Reviews of Our Fourth CD, "A Beautiful Friendship"

(With Bill Watrous, Pete Christlieb, Carl Saunders and the Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra)

• "Sometimes, just when it seems things couldn't possibly get any better, they do. That is certainly the case with A Beautiful Friendship, the spectacular new recording by arranger Gary Urwin's superlative southern California-based Jazz Orchestra.

Urwin has upped the ante and pulled out all the stops on this one, not only re-enlisting Christlieb and Watrous ... but enlivening the menu with yet another appetizing component, namely Carl Saunders, one of the most versatile and creative jazz trumpeters on the planet.  Saunders had to bring his 'A' game, as Christlieb and Watrous match him stride for stride and note for note, lending special warmth and charm to their feature numbers.…

While heaping praise on the soloists, one should not lose sight of the fact that this is a world-class ensemble with superb craftsmen in every chair. Together they make A Beautiful Friendship one of the more impressive big-band albums in recent memory. A rating of less than five stars? Out of the question.” (All About Jazz.com) (see full review here); 

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•  "The Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra raises the bar for big band music across the globe…. an extraordinary level of performance that very few large ensembles can touch….. [a] lyrical sense of purpose that other big bands seem to miss....Gary Urwin's arrangements are right on point as the harmonic heat goes through the roof.” (Critical Jazz.com) (see full review here);

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•  "Gary Urwin cements his reputation as one of Los Angeles’ top arrangers on A Beautiful Friendship … His charts are swinging and challenging, melodic and unpredictable. His 19-piece orchestra gives the music plenty of spirit. … Throughout the program there are many bright moments from the soloists and the ensembles, making A Beautiful Friendship a must for fans of straight ahead modern big bands.” (L.A. Jazz Scene) (see full review here);

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•  ”Los Angeles is home to many big bands.  Among the best of them is the Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra …. The band is comprised of the crème de la crème of players on the L.A. scene….  [The soloists are] all giants on their instruments.  The arrangements are by Urwin, and they reflect why he is so highly regarded by players and listeners alike …. With a leader/arranger like Urwin, players like those on this band, and great tunes, this is an album that will cause big band enthusiasts to grin from ear to ear as they enjoy it."  (Jersey Jazz Journal);

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•  "This is one of the best albums I have heard in years. The solos and the arrangements are superb.” (User Review on Amazon.com) (see full review here);

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• "Super album! Great arrangements and great soloists!” (User Review on Amazon.com) (see full review here); 

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• "Sizzling hot playing facilitated by brilliant arrangements! You will want to play this over and over again.” (User Review on Amazon.com) (see full review here); 
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•  "West Coast swing at its best … stellar soloists and guest artists…. The music on this CD is rich and full as only a well formed swing orchestra can be.” (WUMR, The Jazz Lover) (see full review here); 

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•  "Outstanding musicians are featured on this new CD including tenor sax master Pete Christlieb, trombonist extraordinaire Bill Watrous, and the hugely talented and under-recognized trumpeter Carl Saunders.... And other great talents.  I've used the word 'outstanding' three times and 'great' twice so you get the idea.” (SDPB, Jazz Notes, South Dakota Public Broadcasting);

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•  A Beautiful Friendship has been named in jazz journalist Scott Yanow’s authoritative 25 Top Jazz CDs of 2014 (see full description here) and in SDPB’s Top 40 Jazz Releases of 2014 (see full listing here).

(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);

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• "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);

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• "...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);

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• "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);

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• "I don't think you can find a stronger trumpet section than the one here, led by Wayne Bergeron. His work is superior throughout." (International Trumpet Guild [ITG] Journal) (see full review here);

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• "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. (International Trumpet Guild [ITG] Journal) (see full review here);

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• "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);

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• "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....[T]he 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);

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• "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);

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• "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);

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•  "This may be the finest big band since the Tonight Show Band headed by Doc Severinsen. Soloists Bill Watrous (my all-time favorite jazz trombonist) and tenor sax man Pete Christlieb are in top form and lead trumpeter Wayne Bergeron is always 'right on.'  But, the centerpiece of this album are the arrangements. This is large ensemble writing of the highest caliber, played by the best musicians, wonderfully recorded. Track 4, Beautiful Love, should be nominated for a Grammy itself. Buy this and play it loud!"(User Review on iTunes) (see full review here);

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•  "If this isnt the best Jazz big band album of the year, I dont know which one is. Tight, crisp, great solos and it swings." (User Review on iTunes) (see full review here);

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• "Watrous is the best! The phrasing, tone, intonation...can go on and on about the virtuosity. The best part is the emotion that his music brings. Even when I play his records for non-jazz lovers they love it." (User Review on iTunes) (see full review here);

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•  "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);
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• "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);
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• "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);

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

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• "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);

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• 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);

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

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

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• "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);

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• "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).