IRA B. LISS BIG BAND JAZZ MACHINE, Unexpected Guests

Country legend and 22-time Grammy winner Vince Gill crooning with a big band? 6-time Grammy winning Hawaiian ukulele great Daniel Ho adapting his famed lullaby “Pineapple Mango” to front a lively jazz orchestra arrangement? Tap dancing rapper Leo Manzari finding himself all “Tapped Out” as punchy horns groove behind him?

Those storied performers, along with notable non big banders Wade Culbreath (marimba), violinist Nora Germain, bassoonist Paul Hanson and Han Zimmer’s favorite cellist Tina Guo are among the incredible Unexpected Guests and surreal performers on the fourth album by the Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine, a 17-piece jazz orchestra formed by Liss in 1979.

Easily one of the most inventive, adventurous and dare we say revolutionary contemporary big band album ever, the notion to pair traditional jazz orchestra vibes with 11 world class musicians from outside that realm came to Liss and his longtime collaborator, composer/arranger Dan Radlauer during the pandemic. Using a video by early sign on Gill as a calling card, the duo reached out to a wish list of world class non big banders, offering them the option to bring in their own pieces or having Radlauer compose new tunes for them.

The result is a engaging, high spirited and wildly eclectic 11-track set featuring highlights galore, including Gill’s grace and grandeur on his traditional flavored original ballad “I’m Counting On You,” Ho’s spirited uke with vocal chorus singing in Hawaiian, the dazzling, appropriately titled whimsy of Germain’s “Violinspirations,” some fascinating recorder driven flights of fancy by “Renaissance Woman” Tali Rubenstein and the peppy. Percussive “French Fries,” a romp Radlauer composed for renowned French horn player Chris Castellanos.

The logistics behind Unexpected Guests may make it a one time phenomenon, but the dynamic concept and execution by Liss and Radlauer should inspire an ongoing series.