Throughout the afternoon, Gutierrez received first-class backing from Williams, as well as guitarist Will Matthews, bassist Steve Rigazzi and drummer Mike Warren, all from KC. In his heartfelt limning of “When I Fall in Love” accompanied by the wonderful Kansas City pianist Charles Williams, Gutierrez brought us into a shimmering romantic world whose enduring sentiments were at once personal and universal. The singer is also a compelling storyteller. His bluesy phrasing, razor-sharp intonation and breath-taking range that takes his rich baritone into the stratosphere with an impressive falsetto range are among his many assets. Gutierrez’s stylistic breadth works because of his superior musicianship. Putting his compelling voice and winning personality to the test with such standards as “Night and Day” and soul-funk classics like “The Look of Love,” the singer thrilled a full house at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center with a musical persona that was part Sinatra, part Stevie Wonder and all Ron Gutierrez. Special guest: Harold Jones: drums.īorn and bred in Topeka, singer extraordinaire Ron Gutierrez proved anew why he is in a league of his own nationally and regionally in a Sunday afternoon Topeka Jazz Workshop concert that lifted body and soul. Personnel: Jim Mair: music director, alto sax Steve Molloy, Bob Harvey, Jay Sollenberger, Stan Kessler: trumpet Bob Long, Greg Briggs: alto sax, flute Doug Talley: tenor, soprano sax, flute David Chael: tenor sax, flute Kerry Strayer: baritone sax, flute Jeff Hamer, Paul McKee, Stephanie Cox: trombone Lee Hill Kavanaugh: bass trombone Charles Williams: piano Rod Fleeman: guitar Theodore Wilson: bass Lisa Henry: vocals (2,5,8). Track Listing: Vine Street Rumble I Just Found Out About Love Take the �A� Train Michelle We�ll Be Together Again Cute Jenny You Make Me Feel So Young Tee Pee Time Corner Pocket Come Sunday One O�Clock Jump (47:41). In fact, an admirable enterprise all round for the rosy-cheeked KCJO, and, one would hope, a harbinger of more memorable adventures yet to come. The studio recording is bright and clear, although the brass is a tad too distant at times (at least on my headphones), while the less-than-lavish 47:41 playing time is at least acceptable for a first effort. The KJO has a splendid vocalist in Lisa Henry, and she acquits herself well on “I Just Found Out About Love, “We’ll Be Together Again and “You Make Me Feel So Young, with sturdy support from the orchestra. Williams and tenor David Chael are out front on “Rumble, Mair (alto) and Doug Talley (soprano) on “‘A’ Train, Talley (tenor) and trumpeter Steve Molloy on “Corner Pocket, flutist Bob Long and flugel Bob Harvey on “Sunday, Williams, Talley and flugel Jay Sollengerger on “Jump. Kessler’s burnished flugel is featured with pianist Charles Williams on Lennon/McCartney’s “Michelle and with baritone Theodore Wilson on Ernie Wilkins’ “Jenny. Duke Ellington is represented by his composition “Come Sunday and Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the ‘A’ Train.Clark Terry’s “Tee Pee Time is a cooker, with solos to match by tenor Doug Talley, trombonist Paul McKee and trumpeter Stan Kessler. And what better way to open a KC-style session than with Benny Carter’s “Vine Street Rumble, building a solidly swinging groove in which everyone is loose and comfortable.Later on, the band offers a trio of snappy salutes to the legendary Count Basie, a founding father of the Kansas City school of big band jazz-the Count’s classic “One O’Clock Jump, Freddie Green’s “Corner Pocket and Neal Hefti’s “Cute (the last showcasing guest drummer Harold Jones). Deciding on a name for the album was easy, as most numbers were neatly wrapped up on Take One. After honing its chops during three highly successful concerts, the band entered KC’s Soundtrek Studio in November ’04 to establish a more permanent record of its burgeoning prowess.Keenly aware of the long and glorious tradition of big band jazz in Kansas City, the KCJO was eager for the challenge, and everything seemed to fall neatly in place. The debut recording by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra marks the pinnacle of a dream come true for cofounders Jim Mair and Gene Hall-a repertory orchestra comprised of top-notch musicians from the Kansas City area, patterned after others around the country with local sponsors, a board of directors and national grants to lend financial support.
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