Artist description There are 2 bands: The James Bazen Quintet and The James Bazen Big Band.The big band is an 18 piece orchestra (4 rhythm, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, 5 saxes, and a female vocalist).The style is most like a combination of Kenton and Basie.The quintet includes drums, bass, keys, guitar, sax and is a little more contemporary.

Music Style Jazz, Swing, Contemporary, Bebop

Musical Influences Stan Kenton, Cannonball Adderly, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Grover Washington

Similar Artists Count Basie, Grover Washington, Stan Kenton

Artist History James Bazen has been playing woodwinds in the DC area since 1984. During the course of jobbinghe met many musicians and was able to put together various bands that play clubs and festivals in theWashington DC area.

Group Members The James Bazen Quintet: James Bazen, woodwinds; Mike Davis, trumpet; Mark Cook, keys; Ward Harris, bass; Stave Larrance, drums.The James Bazen Big Band: Saxes: James Bazen, Kellogg Johnson, Jack Sharretts, Don Lerman, Nancy Switkes; Trumpets: Mike Davis, Bennie Greene, Charlie Peterson, Mac McClaeb;Trombones: Doug Elliott, Bob Powers, Mike Gordon, Todd Sahlroot, Dale Cheal; Rhythm: Brian Litz (guitar), Larry Brown (keys), Gary Hill (keys), Hugh Johnson (bass), Steve Larrance (drums).

Instruments See personnel above

Albums The James Bazen Big Band "Tonight He's Mine," and The James Bazen Quintet "Stranger Things."

Press Reviews James Bazen Big Band "Tonight He's Mine" -Reviews And ArticlesFrom Hal's Past Picks on the Jazz Canada Web Site: Reedman James Bazen leads his Maryland-based big band on this 1996 CD of standards and originals. It's a well-balanced aggregation driven ostensibly by drummer Steve Larrance, with excellent solos by such performers as trombonists Doug Elliot ("Tonight He's Mine"/"The Funky Little Drummer Boy"), tenor man Kellogg Johnson ("Syeeda's Song Flute"/"Chillin' "), and trumpeter Mike Davis ("The Funky Little Drummer Boy"). Bazen himself, who charted most of the numbers, shows his versatility on flute ("Summertime"), alto sax ("Stranger Things"), soprano ("The Funky Little Drummer Boy") and clarinet ("Danny the Samba Boy""). Four of the eleven compositions have vocals - Patty McKay, offering a wide dynamic range and great flexibility with the lyrics on "Willow Weep for Me", while Debbie Macfarlan treats her own "Tonight He's Mine" with a rich, strong voice to an orchestral Latin Beat. The relaxed, almost bluesy "Chillin' " and John Coltrane's "Syeeda's Song Flute" proved most satisfying for this listener. (J.S.) Several styles come through on this CD - from Samba, funky to bluesy. Shows a lot of class and excellence with unison sounds. -Jazz Connection, the official publication of the World Jazz Network, December 1997 An enterprising endeavor by another of the many uncelebrated bands that continue somehow to survive in today's exceedingly hostile musical climate, is enhanced by Bazen's remarkable musicianship, in particular his quirky arrangements of two well known traditional songs, "Danny Boy" and "The Little Drummer Boy," which he transmutes into thoroughly charming conveyances for his well-drilled contemporary ensemble. Bazen, who plays a number of woodwinds, wrote and arranged the shuffling cooker, "Stranger Things," and the laid back blues, "Chillin'," and expertly charted "There Is No Greater Love" and the title selection, whose composer, Debbie Macfarlan, doubles as vocalist. Pianist Gary Hill contributed two impressive charts, "Summertime" (taken as a vigorous samba) and "I Could Write A Book" (one of Patty McKay's three vocals - she's also heard on "You Can Have It" and the Matt Harris arrangement of "Willow Weep For Me"). In addition to Bazen (flute on "Summertime," clarinet on "Danny The Samba Boy," alto sax on "Stranger Things" and "Chillin'," soprano sax on "Funky Little Drummer Boy"), there are respectable solos by pianists Hill (on his two charts) and Brown; tenors Johnson (who arranged and solos on John Coltrane's "Syeeda's Song Flute") and Lerman; trumpeters McClaeb, Davis and Greene; trombonists Cheal, Gordon and Elliott; guitarists Litz, and drummer Larrance (who anchors a capable and industrious rhythm section). Yet another unequivocal indication of the enormous reservoir of musical talent that lies largely untapped and unappreciated in almost every decent-sized metropolitan area in this country. Listen for yourself. -Jack Bowers Cadence, November 1997The James Bazen Quintet...Beneath the mild-mannered exteriors beats the soul of the Blakey-Silver tradition, a rough and tumble side expressed in "Frenzy." - Chuck Berg, Contemporary Currents Jazz Times, February 1994 I feel we will be hearing a lot from and about this East Coast-based talent. The date offers some fast hard swing to a soft funk-rock. The title track is an electronic funk. - Lee Carson California Jazz Now, September 1993 Not a Strange Thing at all...Liked "Monks of The Castle" and "Gentle Breeze." - W.O.B.O. 88.7 Cincinnati, Ohio Good selection and good sounds..."I Thought About You" is really nice with Mike Davis' flugalhorn. The title track is good - Bazen is very talented... - Jack Simpson Jack Simpson's Jazz On The Beach Florida

Location Gaithersburg, MD - USA

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