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 Jazz Scene Newsletter , Australia
- May 2006 Michael McQuaid is one of the exciting bunch of young and supremely talented musicians who have made Melbourne their home and revivalist jazz a special interest in their musical progression. In Michael’s particular case, the title multi-instrumentalist fits like a glove and additionally, he collects the veteran instruments that he plays, transcribes and arranges music, delighting in the earlier styles of jazz, swing and hot dance.
On this recording, he has scooped some gems, from the 1930s in particular, using tunes written or recorded in big band arrangements by the likes of Ellington, Armstrong, Waller, Henderson and the Casa Loma Orchestra, with a trio of Graeme Bell’s compositions added for texture. There are 22 selections on this CD, all played by a nonpareil nontette of enthusiastic musicians whose parents weren’t even born when most of these tunes were composed! Sandra sings some, in her distinctive style that recalls the great voice of Billie Holiday. Everyone solos with distinction and there are some exciting chases choruses here and there. The tunes ‘Casa Loma Stomp’ and ‘Spanish Shawl’ are as hot as the band’s name implies, while ‘Stardust’ and ‘The Mooche’ do much to credit to the composers. ‘Jumbuck Jamboree’ and ‘Goanna March’ will make Mr. Bell smile. As he says in the sleeve notes, ‘This is easily one of the best Australian bands on the scene today’. Can we anticipate more of the same from the era of the Territory Bands and those from Harlem and Kansas City? (Not forgetting Oliver’s glorious Dixie Syncopators). Buy this and encourage Michael. - Ron Spain
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