Joe McCarthy Big Band/Vince Norman - Bright Future [CD]

Saxophonist, composer and arranger Vince Norman teams up again with the recent Grammy-winning percussionist Joe McCarthy for a strong follow-up to their 2007 OA2 release, "Words Cannot Express." with "Bright Future," the duo once again calls on their band of topflight D.C. area musicians for a swinging performance of Norman's arrangements. Stanley Turrentine's "Sugar" is the only standard, and features solos from Norman, on both alto and soprano sax, Ben Patterson on trombone, tenor saxophonist Luis Hernandez and guitarist Gary Malvaso. Trumpeter Tim Stanley is featured throughout the record, and Norman even plays melodica on his tune "Katelyn." "This is an awesome ensemble on all counts: writing, soloing and swinging..." - Ed Soph.