Play That Thing
© Copyright-Rick Wald
(857872001143)
Record Label: Glowbow
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leader/composer/arranger: Rick Wald
trumpets: Earl Gardner, Seneca Black, John Eckert, Jack Walrath
trombones: Sam Burtis, Noah Bless, Art Baron, George Flynn (bass bone)
saxes: Lou Marini (alto/sop./fl./alto fl.), Loren Stillman (alto/fl.), Ted Nash (tenor/fl.), Adam Kolker (tenor/clar.), Terry Goss (bari/bass clar.)
piano: Ted Kooshian
bass: Chip Jackson (Dennis Irwin on Prince of Darkness only)
drums: Jeff Brillinger
Rick has led a number of small groups and large jazz ensembles in New York City since the '70's. His previous cd with 16/NYC titled "Castaneda's Dreams" received unanimous recommendations and praise from Jazz Times, Jazz Improv, Jazz Week, Cadence, All About Jazz and a number of other publications. Rick feels that along with the music on "Castaneda's Dreams", his new cd – "Play That Thing" – represents his best writing, and says 16/NYC is the best band he's ever had.
"I don't think I could have a band like this anywhere else. Not only does every musician in 16/NYC have great chops and technical ability, they're all also creative soloists who've developed their own unique musical personalities. They haven't just attempted to clone the sounds and styles of well known jazz stars.
New York City doesn't have a monopoly on great jazz musicians. There are excellent jazz players all around the world nowadays. But nowhere else has the sheer number of smokin' players and diversity of styles that are available to composers and bandleaders in New York. And there's sort of an indefinable edge in the sound of a NYC band. You can't live here and be unaffected by the energy and intensity of the city, and that energy and intensity is reflected in the playing of the jazz musicians here."
Its also reflected in Rick's compositions and arrangements. In addition to five new original compositions on "PLay That Thing", Rick's arrangements of three well known tunes written by other musicians provide a new and fresh sound for these jazz classics.
Though he credits a long list of jazz greats who've influenced his writing – including Ellington, Mingus, Gil Evans, Gerald Wilson, Oliver Nelson, Thad Jones and Gary McFarland – Rick, like his band members, has developed his own unique sound.
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Another great album from Rick Wald and 16/NYC
author: Duane Harvey
This, the second installment from Wald's big band, shows that 2006's excellent Castaneda's Dreams was in fact just a taste of even greater things to come. Play That Thing is simply one of the great big band recordings, period. Wald's unique voice has expanded in scope here and the hand-picked soloists masterfully develop the charts as intended in the best tradition of Ellington and Mingus. The fourth track, "Quascau", alone is worth the price of admission--as good a piece of big band writing and playing as I have ever heard.
One could write about this outstanding disc all day, but why read about it when you can hear it for yourself? Both of Wald's big band discs really are worthy of the virtually unanimous praise they have garnered, and thus deserve the support of as wide an audience as possible. If you care for this kind of music at all, buy this album. You won't regret it. --dh
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author: David Aiken
I thought Rick's first album, "castenada's dreams' was very good. This is better with a little more variety in the writing and a better recording, plus 3 standards which I find let's me get a better feel for his personal musical voice by letting me hear it 'say' some familiar things as well as some new ones. Both the originals and the standards come off very well indeed. The playing is not only proficient but joyful, and the music is great. To quote Gershwin, "Who could ask for anything more?" OK, I can. Maybe Rick could cover a Gershwin tune on the next disc and I certainly hope there is a next disc.
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Play That Thing
author: Barry S.
This album is the only new big band jazz album I would rate as 5 stars. The writing, arranging, and performances are impeccable. Rick has given his personal sound to the big band concept. Harmonically and rhythmically interesting, not predictable but very sensible. A lovely listening experience. Don't let this one pass you by and if you haven't heard his first CD, Castaneda's Dreams, you should pick up on that one also. It has it's own character. His is a voice to be reckoned with.
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Play That Thing
author: Richard Deutsch
This has quickly become my favorite jazz cd.
Rick Wald deserves recognition as one of the great jazz musicians of our generation.
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