Back in 1990, Stanley Kay (one-time manager and relief drummer for Buddy Rich) was conducting a band in which included drummer Sherrie Maricle. This got him wondering if there were other women performing at the same level, and in 1992 a search began which led to the formation of The Diva Jazz Orchestra, a 15-women big band led by Maricle. For the third time in their career, Diva decided to partner with MCG Jazz, and performed on the MCG Jazz stage with Ken Peplowski, Jay Ashby, Claudio Roditi, and MCG Jazz Executive Producer Marty Ashby. This album is the result of that live performance, with songs ranging from original compositions by the guest soloists to jazz standards and famous Brazilian jazz numbers as the band move through a variety of styles.
This is classic Golden Age jazz, something which to me feels incredibly warm and familiar, gentle, and friendly as opposed to being stark and confrontational. It is easy jazz to listen to, inviting and welcoming, with a variety of different soloists displaying their wares. I grew up listening to my dad playing jazz like this in the car (on eight-track!), and this very much takes me back to those days. The horns are bright, the woodwind driving, and behind it all is a rock-solid rhythm section keeping it all tied down. The songs have been beautifully arranged, and the guys see nothing wrong in turning a big band into a trio at the beginning of “Piccolo Blues” before the horns come in, delicate and harmonious. There is a swing inherent in what the are performing, a gentle confidence which pervades the sound, and the result is something which caused me smile when I first started playing it and that has not gone away yet. If you want to invite someone into the jazz scene without frightening them away, then this is a great introduction to the warmer and friendlier side.
Rating: 8/10
