Born in Santa Barbara, Jim Waller began playing music at an early age, and soon became an important member of the ground-breaking jazz-rock octet Los Blues that played regularly for nearly six years (1967–73) in Las Vegas, since when he has worked with a large assortment of major names including Marvin Gaye, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Bill Watrous, Cat Anderson, Richie Cole, Paul Gonsalves and Pete Fountain. His career as a multi-instrumentalist (tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, trombone, organ, piano, and guitar), freelance arranger, record producer, and educator has led him in many areas, but at long last he has achieved one of the final items on his musical bucket list, recording a big band album.
Waller provides half of the material on this album as well as all the arrangements for the 21-person big band and the tenor saxophone solo. 9 of the 14 songs are instrumental, while they are joined by singer Jacqueline Sotelo on the other five. There is something special about big band jazz, a feeling of luxury, like sitting in a favourite armchair and just relaxing in what is going on around the listener. This is the type of music I used to listen to with my dad in the car when he had an 8-track, so this style always feels familiar and homely to me. The arrangements on this album take in different types of jazz, so we can move easily from golden age into Latin, with some great brass sections, while the walking bassline on “Blues For Los Blues” is simply divine. A special mention should also be made of Sorento, who chooses some interesting and unexpected notes at times, really making those songs her own, with some wonderful scat as well. This is rich and opulent, jazz from a time gone by, with arrangements which allow every musician to shine and is a delight from start to end.
Rating: 8/10
