Live at the Ritz Additional Info

Just as on Dave's previous "live" recording, you get to hear Dave's intros of the tunes, the applause and whistles and clinking of glasses. All the ambience of a "live" gig as Dave's PA band makes its recording debut. Included are two of Maynard's charts and 4 originals along with arrangements of 5 other pieces. The band carries you through the spectrum of big band jazz from the ballads to contemporary grooves and straight ahead jazz.

SELECTIONS:

1st Half:

First Bite
An original from the pen of chief arranger, Todd Fronauer, set to a Latin groove, featuring solos by Todd on valve bone, Steve Fieldhouse on tenor sax, Dave on trumpet and the lead alto of Dave Shultz. The ensemble cumulates with an exciting end to this opening piece.
As Long As He Needs Me
From the Maynard recording "The Ballad Style of Maynard Ferguson", this transcription and adaption by Todd Fronauer brings Keith Mansfield's beautiful treatment of this tune to the big band setting . Of course Dave pays tribute and homage to Maynard through his recording of this and other Maynard charts.
Concubine
Another original by Todd Fronauer. He has some crazy titles that he pens but his charts certainly aren't wacky. This is set to a contemporary groove and features Fieldhouse, Shultz on soprano sax and Dave on flugel along with some high trumpet octaves provided by Dave's lead trumpeter, Craig Kenney.
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
This Elton John tune is another tribute to Maynard. Played many times as part of the Maynard hit medley. It was never actually recorded by Ferguson. This transcription of Jay Chattaway's chart also features the fiery trombone of Dale DeVoe - Dave's special guest for the date and member of Dave's NY band. Dale recorded on the other "live " album and has been a long time friend of Dave's.
Squib Cakes
Tower of Power's chart as arranged by Todd Fronauer with features for the trumpet section- get ready for some high notes - tenor sax of Howard Boots, the cooking bari sax of Vic Wertz, piano of Mike Moran and a hot duel between the rhythm section cohorts of Rob Cochran on electric bass and the drums of Lew Leabman.

2nd Half:

The Love Of A Rose
An arrangement by Todd Fronauer of this latin piece that features Steve Fieldhouse and Todd along with Dave and a drum solo send off by Leabman to an exciting ensemble passage capped by a high note ending.
Checking For Bees
One of those quirky titles of Fronauer's but this piece kind of merits it. A fast modern jazz number with trading solos by Dave, Steve and Dale followed by Moran on piano and then the drums of Lew sets up a difficult romp out by the band. Meter shifts from 7/4 to 4/4 and a sizzling ending. By far the toughest piece of the night for the band.
Stars Fell On Alabama
Beautiful ballad as arranged by Bob Mulligan for the band. Dave featured on this arrangement.
Pensativa
The Clare Fischer tune that has always been a favorite of Dave's. Asked to do an arrangement of this tune, Todd Fronauer came through with a great effort. Solos by Dale and Dave wrapped by an interesting and creative ensemble accompaniment.
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
The Joe Zawinul tune done by many big bands, most notably Buddy Rich.
Todd gives his own treatment here in a slower funky style, with solos by Moran, Wertz, Dan Hoover on tenor sax, Rob Cochran and Dave leading into the out statement with an ending that features some super human notes by Craig Kenney on lead trumpet. Those are smokin' "A's"!
What On Earth
The finale to the evening and a great way to go home. A captivating, infectious original piece by Todd Fronauer. Bob Stoyko on trumpet, Vic Wertz on bari, Todd Fronauer on valve bone, and Dave on trumpet are all interspersed with incredible bass solo sendoffs by Rob Cochran which all leads to an extended Buddy Richesque solo by Lew Leabman. Trumpet octaves abound during the piece and all is capped with a hot ending to this piece and the evening.

THE BAND:

Leader / Trumpet / Flugelhorn: Dave Stahl

Trumpet / Flugelhorn: Craig Kenney, Dave Buffington, Bob Stoyko, Dave Brumbaugh
Trombone: Dale DeVoe, Scott Rhoads
Valve Trombone: Todd Fronauer
Bass Trombone: John McKelvey
Saxes: Dave Shultz - alto / soprano, Steve Fieldhouse - tenor / flute, Howard Boots - tenor / flute,
Dan Hoover - tenor / flute, Vic Wertz - bari / flute
Drums: Lew Leabman
Piano: Mike Moran
Electric / String Bass: Rob Cochran

First Bite An original from the pen of chief arranger, Todd Fronauer, set to a Latin groove, featuring solos by Todd on valve bone, Steve Fieldhouse on tenor sax, Dave on trumpet and the lead alto of Dave Shultz. The ensemble cumulates with an exciting end to this opening piece.

2nd Half:

The Love Of A Rose An arrangement by Todd Fronauer of this latin piece that features Steve Fieldhouse and Todd along with Dave and a drum solo send off by Leabman to an exciting ensemble passage capped by a high note ending.

Stars Fell On Alabama Beautiful ballad as arranged by Bob Mulligan for the band. Dave featured on this arrangement.

Pensativa The Clare Fischer tune that has always been a favorite of Dave's. Asked to do an arrangement of this tune, Todd Fronauer came through with a great effort. Solos by Dale and Dave wrapped by an interesting and creative ensemble accompaniment.

First Bite
An original from the pen of chief arranger, Todd Fronauer, set to a Latin groove, featuring solos by Todd on valve bone, Steve Fieldhouse on tenor sax, Dave on trumpet and the lead alto of Dave Shultz. The ensemble cumulates with an exciting end to this opening piece.

The Love Of A Rose
An arrangement by Todd Fronauer of this latin piece that features Steve Fieldhouse and Todd along with Dave and a drum solo send off by Leabman to an exciting ensemble passage capped by a high note ending.

Stars Fell On Alabama
Beautiful ballad as arranged by Bob Mulligan for the band. Dave featured on this arrangement.

Pensativa
The Clare Fischer tune that has always been a favorite of Dave's. Asked to do an arrangement of this tune, Todd Fronauer came through with a great effort. Solos by Dale and Dave wrapped by an interesting and creative ensemble accompaniment.