Big-Band CD of the Month - "Mike Longo: Live From New York!"

Big-Band CD of the Month
Mike Longo and the New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble: "Live From New York" (CAP)

Recorded live @ the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium in the NYC Baha'i Center on July 23, 2013
Produced & Engineered by Bob Magnuson
Arranged & Conducted by Mike Longo, except "I'm Old Fashioned" (arr. by Ira Hawkins)
Liner Notes by Mike Longo & Bob Magnuson

Special Guest: Ira Hawkins (vocals)
Featuring: Mike Longo (piano), Tom Hubbard (bass), Mike Campenni (drums), Chris Rogers, John Repogle, Brian Davis & Waldron Ricks (trumpets), Sam Burtis, Nick Finzer, Nick Grinder & Earl McIntyre (trombones), Bob Magnuson, Frank Perowsky, Lee Greene, Mike Migliore & Matt Snyder (saxophones)

Hghlights: an inspired rendition of Benny Golson's "Whisper Not," and Mike Longo's dazzling originals "Afro Desia," "Yoko Mama" and "Inner City Hues," the latter with great solos by Longo and one of my favorite trombonists ever, Sam Burtis, whom I idolize since his solos on such Deodato's tracks like "Havana Strut" and "Amani."