Secret Love

• Artist: Ashley Alexander's Big Band
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1981
• Type: Instrumental
• Genre: Jazz

Review

An important educator and a fluid soloist on the double trombone (a two-belled instrument, one bell of which was usually muted), Ashley Alexander was a popular figure in the jazz education movement of the 1980s. On this CD, he is featured with two different big bands, performing arrangements mostly by Frank Mantooth. In addition to Alexander, the key soloists include flügelhornist Dave Alexander, Gordon Goodwin on tenor, and altoist Matt Catingub. The songs (mostly standards plus Mantooth's "Mixolydian Soul Frog," "Latin Schizophrenia," and "Stone Lizard" plus Phil Wilson's "It Mostly Bees That Way, Sigmund Floyd") are straight-ahead and played with plenty of spirit and enthusiasm. This now-obscure disc will be enjoyed by fans of modern big bands. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Credits

Ashley Alexander (Sax (Baritone)), Ashley Alexander (Trumpet), Ashley Alexander (Trombone)