gchun

Tony-

I just picked up the new Jack Cortner New York Big Band CD "Fast Track." What a great album! First rate in all respects: musicianship, solos, ensemble, writing, and engineering.

Can you tell us a little about the band, the recording session, etc. Are you playing lead? Is this the only cd out by this leader? I'd love to hear more from this band.

Garry

kadleck

Thanks Garry -

Jack is a writer (mostly jingles, I think) in NYC. He's been around a long time. I'm pretty sure that this is his first recording.

About the band: Marvin Stamm contracted the band. Bob Millikan (one of my favorites) played lead. The charts are so well written, they kind of play themselves! Fun stuff. Featured soloists: Marvin Stamm (trumpet), Jim Pugh (trombone), Dave Tofani (sax), and Bill Mays (piano).

As with most recording sessions, everyone came in and sight read. No rehearsals. Luckily, the charts were so great - there was no need for one.

It was recorded at Clinton Studios. I'm not sure who mixed it but they did a great job.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Tony

gchun

Thanks for the info, Tony! I hope Jack does more recording.

Garry

Fluffy615

Tony,
I'm looking foward to hearing you on Pete Mcguinness's CD when it comes out. He says that you sound great on it. How was that recoridng session? Did you hear him doing his vocal tracks? How does he sound? lol
Bob Passenti

tomba51

Tony,

Great CD! Marvin Stamm sounds wonderful! I was wondering - with such a great trumpet section (Bob Millikan, Brian O'Flaherty, Danny Cahn, Tony Kadleck, Bud Burridge), how is it decided who plays lead, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th? Is it decided by the contractor/conductor, do the guys work it out themselves, is it whoever got to the session first picked which chair he wanted, or is there a pecking order (in other words, when you see a certain player at a session, you move down a seat and let him play the lead).

Thanks in advance,
Tom

kadleck

Tom -

That's the cool thing about that section - anyone could've played lead. Often the writer will have "their person" play lead. If it was the same exact section but say Don Sebesky was the writer, then maybe myself or Brian might play lead. If it were a different writer, possibly Bud or Danny would play lead.

Most players show up early and put their stuff in the 3rd or 4th chair. (Of course, there are a few guys who MUST play lead ALL the time.) I always put my stuff off to the side and wait to see who shows up. Then we usually fight over the lower chairs! It should be noted that on jingles, movies and recordings, EVERYONE gets the same $, whether the play 1st or 4th. (Jon Faddis used to demand triple scale, then sit on the 4th book!)

If I'm working with Bob, I always assume that he'll play first unless someone has asked me specifically to play lead. He has the most experience and I feel that it should be that way. Plus, he's one of the best around!


Bob -

Pete's CD was fun, but grueling! It was a long day, but it came out quite well. Pete's vocals sound beautiful!

Tony

tromj

what a great NY section! I had the privilege of working one gig with Danny Cahn., and not only is he a great player, but one of the nicest guys around.
Someday, maybe I 'll get some more chances like that.

psalt

Hi Tony.
A very interesting topic is, who plays what part on a freelance gig.
As a former studio player, I used to often find that dealing with this subject required more skill than actually playing the music. You could find 3 or 4 players circling the lead chair waiting for some one to put their equipment down. This area is one that cannot be taught, and the bottom line is that a newcomer to the studio scene can blow it by putting his or her gig bags behind the wrong chair. When in doubt, go for the lower chair.

Peter Salt

reesetee1

Sup Bro!!!

The only thing i can say about the horn section & band is DAYYYUM!!!!

The Binghamton University is having Steve Davis as our guest soloist this semester. Should be a great time!!! Are you down for the BU Guest Artist gig sometimes??? I already talked to Micheal Davis about doing one (the next time we are looking at T-Bones).

I have a question for you that I will start another post!!