Flounder ... a flat fish other than soles... to struggle clumsily or helplessly ... falter, waver, muddle ...

DULUTH, MN – The answer is clearly no. These musicians are no flounders. But the Big Time Jazz Orchestra poses the question with its new CD, curiously titled Fanfare From Some Flounder?. This unique band has recorded a collection of original big band jazz tunes composed by Aaron Strang, Greg Kehl Moore, Rich Mowers and Brad Bombadier who composed the title song and plays the rustic-voiced bass clarinet parts. This fresh CD was recorded by Eric Swanson on August 19 & 20, 2006.

Like many of the band members, Brad Bombadier has been a community member since his days as a music student at the University of Wisconsin in Superior. He typically plays baritone sax. Bombadier is one of this big band's19 fine jazz musicians. Most of them play with other groups, from rock, pop and jazz groups to the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, and most are music educators of the Twin Ports region. The band has organized itself as a 501(c)3 organization since it is is dedicated to forwarding the genre of jazz while being of service to the community. The band performs regularly to raise money for scholarships at UWS and UMD and to support regional charities such as the new Artist Relief Fund, a pool of money for the emergency needs of artists who find themselves in the immediate need of cash. More information on the Artist Relief Fund can be found at www.artistrelieffund.org.

The ten tunes of the new release are: Cal & Al by Aaron Strang, Sway by Greg Moore, Fanfare from Some Flounder by Brad Bombadier, Bats by Greg Moore, Glimmering by Aaron Strang, Elegy for Mippy II by Bernstein/Aaron Strang, Musette by Aaron Strang, Dawson's Freak by Greg Kehl Moore, Leila W by Montgomery/Aaron Strang and Noviembre by Greg Kehl Moore.

Musicians on the new CD are WOODWINDS: Rich Mowers, Sondra Mowers, Randy Lee, Robert Lee, Greg Kehl Moore, Brad Bombadier, TRUMPETS: Chet Johnson, David Haaverson, Charlie Liebfried, Joe Kasparek, Bob Boman, TROMBONES: Mike Stellmaker, Tim Stratioti, Aaron Strang, Jim Stellmaker, Kurt Hegle, RHYTHM: Ryan Frane, Jordan Pollard, Vince Osborn, Dave Schmalenberger and Darin Bergsven.

The band uses an enlarged percussion section for Fanfare from some Flounder?. The work of the drummer is augmented by the wind players who pick up their second instruments, or their third. Randy Lee plays the guiro, Sondra Mowers plays wood block, Tim Stratioti plays cowbell, there's a tambourine and a cabasa. And trombonist Aaron Strang with his toilet plunger mute adds a comical laughing voice to this piece. Dan Westerlund does a dramatic solo on the trap set. He's the new drummer who has replaced Dave Schmalenberger.

Vince Osborn plays electric bass guitar on this piece. On most tunes he uses his upright bass, but he says “It's the choice of the composer. Flounder has a rock edge....” He says he could tweak the EQ and play it with the upright bass as well but it's a personal call. He explained how the bass guitar gives a more articulate high range than the upright and the musician can play faster material since the notes are closer together on the fretboard. Fanfare From Some Flounder? was a highlight of the show.

I think we should listen to it now: [Click here to download].

The Fregeau Auditorium has had an intensive remodeling lately. It has a new and precise acoustic design, new seating and handicap accessibility, and the new lighting and sound systems are just being tested. The Big Time Jazz Orchestra Fall Concert on November 3, 2006 concert is the first show in the renewed Fregeau Auditorium.

The Big Time Jazz Orchestra, BTJO, donates the proceeds of their concerts to charity. Money from the November 3^rd concert was given to the Artist Relief Fund. Director Peter Spooner told the audience that after 3 years of planning and fund-raising, applications are now being taken and money is being given. There is an ongoing need to collect contributions from the community.

Several Artist Fund board members were there to answer questions about the Fund and discuss the area art scene. Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Director Bob DeArmond spoke about the puzzle of developing the Duluth arts scene so that it attracts more people to events. There were 50-some people attending this concert.

One of the tunes of the new CD is Dawson's Freak, a tune by Greg Kehl Moore. He wrote it for a past student, Kevin Schumal, a band director who now teaches in Dawson, Minnesota. Dr. Moore teaches jazz studies at UW-Superior and is a composer for this and three other songs on the BTJO CD. Randy Lee on tenor sax and Joe Kasparek on trumpet are the featured soloists. Vince Osborne plays bass guitar on this tune. This is a recording from the Big Time Jazz Orchestra Fall Concert in Fregeau Auditorium on November 3, 2006.

For more information about the BTJO see: www.angelfire.com/jazz/btjo