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Urwin, Gary Urwin, garyurwin, garyurwinjazz, gary Urwin jazz, garyurwin jazz, big band, jazz orchestra, Gordon Goodwin, maria Schneider, bill Holman, trumpet, sax, trombone, tenor sax, alto sax, KLON, WBGO, Gary Irwin, Gary Erwin, Gary Orwin, Orwin, Irwin, Erwin, John Fedchock, woody herman, stan Kenton, schilke, garyerwinjazz, gary erwin jazz, garyerwin jazz, garyirwinjazz, gary irwin jazz, garyirwin jazz, garyorwinjazz, gary orwin jazz, garyorwin jazz, garryurwinjazz, garry urwin jazz, garryurwin jazz, Watrous, Christlieb, Bergeron, shew, wayne Bergeron, bobby shew, Bill Watrous, Pete Christlieb, Christian Jacob, Rickie Woodard, rusty Higgins, Dan Higgins, john Thomas, rick Baptist, warren leuning, warren luening, warren luning, dan fornero, alex iles, andy martin, kindred spirits, living in the moment, perspectives, bakery digital, entourage 5.1, andy waterman, stacy Carson, stacey Carson, jazz bakery, Catalina bar grill, Catalina bar and grill, Catalina jazz club, Catalina bar & grill, Ron King, pat longo, bob Florence, iaje, downbeat, jazz times, jazz review, jazz review.com, all about jazz, allaboutjazz.com, chris Walden, tom kubis, john fick, ogerman, legrand, gil evans, bill evans, miles davis, rob parton, ITG, carl saunders, steve huffstetter, chuck niles, thad jones, toshiko akiyoshi, dave pell, rob mcconnell, buddy rich, oberlin, Charlie loper, trey henry, Ralph razze, bill chase, Conrad gozzo, ernie royal, Bernie glow, bob mintzer, bob brookmeyer, Maynard ferguson, bob belden, progressive jazz, michito sanchez, michito, richie gajate-garcia, Sammy Nestico, don sebesky, john pisano, zan stewart, clayton Hamilton, clayton-hamilton, count basie, basie, duke Ellington, Ellington, strayhorn, Gerald Wilson, bob mintzer, jim McNeely, vanguard jazz orchestra, village vanguard, tim davies, kenichi Tsunoda, rich szabo, frank szabo, jazz arranging, jazz arrangement, big band arranging, big band arrangement, arranger leaders, composer-arranger leaders, ali Ryerson, frank browne


Reviews

Here's what some of the reviewers have been saying about us. We're extremely gratified for these favorable reviews!


Reviews of Our Third CD, "Kindred Spirits"

(With Bill Watrous, Pete Christlieb and the Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra)
• “It is as brilliant as one would expect from these talents.... the repertoire is comprised of veteran standards, but there is nothing tired or predictable about these renditions.... the two lead voices sound inspired throughout, displaying effortless virtuosity and colorful ideas. Fans of straightahead jazz and boppish big bands will certainly enjoy this fine effort.” (L.A. Jazz Scene);


• “The frequent musical conversations between Watrous and Christlieb (trading fours) gives Kindred Spirits a beautiful luster.... Urwin’s keen arrangements provide ample space for his two guests and other soloists to shine while emphasizing the creative interaction of his band’s sections.” (All About Jazz.com) (see full review here);


• “...Gary Urwin is one heck of an arranger. His charts for his third CD, though solidly in the modern-mainstream-big-band tradition, use traditional elements in fresh, imaginative ways.... the extraordinary soloists [Pete Christlieb and Bill Watrous] more than do them justice. With saxophonist Kim Richmond, trumpeter Wayne Bergeron and trombonist Charlie Loper as section leaders and a rhythm section of pianist Christian Jacob, guitarist Frank Browne, bassist Trey Henry and drummer Ralph Razze, the personnel couldn’t be more illustrious.” (Jazz Times) (see full review here);


• “The third CD by what has become one of the big bands to watch for.... As an arranger Gary has to be considered among the best around.... The ensemble writing is spectacular (a particular strength of the arranger) and performed beautifully.” (“Mainly Big Bands” website [UK]) (see full review here);


• “West Coast composer/arranger Gary Urwin has assembled a big band of the finest studio players and jazz artists from the Los Angeles area for this, his third CD. This collection of fresh interpretations of standard tunes from the jazz and American songbook idioms features two veteran virtuoso jazz soloists .... In addition to the excellent writing and playing of the band all through this album, of special interest to trumpet players are three all-too-short solo appearances by Bobby Shew, who makes his presence felt on Beautiful Love, My Foolish Heart, and Jobim's No More Blues. I don't think you can find a stronger trumpet section than the one here, led by Wayne Bergeron. His work is superior throughout. [] I thoroughly enjoyed hearing this exciting band and look forward to their next release.”
(International Trumpet Guild [ITG] Journal) (see full review here);


