Tiny Big Band 2
Self-Released, 2024
8/10
The bassist and arranger Nikos Chatzitsakos brings 6 horns and vocals to these songs that tip their hat to Cole Porter, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Donald Byrd, among others.
“All Or Nothing At All” starts the listen with Joey Curreri’s fluid flugelhorn and Samuël Bolduc’s agile drumming complementing Chatzitsakos’ skilled bass in the warm climate, and “Get Out Of Town” follows with Alexandria DeWalt’s expressive voice alongside Wilfie Williams’ smooth piano and the soulful horns for the thoughtful delivery.
“Where Or When” occupies the middle spot and illuminates the meticulous bass amid Eleni Ermina Sofou’s gorgeous singing, while “I Don’t Know What Time It Was” has Curreri on trumpet that suits DeWalt’s impressive range in the rich album highlight.
Close to the end, “The Windmills Of Your Mind” enters darker territory via the Rhodes thanks to Williams and the animated sax playing, and “Fotografia” exits with poetic brass and the gentle rhythm section making an indelible impression.
A listen that’s not short on harmonies, melodies, solos and grooves, Chatzitsakos and company bridge the charm of a small ensemble with Big Band ideas, where the brass from Robert Mac Vega Dowda (cornet), Salim Charvet (alto sax), Art Baden (tenor sax), Armando Vergara (trombone) and Gabriel Nekrutman (bari sax) does not disappont.
Travels well with: Marshall Gilkes- Life Songs; Gerald Cannon- Live At Dizzy’s Club