Detour Ahead encompasses a jazz center point… a point where the jazz isn't too far out… and yet not too predictable… it's a place where pure enjoyment comes to mind… in the singing… in the arranging… and from the musicians as they play.
Follow up to the highly acclaimed Shining Hour CD on Jazzed Media jazz male vocalist Jeff Oster is joined by trumpeter/arranger Peter Welker and a host of California's finest musicians for an album of swinging mainstream jazz titles.
Performed by a group of California's best jazz musicians including trombonists Bill Watrous and Scott Whitfield, pianist Mark Levine, violinist Jeremy Cohen, drummer/percussionist Celso Alberti, and alto saxophonist Andrew Speight.
This album employs a variety of instrumental combinations from a swinging eleven piece big band to a sensitive duo that clearly showcases Jeff Oster's incredible jazz vocal artistry.
FEATURING:
Jeff Oster, Vocals Peter Welker, Trumpet/Flugelhorn and arrangements Doug Morton, Trumpet Andrew Speight, Alto Sax/Alto Flute Rob Roth, Tenor Sax Scott Petersen, Bari Sax Doug Rowan, Bari Sax Bill Watrous, Trombone Scott Whitfield, Trombone Randy Vincent, Guitar Jeremy Cohen, Strings Doug Harmon, Cello Dave Mathews, Piano Mark Levine, Piano Chris Amberger, Bass Celso Alberti, Drums/Percussion Kevin Dillon, Drums
Beware! This knockout CD is HOT! It shakes up the "Jazz Compass."
Detour Ahead is an idiomatic journey-it moves, it swings, and it rings with celebratory verve and unsparing passion for the jazz environment-the songs, the words, and the music-makers. Oster/Welker's palette is a changing maze of hues, moods, fabrics, allusions and sounds. They wear the badge of good taste and inspirational urge. They exhibit meaningful examples of a give and take concept of symbiosis, working together on arrangements.
CLOSING REMARKS: The fresh, evergreen quality of musical and emotional absorption sticks with the conviction this is an uncommon journey.
Together, Jeff Oster and Peter Welker's Jazz Alliance speaks directly to the legacy of seductive logic and artistry of jazz. Everyone on these sessions was able to harvest emotional rushes while retaining the youthful spirit of exploratory sounds.
No, there is no need for any detour-it's straight ahead, baby!
