Derrick, Frank
Jazzed Media, 2008, CD
Instrument: Drums
Issue: 14.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Swing
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Drummer Derrick leads a swinging quintet and a large ensemble through a dozen classics. They open blazing on “Away We Go”. This is high-energy music that makes you want to move. The brass plays with precision punctuating the performance and supplying strength when needed. There are unique arrangements of “The Beat Goes On”, “Summertime” and “My Fair Lady” that make them good fits in this set. We also liked their cover Brubeck’s “Blue Rondo A La Turk”. Frank doesn’t let us forget that he’s leading this effort, adding brief but memorable drum solos and keeping the meter exact all the way through.
Publicist: Jazzed Media
