Jill Townsend Big Band - Tales from the Sea

This contemporary big band swings hard with seventeen of Canada's finest jazz musicians. Brilliant solos and beautiful ensemble work combine to make it one of the most exciting big bands on the west coast today. Their new CD 'Tales From the Sea' is receiving high praise in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The compositions and arrangements of leader Jill Townsend and guitarist Bill Coon supply an inspirational foundation on which the many great jazz soloists build. They include: Campbell Ryga (alto), Bill Coon (guitar), Brad Turner (trpt), Ross Taggart (tenor), Dennis Esson (trb), Dave Robbins (drums), Rod Murray (trb), and Jack Stafford (alto). 'The band is superb. The soloists are uniformly great and the entire production is excellent.' Rob McConnell (trombonist, arranger/composer, leader of Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass) 'The team of Jill Townsend and Bill Coon supply charts that are rich and fresh rhythmically, melodically, and harmonically... ' Ian McDougall (trombonist/arranger/composer) 'It's fantastic! I was impressed by all the abilities -playing, writing, sound, etc' Jiggs Whigham (trombonist) '...I really like your CD 'tales from the sea'...I like all the compositions and compliments to all the soloists...' Kenny Wheeler (trpt/composer/arranger) 'Jill, as leader, has put together an unbelievable all-star jazz band that plays some superb standard and original charts by herself and spouse Bill Coon.' Bobby Hales /big band leader/president of local 145 '...But the real star was Townsend herself, whose detailed, intricate charts swung with impressively Ellingtonian suavity...' Alexander Varty, Georgia Straight THE BAND: Jill Townsend-leader Campbell Ryga -alto/soprano Jack Stafford -alto/flute/clarinet Ross Taggart -tenor/soprano Mike Allen- tenor Chris Startup -baritone sax/bs clarinet Dennis- Esson trb Rod Murray- trb Jeremy Berkman- trb Neil Nicholson- bs trb Paul Baron -trpt/flug Derry Byrne- trpt/flug Brad Turner- trpt/flug Robin Shier- trpt/flug Bill Coon -guitar André Lachance - bass Dave Robbins-drums.

1) The Gift
2) Old Folks
3) From a Whisper to a Roar
4) Cape John
5) Waltz of the Jellyfish
6) Amet Island
7) My Wild Irish Rose
8) Street Dance
9) Blues in Maude's Flat