Camels -- John Daversa 'Junk Wagon' Track 04
The album 'Junk Wagon' available NOW on iTunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/junk-wagon-the-big-band-album/id445637850
For all things Daversa: http://www.johndaversa.com
All Tracks Composed and Arranged by John Daversa, Daversafications Publications, ASCAP.
Producer: Tim Weston, Soul Coast Productions
Recorded and Mixed by: Chris Brooke
Recorded at: The Bridge Recording, Glendale, CA
Mastered by: Dave Collins
Photography: T.J. Tesh
Executive Producer: Jonathan Losk
Personnel:
John Daversa
Band Leader, Trumpet, Electric Valve Instrument (EVI), Vocals, Piano
Woodwinds:
Jeff Driskill,7 Alto Sax, Flute, and Piccolo
Phil O'Connor, Alto Sax, Clarinet & Soprano Sax
Tom Peterson, Tenor Sax, Clarinet
John Yoakum, Tenor Sax, Flute, Oboe
Bob Carr, Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet
Trumpets and Flugelhorns:
Ron King (Lead: Tracks 1-3)
Bijon Watson (Lead: Tracks 4 & 9)
Glenda Smith (Lead: Tracks 6 & 7)
Rob Schaer (Lead: Tracks 5 & 8)
Trombones:
Bill Booth (Lead: Tracks 4-8)
Charlie Morillas (Lead: Tracks 1-3, & 9)
Paul Young
George Thatcher, Bass Trombone
Rhythm Section:
Jeff Babko, Piano, Rhodes and Hammond B3
Zane Carney, Guitar
Jerry Watts, Bass
Gene Coye, Drums
Group Vocal & Claps on The Bridge, Part 1:
Katisse Buckingham, Gene Coye, Greg Curtis, John Daversa, Noah Gladstone, Ron King, Phil O'Connor, Rob Schaer, & Jerry Watts
Aditional Personnel:
Katisse Buckingham, Tenor Sax, Flute, Vocals, and Tambourine (Tracks 1-4)
Kevin Garren, Alto Sax, Clarinet (Tracks 4 & 7)
Nancy Newman, Baritone Sax (Tracks 4 & 7)
Michael Stever, Trumpet (Tracks 3, & 7)
T.J. Tesh, Trumpet (Tracks 3)
Joey Sellers, Trombone (Tracks 7)
I've always maintained that a big band is simply a blank canvas, typically consisting of 17to 20 players, that can sound like just about anything, based on the imagination of the creator of the music. In the right hands the possibilities are endless, and can draw upon the tradition while simultaneously circumventing that same tradition, thus supplanting the obvious with the unexpected. John Daversa, in my humble opinion, has done just that with Junk Wagon. He and his incredible band have come up with a collection of music that transcends any expectations of what a big band might sound like, and they have done so by coming up with a personal vocabulary they developed as the result of playing and hanging together on a regular basis.
The music on Junk Wagon takes the listener off the beaten trail pretty much from note one. The combination of colorful orchestration and energetic ensemble playing is arranged in a way that kept me guessing as to where it all was going next. I found surprise after surprise in the writing and playing that held my attention for the full duration of the cd. This is a rare occurrence in this day and age for these ears.
John Daversa is one of those rare musicians who is an incredible soloist, an accomplished orchestrator, a composer with an identifiable voice, and
an articulate artist who does things in a focused way, always with a clear vision of the how's and why's. I've played John's music, played with John in a variety of settings, and have witnessed John spark the creative spirit in all he comes in contact with. He has a maturity in his writing and playing well beyond his years. Furthermore, John is a beautiful human being who perpetually marvels at the beauty, wonder, and joy in this crazy life we live. It is all these qualities that John possesses that make his music so compelling.
This cd is not Basie, not Ellington, not Kenton, not Gil Evans, not none of that! And while you may hear a smattering of influences from the past in one way or another, Junk Wagon is clearly and unequivocally a Daversafication of the man and his take on life. Bravo to John and the band for coming up with an amazing cd.
-Bob Mintzer
