Jack Kilby: Love is a Song Anyone Can Sing

Kilby shows his diverse and open ears with his outstanding arrangement of “Jupiter” from Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets. Jupiter is the Bringer of Jollity and Kilby taps into the theme and brings a joyful arrangement that has multiple sections. Joining the band is Antonio Hart on alto saxophone, Peter Del Grosso on french horn, and Marcus Tenney on trumpet. Hart’s solo statement is epic. The band follows him as he pushes the energy higher and higher. The creativity of this band is outstanding; everyone involved is technically skilled and speaks a wide-ranging language of jazz. The addition of french horn was a great choice and adds to the ensemble color, especially in the main themes of the movement.
Overall, Love is a Song Anyone Can Sing is as diverse as the title suggests. Love is certainly a subjective emotion that speaks to each individual differently. Kilby has constructed a well-oiled large ensemble to carry out his spectacular ideas with panache. From a re-imagination by vocalist Christie Dashiell on the R&B inspired “Pure Imagination,” to “Colors of The Wind,” which also features Mark G Meadows on piano and Braxton Cook on flute, to Front Line members performing an humorous ode to Lester Young, the album adds up to a delightful listen from beginning to end. Love is a Song Anyone Can Sing certainly is a strong and meaningful debut by Jack Kilby and the Front Line.
Track Listing: Micah Robinson Introduces; Love Is a Song Anyone Can Sing; With Love from Kris Monson; Hipsippy Blues; With Love from Sam Blakelock; Pure Imagination; With Love from The House Band; A Tribute to Someone; More Love from The House Band; Sensitive Like Ladies; Even More Love from The House Band; Life in a Glasshouse; A Bridge Between; Driftin’; With Love from Ian Dansey; Jupiter; With Love from Mark G. Meadows; Colors of the Wind; More Love from Ian Dansey; Pure Imagination; Micah Robinson Concludes.
Personnel: Jack Kilby: drums, bandleader; Kris Monson: bass; Allyn Johnson piano; John D’earth: trumpet; Charles Owens: tenor saxophone; Elad Cohen trombone; Antonio Hart: soprano and alto saxophones; Christie Dashiell: vocalist; Soloman Howard: vocalist; Micah Robinson: vocalist; Braxton Cook: flute; Mark G. Meadows: piano; Marcus Tenney: trumpet; Peter Del Grosso: french horn.
Title: Love is a Song Anyone Can Sing | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Crab Shack Music