Joe Syrian, veteran drummer and leader of the Motor City Jazz Octet, offers a refreshing, classics-oriented, eclectic set of American pop standards from the AOR greats of the 20th century like the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Earth Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, and Stevie Wonder.

“Popular music resonates with people and works for many audiences,” Syrian says simply. “We just take that and mold it to our unique framework.”

And he has the best men for the job in pianist Adam Birnbaum, guitarist Paul Bollenback, acoustic and electric bassist Lorin Cohen, trombonist Doug Beavers, alto and baritone saxophonist Carl Maraghi, and trumpeter and flugelhornist Nick Marchionne. (Tenor saxophonist Tim Reis, and tenor saxophonist and bass clarinetist Dave Reikenberg, each appear on a handful of tracks).

Along with Birnbaum and Beavers, Dave Hanson, John Fedchock, David Caffey, and David Berger demonstrate their impressive arrangement acumen.

Special guest artists include Joe Locke, Luisito Quintero, and vocalist Kenny Washington.

1. Bye Bye Blackbird [5:26]
2. Star Eyes [5:52]
3. People Make the World Go Round (feat. Joe Locke & Kenny Washington) [6:03]
4. Here, There and Everywhere [6:27]
5. Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing [5:27]
6. This Masquerade [6:44]
7. Night and Day [5:48]
8. I Should Care [4:48]

This brilliantly sculpted new recording opens on the dutifully swinging Bye Bye Blackbird and follows that up with the flourishing Star Eyes, the dulcet People Make the World Go Round (featuring Joe Locke and Kenny Washington), and then we get the perkily flirtatious Here, There and Everywhere brought forth.

Along next, the veteran drummer next brings us a groovy Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing which is in turn backed supremely by an all-embracing This Masquerade the music rounding out on a simply sparkling Night and Day, closing on the rhythmically charming I Should Care.

Musicians:
Joe Syrian - drums, leader
Adam Birnbaum - piano
Paul Bollenback - guitars
Lorin Cohen - acoustic and electric bass
Carl Maraghi - alto and baritone saxophones
Tim Ries - tenor saxophone (1,2,4,5,6)
Dave Rieckenberg - tenor saxophone (7,8), bass clarinet (3)
Nick Marchionne - trumpet, flugelhorn
Doug Beavers - trombone

Special Guests:
Kenny Washington - vocal (3)
Joe Locke - vibraphone (3)
Luisito Quintero - percussion (3,5)

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