(Hot Shoe Worldwide)

Composer Ted Howe pushes the big band sound forward on his latest release. Pinnacle features Howe’s excellent compositions in a large ensemble setting making the music swing, groove and bend in ways that you don’t expect in this genre. The tunes and the arrangements are fresh and engaging. Bassist John Patitucci is featured among the outstanding talents on this effort. Howe plays piano on a couple of the tracks and gives way to Geoff Haydon who plays piano and Rhodes throughout most of the recording. Other talents in the rhythm section include Marlon Patton on drums, Dan Baraszu on guitars and Jose Ramirez on percussion. The outstanding brass and reed players include Sam Skelton, Mike Barry, Don Erdman, Lester Walker, Melvin Jones, Lester Walker, Wes Funderburk, Tom Gibson, Andy Martin, Seth Keuhn and Francisco Torres. A top notch effort from start to finish.