Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra features: Dave McMurdo, Alex Dean, Don Englert, Mike Malone, Quisin Nachoff, Paul Novotny, Terry Promaine, Chase Sanborn, Reg Schwager.

The Dave McMurdo big band is an excellent Canadian orchestra. Their double-CD has arrangements from McMurdo, Mike Malone, Don Thompson, Mark Promane, and Phil Nimmons. The music ranges from swinging hard bop to hints of the third stream and avant-garde, particularly on the opening « What’s It Gonna Be, » which features the two tenors Just for Now CD music. Many players get to solo with the key players including guitarist Reg Schwager, tenor saxophonists Alan Dean and Quinsin Nachoff, pianist Don Thompson, trumpeter Chase Sanborn, and Dave McMurdo on trombone Just for Now album for sale. While the music overall is conventional, the musicianship is top-notch, the arrangements contain their share of surprises, and the results are both swinging and quite modern Just for Now songs. ~ Scott Yanow

CD 1

MIKE MALONE

1. What’s It Gonna Be?

PHIL NIMMONS

2. Just For Now

GEORGE GERSHWIN

3. But Not For Me

DON THOMPSON

4. Blues For Gary

MIKE MALONE

5. Angels

MIKE MALONE

6. Freckles

CD 2

DON THOMPSON

1. You Are The Song

DAVE MCMURDO

2. B & S

MARK PROMANE

3. Mr.C.P.

PHIL NIMMONS

4. Times Passed

GARY MCFARLAND

5. Weep

TERRY PROMANE

6. This Butts For You

FRAGOS/BAKER/GASPARRE

7. I Hear A Rhapsody