“Both musical groups are on their toes … this is quite a spectacular album and Ticheli's works are not the sort to alienate those averse to New Music.” — John Sunier, Audiophile Audition
RR-127CD Cover
Playing With Fire
Music by Frank Techeli


DALLAS WIND SYMPHONY
JERRY JUNKIN
with
JIM CULLUM JAZZ BAND


RR-127 CD


An all-American collaboration, The Dallas Wind Symphony and the Jim Cullum Jazz Band team up on this new sonic spectacular from Reference Recordings, PLAYING WITH FIRE!   The five pieces presented here offer a musical panorama from composer Frank Ticheli (b.1958).   Light to dark, to joyous jazz celebration, it is all here for the listener.   The first four pieces are among the best by this famed concert band composer.   The final composition, PLAYING WITH FIRE combines the mighty Dallas Wind Symphony with enthusiastic playing by the 7-piece Jim Cullum Jazz Band!   Wind band fans and traditional jazz enthusiasts will revel in these splendid performances.

Conducted by Jerry Junkin and recorded in the Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas Texas, the great music and its exceptional sonic palette are expertly captured by Reference Recordings' world-renowned team of engineer Keith Johnson and producer Tam Henderson.

FRANK TICHELI is well known for his works for concert band, many of which have become standards in the repertoire.   He has appeared as guest conductor of his music at Carnegie Hall, at many American universities and music festivals, and in cities throughout the world.   Ticheli joined the faculty of the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music in 1991, where he is Professor of Composition.   His music has been described as “optimistic and thoughtful” (Los Angeles Times), “lean and muscular” (New York Times), and “brilliantly effective” (Miami Herald).

Organized in 1962, the JIM CULLUM JAZZ BAND is known worldwide for playing classic jazz plus music by great American composers.   Since 1987, the weekly Riverwalk radio broadcasts (PRI) have featured the ensemble with distinguished musical guests.


Frank Ticheli (b.1958)

  1. POSTCARD     5:40

      SAN ANTONIO DANCES
  2. Alamo Gardens     5:28
  3. Tex-Mex on the Riverwalk     4:37

      SYMPHONY NO.2     22:20
  4. Shooting Stars     4:46
  5. Dreams Under a New Moon     11:23
  6. Apollo Unleashed     6:08

  7. REST     7:38

      PLAYING WITH FIRE     25:07
      (By Frank Ticheli and Jim Cullum, orch. by Ticheli)
  8. A la Bauduc     6:34
  9. Shades of Blue     10:03
10. Polyphonies and Riffs     8:26


Reference Recordings are distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading