For those unaware, Pony Boy All-Star Big Band is a 16 piece Big Band Jazz with modern orchestrations. It is an amalgam of heritage projects, past players and big band lineage, followed to this present point in time.

It is a current snapshot of new arrangements - informed by the music that has come before, and in tribute to the great players and music that have inspired us and brought us to Now. Both old and new; modern based in tradition.

This 2024 recording features fresh arrangements by members of the band: Greg Williamson, Conner Eisenmenger, Matso Limtiaco, and Keith Karns; and soloists like Jay Thomas, Steve Treseler, Tracy Knoop, Travis Ranney, David Marriott, Brian Shaw, Mike Mines, Chris Fagan, Kandin Neri, Greg Schroeder, Heather Chriscaden and John Hansen.

Recorded over three consecutive monthly Fridays, the last being recorded by Reed Ruddy and his stable of vintage microphones and presented here for your consideration. Groove meets harmony and texture. Oh, and all the music has been sourced from free-range human musicians, recorded live in front of a studio audience.

1. Harrod’s Creek
2. Sabermetric Samba
3. 21st Century
4. Rabin
5. Mr. X
6. All the Things I’m Not
7. Inlet
8. I Fall in Love Too Easily
9. The Ray
10. Geo Rose
11. I Won’t Dance [CD Bonus Track]
12. Bahia [CD Bonus Track]

This joyfully energetic new recording opens on the triumphantly sublime Harrod’s Creek and then brings us the frenetically-charged beauty Sabermetric Samba, before the pace is lowered for both the languishing 21st Century and Rabin to be brought forth, and which are followed by the joyfully perky soul of Mr. X.

Along next is the swinging delights of All the Things I’m Not and the flourishing Inlet, and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the stoically charming I Fall in Love Too Easily, the album rounding out on the upbeat and vivacious The Ray and the swish foot-tapper Geo Rose, closing on two CD-only bonus tracks: the full on I Won’t Dance and the elegant hipsway afforded to Bahia.

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