TOM KUBIS BIG BAND

TOM KUBIS BIG BAND

Slightly Off The Ground

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

Tom Kubis' first recording as a leader is quite impressive. His arranging chops were already in their prime, his big band uses similar personnel to the one in existence more than a dozen years later, and he makes several standards (along with a few originals) sound fresh and lively. Jack Sheldon helps out on "Play It Again Sam" (during which he quickly sums up the entire plot of Casablanca), "Who Can I Turn To," "Which Craft?," and "Alexander's Big Time Band," while trombonist Bill Watrous takes warm and heated solos on "Slightly Off the Ground" and a relaxed "When You're Smiling." The band swings hard, Kubis sounds fine on tenor and soprano, and the ensemble has a recognizable identity. For Tom Kubis, this was an impressive start to a productive career.

Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Kevin Axt

Alto Saxophone, Keyboards – Matt Catingub

Arranged By – Tom Kubis

Drums – Matt Johnson (36)

Guitar – Mike Higgins*

Saxophone – Bill Liston, Dan Higgins, Gordon Goodwin, Greg Huckins, Paul Baker (12)

Soloist, Saxophone – Tom Kubis (tracks: 1, 7, 8, 9)

Soloist, Trombone – Bill Watrous (tracks: 5, 10)

Soloist, Trumpet – Jack Sheldon (tracks: 4, 6, 12)

Trombone – Alex Iles, Andy Martin, Charlie Moralis*, Rich Bullock*

Trumpet – Charlie Peterson (2), Dan McGurn, George Graham (2), Stan Martin, Wayne Bergeron