BRASSTRONOMICAL
THE HEAVYWEIGHTS BRASS BAND
Lula World Records
FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS
When The Heavyweights Brass Band came onto the scene three
years ago, they were a force to be reckoned with in the Toronto jazz
scene. Fresh out of college, they
formed a band that has emerged into one of the most popular independent groups
in Toronto jazz and has managed to sell out Koerner Hall, jazz festivals, and
the like with its original, funky brand of New Orleans jazz.
On their first album, “Heavyweight Don’t Bring Me Down”, it
was a very imaginative jazz party album filled with original groovy music and
takes on pop classics from Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Bill Withers, and even Justin
Bieber. This time around, The
Heavyweights bring a much original, jazzier vibe to the mix, even adding a
sixth member to add colour and texture to the classic sound.
Trumpeters Jon Challoner and John Pittman, Trombonist
Christopher Butcher, Saxophonist Paul Metcalfe, Sousaphonist Rob Teehan and
drummer Lowell Whitty could very well be one of the most talented young guys
under 30 who play jazz. At the same
time, they lead the sexiest band in jazz in which they could even do a GQ or
Esquire shot.
This has got to be one of the most soulful, fresh albums in
Canadian music to ever come out in 2014.
Brasstronomical is a hip-hop influenced track that echoes the influence
of Trombone Shorty. “I Believe I Can
Fly” is a slick take on a pop song that also pays homage to Lester Bowie’s
Brass Fantasy recordings where they do brass jazz arrangements of popular
hits. They even bring guest stars Jane
Bunnett and Giovanni Hidalgo to bring Latin spice into the Heavyweights sound
(“Misterioso” and the rousing closer “Float”, with a nod to “Picking Up the
Pieces”). My favourite track: their take on the Erykah Badu Classic
“Telephone”, which was moody, jazzy, and soulful at the same time.
“Brasstronomical” could very well kick off the year by
making this a contender for 2014 Canadian album of the year.
HEAVYWEIGHTS OFFICAL WEB SITE
SOUND CLOUD
https://soundcloud.com/heavyweights-brass-band
Here is an interview of the Heavyweights Brass Band in July of 2011.
Here is an interview of the Heavyweights Brass Band in July of 2011.
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