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Customer Reviews of Fast Track

Some Serious Jazz Arranging Chops - An Outstanding CD
In his liner notes to Jack Cortner's debut big band CD "Fast Track", Doug Ramsey invites the listener to "meet Jack Corter, one of the best band arrangers you've never heard." After hearing this scintillating CD, I am tempted to remove the designation "one of." One thing for sure is that after hearing this CD by Jack Cortner's New York Big Band (which is totally unrelated to John Fedchock's New York Big Band), you'll be wanting to hear more. <
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>Jack Cortner has been active on the New York music scene since the mid- 60's as a trumpeter but mostly as a Broadway composer/orchestrator/arranger. On the New York scene Cortner developed close musical relationships with top musicians, many of whom are in the band he assembled for the CD's three sessions recorded in 2004, 2005, and 2006. One of Cortner's tightest musical relationships is with the top-tier trumpeter/fluegelhornist Marvin Stamm who is the principal soloist throughout the CD. The other first-rate soloists on the CD are pianist Bill Mays, trombonist Jim Pugh and saxophonist Dave Tofani. <
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>Cortner's broad musical experience has served him well. He seems to have been gathering and storing up a great deal of musical know-how over the years and it all comes forth on "Fast Track". You cannot hear this CD without thinking, "this guy has some serious jazz arranging chops." Cortner's arranging style certainly reflects his love for the Woody Herman Herd. This influence is obvious on the opening track "Who's `at Talkin," which swings hard and lifts the listener's spirits immediately. The shout chorus really roars! The superbly recorded rhythm section (Mays, bassist Jay Anderson and drummer John Riley) is in a hard swinging pocket on this track and throughout the CD. A similar brand of hard driving big band swing is heard on the following "Softly, as In a Morning Sunrise", and then the CD moves into the beautiful "Ballad for Betsy" which showcases Stamm and a gorgeous trombone solo by Pugh. "Etude" is no dry study but another hard swinging number beginning over Riley's brushes before swinging with a Latin feel. Bill Mays is featured extensively on this track, along with saxophonist Tofani. And this is the way the CD continues to unfold until the end, a perfect balance of tempos, standards and originals. Cortner has the ability to write interesting charts that always swing no matter what the tempo. The title tune reminds me of the sophisticated drive of the famous Clarke-Boland Big Band. A Basie influence is apparent on the slinky, late-night "Slowdown", as well as on the bright and surprisingly up-tempo "On The Trail". The CD ends on a quiet but deeply satisfying note as Marvin Stamm interprets "Lover Man" over a subdued backing. Not enough can be said about Marvin Stamm's contribution to this CD. He is truly one of the outstanding trumpeters in the world today and adds immeasurably to the CD's success. The ensemble work is tight throughout, with each section getting a chance to shine and adding to the overall texture and impact of the band. <
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>"Fast Track" is an instantly accessible CD, yet contains enough musical twists and turns to engage the listener fully and invite repeat hearings. This highly recommended CD is truly an outstanding effort by Jack Cortner and his assembled musicians. Thanks to Graham Carter and Jazzed Media for having the good taste to package and release this very well recorded 58 minute CD. Beyond question, "Fast Track" is going to one of the top straight ahead jazz CD's of 2007.