Maybe The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be, but thanks to the feisty, fiery, quirky and lyrical 14 Jazz Orchestra, tomorrow and the day after look pretty darn bright, funky and madly swinging.
Led by producer/arranger Dan Bonsanti, the Miami based contemporary big band powers its way through a hip and happening collection whose overriding theme seems to be wildly varying tempos and jazz standards and obscurities that lend themselves to richly textured, sizzling ensemble action and pockets for key solos.
Pulling by the reins, they re-imagine pieces by greats like Chick Corea, Eliane Elias and Wayne Shorter alongside unexpected classics from other genres (“16 Tons (Give or Take),” “I’ll Be Seeing You”). One of the more fascinating aspects of the group is that it’s named after the 14 regulars, yet amazing guests abound. Greats like Randy Brecker, Mark Colby Mark Egan, Danny Gottlieb and Rick Margitza have a blast shining alongside featured saxophonist Ed Calle and a batch of South Florida’s top jazz and studio musicians and music educators. Think they’ll have to re-imagine “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades” soon!