• “If you thought the Big Band idiom was dead and buried, think again! [Watrous and Christlieb] are playing at the top of their game and are given splendid vehicles to blow on by arranger Urwin.... Stars!! And many congratulations.” (Jazz 24/7) (see full review here);


• “Watrous and Christlieb [perform with] complex and delightful interplay.... The listener can tell that every member of the orchestra is engaged in providing the best possible performance....Even though Watrous and Christlieb inspired Urwin and created the consistent theme for the recording, the uniqueness of Urwin’s arrangements, steeped in the jazz tradition but still characterized by his own sense of fun, make each of his successive albums models of unpredictable pleasures...” (Jazz Review.com) (see full review here);


• “[C]omposer/arranger and bandleader Gary Urwin is one of the few individuals who can make the music come alive through his masterful arrangements.... The band is first-rate and the dynamic duo of Watrous and Christlieb deliver a sparkling performance. Kindred Spirits is a must for enthusiasts of the genre.” (ejazz News) (see full review here);


• “The talented arranger Gary Urwin has an uncanny ability, like Bill Holman, to write arrangements that swing quite naturally and uplift the listener's spirits. Urwin's arrangements never lose sight of the tune's basic structure and never go too far out. Yet they also manage to avoid the obvious.... Watrous and Christlieb weave in and out of every arrangement making impressive and often moving solo statements and showing why they are among the finest soloists in jazz today.... Every track here has much to recommend it.... 'Kindred Spirits' is a swinging and very enjoyable big-band CD, and warmly recommended.” (User Review on Amazon.com) (see full review here);


• “Fabulous big band setting featuring two of today's best improvisors.... This is a marvelous big band recording that provides many different moods and tonal colors for two brilliant soloists. The arrangements are masterful and the band personnel is a veritable who's who of first call west coast players. A must have CD for lovers of big band music.” (User Review on CD Baby) (see full review here);


• “I can hardly imagine a way that this album could get any better.” (User Review on emusic.com) (see full review here).



Reviews of Our Second CD, "Living In The Moment"
• “a breathtaking follow-up session that bristles with energy, intelligence and class.... Urwin leads an all-star ensemble of Southern California’s most accomplished sidemen through a wide-ranging program of striking standards and outstanding originals ... masterfully arranged every number....” (All About Jazz.com) (see full review here);


• “Sublime. If that word can be used to describe a big band jazz album, it is appropriate here.... Gary Urwin pens arrangements that recognize the heritage of Pete Rugolo, Sauter-Finnegan, and Gil Evans with 21st Century enhancements of daring harmony, adventurous instrumentation, and innovative musical ideas. It is difficult to isolate outstanding moments, as every track features wonderful arrangements performed with the consummate ease of these first-call studio musicians.... a delicious treat for big band fans.” (International Trumpet Guild [ITG] Journal) (see full review here);


• “There’s so much fire and color here, provided by this creative arranger/composer and his Los Angeles-based orchestra.... innovative and multi-faceted ... proves that the West Coast big band tradition of Bob Florence (who participated in the liner notes), Bill Holman, Tom Kubis and others continues on with the Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra.” (Jazz Review.com) (see full review here);


• “[O]ne of the better big-band albums of the early 21st century.” (Scott Yanow, All Music Guide) (see full review here);


• “a dazzling showcase for [Gary’s] prodigious talents, compelling evidence of which can be found on every track”; “a phalanx of world-class soloists who run hard on every play and never drop the ball.” (Cadence);


• And perhaps most succinctly, in a consumer review of Living in the Moment on Amazon.com: “The best big band I’ve ever heard.” (see full review here).

Reviews of Our First CD, "Perspectives"
• “Color this debut auspicious.” (Jazz Times) (see full review here);


• “A veritable who’s who among the Los Angeles area’s most accomplished studio and big-band artists.” (Cadence);


• “Novel scoring, fine driving playing and top class soloing all make for an excellent issue in the big band genre.” (Jazz Journal International);


• “Gary Urwin just happens to be the freshest thing that's happened to big band composition and arranging since Bill Holman was in knickers.” (User Review on Amazon.com) (see full review here);


• “Just when you think that you have heard just about everything a big band can offer, along comes a Gary Urwin with a few fresh ideas to reinvigorate one’s interest. I guess that’s why big band music is not likely to ever die.” (All About Jazz.com) (see full review here).





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