Elliot Deutsch Big Band

From Bob's Beat, July 2010

ELLIOT DEUTSCH BIG BAND AT VITELLO'S

Trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer, arranger Elliot Deutsch presented his young, new Big Band at Vitello's.  Deutsch has a new CD out, titled Weeknight Music, which is self-released.  It's always amazing how a big band can fit so well in the upstairs room at Vitello's but it works.  The band was in top form, consisting of some very fine, young players that included: Walt Simonsen, Bijon Watson, Jon Bradley, Brian Owen - trumpets; Mike Briones, Erm Navarro, Paul Young, Steve Hughes - trombones; Stephan Cardenas, Ken Moran, Will Vargas, Nate Ketner, Jimmy Emerzian - saxes; Dan Marschak - piano, A.J. Polidoro - bass and Adam Alesi - drums.

"There Will Never Be Another You" was a tribute to Chet Baker, arranged by Deutsch, who played the trumpet solo beautifully.  He was followed by a mighty trombone solo from Dr. Paul Young.  The sax ensemble work was very fine then Deutsch took the tune out.  The next tune, written by Simonsen, was dedicated to the late trumpeter, Bill Armstrong.  Marschak was powerful at the piano and Emerzian and Simonsen were also given solo spots.  The piece roared with excitement, powered by Alesi's swinging drumming.  Deutsch played the trumpet on the pretty ballad, "The Nearness of You."  Once again the band exploded with energy and excitement on this arrangement.  I really liked their rendition.  "Rhythm Challenge," from their new CD, featured Moran on a tenor solo and a t-bone solo from Navarro.  The tune burned at a rapid fire pace.

Dr. Paul Young arranged "Reflections" and his smooth, lush sounding trombone was a pure delight.  Emerzian was also in fine form on his tenor sax.  Young took the tune out, with pretty ensemble playing behind him.  The crowd loved it.  "Nunda Bar," written by Brian Owen, started out with Simonsen playing his trumpet in a beautiful brass choir style.  Marschak's piano added a gospel sound, then the tune went into swinging mode, with crisp ensemble work.  Owen got in some trumpet licks before the tune went into the church choir effect before the ending.  "Take the A-Train," arranged by Deutsch, was a strong and solid romp for the whole band.  Deutsch added his impeccable trumpet for good measure.  Another swinger, "Home," started with Marschak's piano in an easy, mellow way as the band showed their wonderful ensemble work.  Emerzian, again, contributed a strong tenor solo and Watson also added a strong trumpet solo.  This was a fine showing by a young group of players.  I want to thank April Williams, who books Vitello's, for giving this band a chance to be heard at Vitello's.  More and more, Vitello's is becoming the hot spot in L.A., with their variety of musical styles all month and special guests, such as Eddie Daniels, who played two nights there in June.

-Bob Comden