#NewYorkNotes #Debut Album #EarlySpring by #AnthonyFerrara #AnthonyFerraraSax @BigTonesBand Highly Recommended A Must For All Jazz Enthusiasts
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we know Anthony Ferrara! The leading saxophone player of his generation here in Manhattan, Anthony Ferrara marked the start of his recording career with Early Spring, which debuted September 15, 2021. It's too bad we didn't know him back when New York emerged from covid because this music is the uplifting catalyst we all need. We firmly believe in starting at the beginning, and we hadn't yet heard of Anthony and The Big Tones Band at that point when Early Spring launched. Not only is Anthony an excellent sax player but also he is a fabulous composer. Early Spring includes the most of his originals totaling 10 compositions. Only 'Emily' was written by Johnny Mandel.
The album is ignited with its title track: Early Spring, aptly named. Early Spring, the song itself, is a fabulous zippy melodic bing bang boom with finesse. Once you hear it it will be obvious to you why it's track number one. Its starting mood segues into a lighter tone and picks up again with intelligent crescendos and decrescendos. Allow us to reemphasize that Anthony is the composer. The title track is followed up by Wind-Up Blues and Belle Daze which add style and versatility; if you are looking for music in your store or restaurant, this album performs. Early Spring as an album boasts significant talent yet is not imposing or annoying in any way. Remember, our policy is to only publish when we like something and Peachy is so picky about music she will leave a store or restaurant physically if her ears are offended.
Mind Stutter could be the soundtrack to your day, it could be part of a movie score. It makes your grocery shopping seem elevated! Sitting In Karma reminds us that not all karma is dark some is bright and light and reflective of excellence. Touching Veil is marked by a great gliding tempo and Peachy herself envisioned a snowball fight, which undoubtedly you might dream of on a day like today when everyone is melting in the concrete jungle. Emily is by Johnny Mandel and we found it reflective; it is a lovely addition that flawlessly blends in with Anthony's compositions and The Big Tones Band performs it so well. Flight Warning: Are women meant to be tamed, Anthony? Nearly as good as the music is the commentary inside the cd jacket that explains inspiration and origins of each song. If you were a child in the 80's who wanted their MTV, you know lyrics were tough to decipher never mind knowing what the artist was thinking in writing the song so this insight adds to the entertainment. Unattended Flame we found to be introspective, while Old York Maze is great for finding your way through the city! It's reminiscent of a city brisk walk, undoubtedly in Peachy's case to a restaurant probably. Finally, Slither In Slither Out is a melodic upbeat classy closing.
Highly Recommended by Whom You Know, Early Spring is a fantastic building block that sets the stage for an excellent career.
Stay tuned, New York Notes readers!
Since its inception in 2022, The Big Tones Band marks its style by covering a wide array of genres and decades that can bring any event to its highest level.
About Early Spring:
New Releases September 2021
Release date: September 15 – shipping September 6
SCCD 31920 Anthony Ferrara “Early Spring”
Another SteepleChase debut album this month is by a New York-based young and upcoming tenor saxophonist Anthony Ferrara. Ferrara while still studying at NYU in Steinhard’s Jazz Studies Program participated in the veteran bassist and his teacher Ron McClure’s highly acclaimed 2019 recording session (SCCD 31877 Lucky Sunday). He was invited to record his own album for SteepleChase and the recording session was scheduled April 14, 2020. Then the pandemic hit NY and the world. The session materialized finally November 21. Ferrara used the pandemic downtime to prepare this outstanding first leader release.
McClure noted on the album’s linernotes, “Anthony Ferrara’s music speaks for itself. Early Spring is a testimony to his deep respect for and knowledge of his predecessors on the tenor saxophone as well as the maturity and confidence this body of work defines at age 23.”.
ANTHONY FERRARA tenor saxophone
GARY VERSACE piano
JAY ANDERSON bass
BILLY DRUMMOND drums
Recorded November 2020
• 1 EARLY SPRING 6:17
• 2 WIND-UP BLUES 4:37
• 3 BELLE DAZE 5:10
• 4 MIND STUTTER 5:44
• 5 SITTING IN KARMA 6:48
• 6 TOUCHING VEIL 5:55
• 7 EMILY 10:07
• 8 FLIGHT WARNING 7:15
• 9 UNATTENDED FLAME 8:37
• 10 OLD YORK MAZE 6:49
• 11 SLITHER IN SLITHER OUT 7:03
Total Playing Time 74:56
Track 7 composed by Johnny Mandel
All other compositions by Anthony Ferrara, published by SteepleChase Music (KODA)
Listen to Track 1 here:
