Reeds Steve Williams, Andy Axelrad, Luis Hernandez, Vince Norman, Darryl Brenzel
Trumpets Chris Walker, Alex Norris, Greg Reese, Tim Stanley
Trombones Ben Patterson, Joe Jackson, Rhoades Whitehill, Jeff Cortazzo
Rhythm Section Harry Appelman (p), Tim Murphy (p-4),Jim Roberts (g), Mike Pope (b), Joe McCarthy (drums, bells, timbale), Roberto Quintero (congas, percussion), Dave Samuels (vibes & marimba)
"Listening to the exquisite playing and arranging of the Afro Bop Alliance is always an experience. The mix they've acheived is so balanced that you never feel that the music is too Latin to be Jazz or too Jazzy to be Latin."
- Paquito D'Rivera
The Vince Norman/Joe McCarthy Big Band Bright Future
Reeds: Vince Norman, Steve Williams, Andy Axelrad, Luis Hernandez, Ben Bokor, Rob Holmes
Trumpets: Chris Walker, Paul Armstrong, Tim Stanley, Greg Reese
Trombones: Ben Patterson, Joe Jackson, Rhoades Whitehill, Dave Perkel, Major Bailey
Rhythm Section: Tony Nalker (Pno), Gary Malvasor (G), Joe McCarthy(D&Perc), Mike Pope (B)
"I think Bright Future is one of the finest big band CDs I've heard, spectacular on every level."
- Wayne Bergeron
Trumpet/Studio Legend
Caribbean Jazz Project / Afro Bop Alliance
Featuring Dave Samuels
Reeds
Luis Hernandez, Steve Williams,
Andy Axelrad, Vince Norman, Rob Holmes
Trumpets
Chris Walker, Nick Cooper,
Tim Stanley, Greg Reese
Trombones
Dan Drew, Jim McFalls,
Ben Patterson, Mark Morgan
Rhythm Section
Harry Appelman, JJ Wright (Pno), Joe McCarthy(D&Perc),
Max Murray (B), Roberto Quintero (Congas, Bongos, Maacas)
"The band cooks, no question about it, and Samuels' Latin-leaning arrangements are smart and steamy...the quality of musicianship throughout the album is superb, and those unfamiliar with the previous releases will undoubtedly find it exhilarating."
- All Music Guide
Recorded 2006
Projected Release, June 22, 2007 OA2 Records
The Vince Norman/Joe McCarthy Big Band Words Cannot Express
9 original compositions by Vince Norman,
featuring the members of AfroBop Alliance at the core of this blazing hot big band!
Reeds: Vince Norman, Steve Williams, Andy Axelrad, Tedd Baker, Ben Bokor, Fred Wolfe
Trumpets: Paul Stevens, Paul Armstrong, Nick Cooper, Tim Stanley, Greg Reese
Trombones: Ben Patterson, Chris Buckholz, Jeff Martin, Major Bailey
Rhythm Section: Harry Appelman, Vince Norman(Pno), Gary Malvaso, Geoff Reecer (G), Joe McCarthy(D&Perc), Max Murray (B)
"This is an awesome ensemble on all counts: writing, soloing, and swinging!!"
- Ed Soph Jazz Drumming Legend
Professor of Music, University of North Texas
Recorded Summer 2005
Released by Mambo Maniacs,
January 2007
