BOB FLORENCE - Eternal Licks and Grooves

Complete Recording

Bob Florence has built a reputation as a solid arranger and composer who has amassed quite a discography that extended nearly a half-century by the time this studio recording was made in the spring of 2006. Leading an all-star West Coast-based big band sprinkled with a few guest soloists, the pianist starts things off with his imaginative "Eternal Licks & Grooves," an IAJE-commissioned work saluting Count Basie that utilizes a repeated lick from Basie's "One O'Clock Jump" but not in a traditional swing setting. Claude Debussy's French Impressionist work "Claire de Lune" seems like a brand new composition after Florence applies his master strokes on the charts for his band, transforming it from a quiet ballad to an upbeat cooker. Branislaw Kaper's "Invitation" is a favorite of singers and instrumentalists alike, typically played in a bossa nova setting; Florence's approach is more reserved, gaining steam gradually and providing an excellent solo showcase for tenor saxophonist Jeff Driskill and trumpeter Steve Huffsteter. Finally, "Appearing in Cleveland" serves as a finale, saluting bandleader Stan Kenton and incorporating several of his most famous compositions in aFlorence's imaginative extended suite. Highly recommended! This CD was nominated in 2007 for a Grammy award as Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.
AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden

Kim Richmond     Alto, Clarinet, Soloist, Soprano, Woodwind
Don Shelton     Alto, Clarinet, Soloist, Soprano, Woodwind
Bob Florence     Arranger, Composer, Liner Notes, Piano, Primary Artist, Soloist
Bob Carr     Baritone, E Flat Clarinet, Soloist, Woodwind
Trey Henry     Bass, Soloist
Jeff Driskill     Clarinet, Sax (Tenor), Soloist, Woodwind
Tom Peterson     Clarinet, Sax (Tenor), Soloist, Woodwind
Billy Kerr     Clarinet, Sax (Tenor), Woodwind
Peter Erskine     Drums, Guest Artist, Soloist
Steve Huffsteter     Flugelhorn, Soloist, Trumpet
Ron Stout     Flugelhorn, Soloist, Trumpet
Pete DeSiena     Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Larry Lunetta     Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Lee Thornberg     Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Scott Whitfield     Guest Artist, Soloist, Trombone
Carl Saunders     Guest Artist, Soloist, Trumpet
Larry Koonse     Guitar, Soloist
Alexander Isles     Soloist, Trombone
Bob McChesney     Soloist, Trombone
Craig Gosnell     Trombone (Bass)
Charles Loper     Trombone