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Review by Dee Dee McNeil
Thanks to Dee Dee McNeil of Musical Memoirs for her review of Eric Goletz's latest album, "Standard-ized!," to be released on February 10th.
ERIC GOLETZ – “STANDARD-IZED!” – Cap Records Eric Goletz, trombone/arranger/piano. SPECIAL GUESTS: Don Braden, soprano saxophone; LaJuan Carter, vocals. THE BAND: Henry Heinitsh, guitar; Jim Ridl, piano; Brian Glassman, acoustic & electric bass/contra bass; Marco Panascia, electric bass; Steve Johns, drums; Joe Mowatt, percussion. THE STRINGS: Robin Zeh & Paul Woodiel, violins; Michael Roth & David Gold, violas; Sarah Hewitt-Roth, cello.
This ensemble opens with the familiar jazz standard, “Now’s the Time” a Charlie Parker classic. The arrangement is hip and swings hard, featuring Don Braden on soprano saxophone. This is an album of standards arranged by trombonist and featured artist, Eric Goletz. Jim Ridl is outstanding on piano throughout, and he shows off his creativity and dexterity on “Just in Time.” The tune “Caravan” is arranged as a sexy, slow ballad rather than the speedy, up-temp approach of many bands. On this tune, