Mike Vax & MVJO CD "Alternate Route"
Notes from Pete Rugolo
About the CD
Acknowledgements
Notes: Pete Rugolo
"The New Oakland Jazz Orchestra, led by Mike Vax is a formidable addition to the big band jazz scene. The band has tremendous energy, while still performing musically with more than the usual amount of feeling in big bands today.
This recording is one of the finest big band CDs I have heard in years. It contains some exciting new compositions and truly interesting arrangements of great standard tunes.
While listening to many big band recordings, I feel as if I know what is going to happen musically in the remainder of the charts, well before the CD is half over. This recording had my attention all the way through. The order of the music and the variation of styles kept my interest from the first cut to the very end. You never know where the music will head next!
I'm especially impressed with the solos by Mike Vax, Alex Murzyn on tenor sax, Randy Vincent on guitar, and Steve Campos on trumpet. These people light up these charts like a bright summer day. The lead playing and the section playing is completely together and swings in all the right places, while the rhythm section lays down a wonderful groove in every style.
The guest artists, Pete Escovedo and Cami Thompson, both add immensely in their own way. Pete Escovedo's driving Latin rhythm on "Variations on a Brazilian Song", "New Wages", "San Miguel" and "Embraceable You" bring exhilarating excitement. Cami Thompson is truly one of the finest female singers that I have ever heard. Her phrasing and vocal control, plus her scat choruses, trading fours and twos with Mike Vax are sheer joy.
"Alternate Route" is wonderful addition to anyone's CD collection... especially big band jazz fans.
— Pete Rugolo
