Composer and alto/tenor saxophonist Glenn Cashman has put out a wonderful big band CD this year, Southland Big Band.  He is the composer on all compositions except “Aguas De Marco” by Antonio Carlos Jobim.   

There are ten selections of meaningful tunes from Cashman about his life experiences.  One, as example, is “Lighthouse Keeping Man” for his good friend Howard Rumsey, who directed many years of famous jazz concerts at the Lighthouse and later Concerts by the Sea.  Another is “Cheryl” for his lovely wife, and “Cooking with Shorty and Coop” (famed trumpeter Shorty Rogers and sax man great, Bob Cooper), who were a main part of the Lighthouse All-Stars during the group’s fame in the late 50s and early 60s.   

The band includes many of the best players in L.A.:  Tom Luer and Rob Hardt (tenor), Bob Efford (bari), and Glenn Cashman (alto) on saxophones; Lee Thornburg, Pete De Sienna, Bob Summers, Ron Stout, and Carl Saunders on trumpets; Andy Martin and Alex Iles on trombones;  Ron Eschete on guitar; Ed Czach on piano/Hammond B-3; Luther Hughes on acoustic bass; and Paul Kreibich on drums.

The music here is swinging and mellow and, of course, has lots of brilliant solos from all of the fifteen members. “Blues in the Tunnel” is a story of Cashman going to a rehearsal in New York and getting literally stuck in Lincoln Tunnel.  Some bopishly-influenced solos come forward from trumpeter Summers, Cashman and then a large, soulful blues-infected solo from Hughes.  A melodically infused number, “Chesapeake Bay” plays well, giving some trumpet predominance in soloing from Thornburg and Gillespie-like bursts in Saunders’ fine solo.   All numbers in this CD are very interesting and make an exploratory listening adventure.  The liner notes are a must-read, telling something of each composition.  Check out CD Baby or www.glenncashman.com for purchasing info.    Definitely recommended. 

Reprinted with permission from the November 2009 issue of LA Jazz Scene.

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