Who needs L.A. or N.Y. studio musicians? These AC/Philly cats kick so hard and then turn on a dime and whisper. Vezinho's writing for the Sax section is worth the price of the disc. The title tune BLUE HAIRED MAMA is an absolute beast.
Vezinho/Ward delivers swing and intelligence. You'll wear this disc out from repeated listening.
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Matching stride for stride the brightly complex and swinging productions of West Coast stars like Carl Saunders and Gordon Goodwin, Ed Vezhino and Jim Ward have raised their brilliant band to another level with the release of their new CD, BLUE HAIRED MAMA.  Perfectly performed, these charts--all written by Vezhino--validate the promise generated by their debut CD, SMILE.  Compared at that time to the bands of Bob Florence and Rob McConnell, it is fair to say that this new set may well surpass the earlier judgment.  Of special note is the solo work of trombone star Clint Sharman at his melodious most tender, the muscular on-the-money tenor playing by John Guida and Stan Weiss's baritone sax sound, the best in the business, with his always inventive, surprising story-telling.  The rhythm section, anchored by drummer Harry Himles, sets everyone free to do his work.  Buy this CD and praise it from the rooftops.
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What an excellent musical experience "Blue Haired Mama" delivers. This is some real hard core cooking big band jazz at its very best.The new musical scores written by Ed Vezinho are wonerfully expressed by one hell of a band. The arrangements make for some ineresting melodic sounds. This CD is one big band jazz experience that every jazz enthusiast should keep in their collection. Way to go big Ed and Jim. I am a new fan and looking forwards to more.
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Blue Haired Mama, Ed Vezinho/Jim Ward's second CD, sparkles with fresh new big band music written by Ed, new twists on several standards and creative soloists that know big band jazz from the inside out.  From the opening belt of Stan Weiss's bari in May Day to the last strain of All The Things I'm Not, which is a Latin take of a similar title, the band kept my undivided attention in a way I haven't experienced since my teens when I looked forward the next Kenton LP, Buddy Rich swinger, or later when Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass re-made big bands exciting again. John Guida and Ron Kerber have great tenor solos on May Day and Keep On Tryin' respectively, and Mike Natale contributes tasty trumpet and flugelhorn on Send In The Clowns and you don't want to miss the lead trumpet of Jim Ward on top throughout the album. Demetrios Pappas not only has the magic touch on his piano solos in Pure Imagination and the title cut blues, Blue Haired Mama, but he has the rare ability to comp behind the other soloists and the entire ensemble. If you are looking for a weak solo or lesser quality arrangement on this CD you will be disappointed.  Don't think twice......just buy it!  You'll thank Ed and Jim for making big band music new again and again.
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