work of Greg Gisbert and Andy Gravish and the tenor sax of Ralph Lalama provide the high caliber solo work that propels most of the music. Danny D'Imperio is also featured with a long solo on "Between Races".

As everyone who has ever met Danny or dealt with him on the internet knows, he is a character, in the best sense of the word. He has shared his extensive knowledge of jazz on the many releases he has under his name, and has discovered and nurtured many talented soloists over the years. His dedication to jazz is complete. It is with great pleasure that we share with him his love of this music and his fine contribution to it.

Download: itunes.apple.com/us/album/booze-feat.-gary-pribek-greg/id568711673

Other sources for CD: City Hall Records