Hard-charging. Powerful. Immersed in the history of their craft and in total command of their instruments. That’s The DIVA Jazz Orchestra – an ensemble of 15 extremely talented and versatile musicians who just happen to be women.

They can’t help it – they were born that way.

Headed by swinging drummer Sherrie Maricle, DIVA exudes the excitement and force found in the tradition of the historic big bands but with an eye towards today’s progressive sound of originality and verve.

With New York as their home base, DIVA performs all over the world playing contemporary, mainstream big band jazz composed and arranged to fit the individual personalities and styles of the musicians themselves.

The inspiration for DIVA came from Stanley Kay, one-time manager and relief drummer for Buddy Rich. In 1990, Kay was conducting a band in which Sherrie Maricle was playing the drums.

Stanley immediately picked up on her extraordinary talent and began to wonder if there were other women players who could perform at the same level.

In 1992 the search was on, and through nationwide auditions the foundation for DIVA was poured. What emerged is the dynamic musical force that holds forth to the present day.

Out now via MCG Jazz, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra has just released a quite extraordinary recording that celebrates 30 years of MCG Jazz.

Entitled DIVA & The Boys, the new eight track album sees DIVA performing alongside jazz greats such as Claudio Roditi (trumpet), Ken Peplowski (clarinet), Jay Ashby (trombone), and the magnificent Marty Ashby (guitar).

1. 'Slipped Disc'
2. 'A Felicidade'
3. 'Deference to Diz'
4. 'Nocturna'
5. 'The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else'
6. 'Piccolo Blues'
7. 'Estate'
8. 'Bucket O' Blues'

The joyous, free flowing and fun 'Slipped Disc' kicks things off perfectly and that's backed by the gentle hipsway of 'A Felicidade,' the upbeat and perky 'Deference to Diz,' and both the laid back 'Nocturna' and the mid-tempo jam 'The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else.'

As you would expect, the music is original, fresh and exciting, and features the boys and DIVA members with equal fire, finesse and swing!

Which perfectly describes the rhythmic one-two shuffle of 'Piccolo Blues, the quietly lush 'Estate,' and then the album rounds out with the big band soiree of 'Bucket O' Blues.'

Packed with high-energy performances inclusive of unique improvisation, spontaneity, and fun, DIVA & The Boys is perfectly timed for your holiday season.

Tired of that "usual festive music," well, to make people warm, fuzzy and happy, put this wonderful CD on and watch their smiles grow and their hips groove along!

The DIVA Jazz Orchestra: Alexa Tarantino - Lead Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet Scheila Gonzales - Alto Saxophone 2, Flute, Clarinet Janelle Reichman - Tenor Saxophone 1, Clarinet Roxy Coss - Tenor Saxophone 2, Flute, Clarinet Leigh Pilzer - Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet Tanya Darby - Lead Trumpet, Flugelhorn Jami Dauber - Trumpet 2, Flugelhorn Rachel Therrien - Trumpet 3, Flugelhorn Barbara Laronga - Trumpet 4, Flugelhorn Jennifer Krupa - Lead Trombone Linda Landis - Trombone 2 Leslie Havens - Bass Trombone Tomoko Ohno - Piano Noriko Ueda - Bass Sherrie Maricle - Drummer, and Leader Stanley Kay - Founder.

Amazon CD Purchase Link

www.divajazz.com