Warfield, Bill
Planet Arts, 2020, CD
Instrument: Trumpet
Issue: 27.2
Jazz Ruler Type: BigBand
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 77
Trumpeter and bandleader Bill Warfield leads a funky big band called the Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra. They get funky and have a good time doing it on Smile, while vocalist Julie Michaels tempers the title track helping to balance the set. Jane Stuart sings a fresh take of “Ode to Billie Joe” featuring Lou Marini (t-sax); the band swings on “Cucumber Slumber”, and Cecilia Coleman (p, vocals) stars on “Rainbow Connection”. The solos are plentiful and powerful throughout the set.
Publicist: Terri Hinte