Out Of The Bluffs is a 2009 compact disc by the University of Memphis Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra recorded in the studio. This was their 2nd CD release since 2007. Since the late 1960s this group has been consistently recognized as one of the top collegiate jazz ensembles in the country recently being invited to the 2011 Jazz Education Network Convention, the 2000 International Association for Jazz Education Convention, and touring Europe in 1998. Musicians from this CD and program won the 2007 University of South Florida Michael Brecker Arranging Competition (David Peoples) and others went on to study with Bob Brookmeyer at the New England Conservatory of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and also work professionally at universities and major symphony orchestras.
Background
The University of Memphis Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra CD Out Of The Bluffs was recorded to present a wide range of music to include tunes arranged of past University of Memphis alumni Mulgrew Miller and James Williams. Two tracks consisting of jazz classics from Bill Russo and Thad Jones are included; this displays the band's capabilities on historic repertoire of the jazz orchestra. Dating back to the 1960s this group has a long history of high level jazz alumni and continues to build on that tradition with this recording. U of M Jazz Orchestra alumni include James Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Tony Reedus, Donald Brown, Bill Easley, and Bill Mobley.
Reception
"Out of the Bluffs displays the Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra in the best possible light, and is recommended as a high-class model of the kind of music that contemporary college-level Jazz ensembles are capable of producing."
Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Track listing
Track Listing:
Recording Sessions
December 5, 2007 at the University of Memphis, STUDIOS A/B
April 10/11, 2008 at the University of Memphis, STUDIOS A/B
Musicians
(1) Recorded December 5, 2007 at the University of Memphis, STUDIOS A/B
Conductor - Dr. Jack Cooper
1st alto saxophone - Justin Johnson
2nd alto saxophone – Jeremy Lewis
1st tenor saxophone - Josh McClain
2nd tenor saxophone - Andrew Traylor
Baritone saxophone - Justin Brown
Lead trumpet/flugelhorn- Ken Wendt
2nd trumpet/flugelhorn – Kevin Price
3rd trumpet/flugelhorn – Randy Ballard
4th trumpet/flugelhorn – Ben Pierre-Louis
5th trumpet/flugelhorn - Paul McKinney
Lead trombone - Anthony Williams (lead) 2nd trombone - Victor Sawyer 3rd trombone - Ed Morse 4th trombone (Portrait of a Count) – David Dick Bass trombone - Lauren Watson Piano - Justin Cockerham Bass - Takahiro Morooka Drums - Jeremy Warren, Micah Lewis (2) Recorded April 10/11, 2008 at the University of Memphis, STUDIOS A/B Conductor - Dr. Jack Cooper 1st alto saxophone – Walter Hoehn 2nd alto saxophone – Jeremy Lewis 1st tenor saxophone - Josh McClain 2nd tenor saxophone - Andrew Traylor Baritone saxophone – Justin Brown Lead trumpet/flugelhorn - Ken Wendt 2nd trumpet/flugelhorn - Kevin Price 3rd trumpet/flugelhorn - Randy Ballard 4th trumpet/flugelhorn – Charles Ray 5th trumpet/flugelhorn - Ben Pierre-Louis 1st Horn (Beautiful Friendship only)- Abby Kattentidt 2nd Horn (Beautiful Friendship only)- Jon Schallert Lead trombone - Anthony Williams 2nd trombone - Victor Sawyer 3rd trombone - David Dick 3rd trombone - Ed Morse Bass trombone- Lauren Watson Piano - Justin Cockerham Bass - Takahiro Morooka Drums - Jeremy Warren/Michah Lewis
Chip Henderson serves as a guest soloist on Alter Ego
Production
Producer: Jack Cooper
Co-jazz instructor of rhythm sections and groups for CD: Tim Goodwin
Co-producer, mixing, editing, and additional recording: David Peoples
Recording engineer: Jon Frazer
Recording assistants: Jacob Fly, Mark Sylvester, Charles Glover, James Antoine, Cory Hawley, David Deleon. Mastering: Mark Yoshida at Audiographic Masterworks, Memphis, TN Photographs: Kay Yager, Josh McLain, David Bradford Piano technician: Scott Higgins Artwork: Carol Morse Manufactured: John Phillips, Select-O-Hits Liner notes: Jack Cooper