PRAT BROTHERS BIG BAND FEATURING ROBERTA GAMBARINI - 16 Men And A CHick SIngingg

"Cup of Life" (AKA, "The Cup Bearers"), 

Big bands may no longer regularly touring extensively across the U.S., but there are still musicians like brothers Dean Pratt (trumpet) and Michael Pratt (drums) who can put together an exciting band for a studio date. They devour Ernie Wilkins' swinging "Big Bad Basie" whole, offering a percolating take of Hank Mobley's "Old World New Imports" and a loping "Falling in Love with Love," another Wilkins arrangement. In addition to the leaders' outstanding solos, featured artists include pianist Ronnie Mathews, tenor saxophonist Willie Williams, and trumpeter Don Sickler (all veterans of T.S. Monk's band and occasionally leaders themselves), along with bassist Chip Jackson (Billy Taylor Trio) and trombonist Scott Whitfield (who has recorded several CDs of his own). Vocalist Roberta Gambarini's on-the-money vocals are added on several tracks, including a lush "Skylark," Michael Abene's inventive arrangement of "Cup of Life" (Tom McIntosh's gorgeous melody "The Cup Bearers" with lyrics by Meredith d'Ambrosio), and Kenny Dorham's little known ballad "Fair Weather." Highly recommended.
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Michael Abene     Arranger, Assistant
Ernie Wilkins     Arranger, Composer
Wayne Coniglio     Arranger, Main Personnel, Soloist, Trombone (Bass)
Don Piestrup     Arranger
Rich Shemaria     Arranger
Chip Jackson     Bass, Bass Instrument, Main Personnel, Soloist
Ben Rubin     Bass
Michael Pratt     Drums, Leader, Main Personnel, Mixing, Soloist
Dean Pratt     Leader, Liner Notes, Main Personnel, Mixing, Soloist, Trumpet, Trumpet (Muted)
Ronnie Mathews     Main Personnel, Piano, Soloist
Roberta Gambarini     Main Personnel, Primary Artist, Vocals
Alan Gauvin     Main Personnel, Sax (Alto), Saxophone
Marc Phaneuf     Main Personnel, Sax (Alto)
David Schumacher     Main Personnel, Sax (Baritone), Soloist
Willie Williams     Main Personnel, Sax (Tenor), Soloist
Mike Karn     Main Personnel, Sax (Tenor)
Rick Stepton     Main Personnel, Soloist, Trombone
Scott Whitfield     Main Personnel, Soloist, Trombone
Joe Mosello     Main Personnel, Soloist, Trumpet
Don Sickler     Main Personnel, Soloist, Trumpet
Danny Cahn     Main Personnel, Trumpet
Ross Konikoff     Main Personnel, Trumpet
Frank Driggs     Photography
Chuck Stewart     Photography
Pratt Brothers Big Band     Primary Artist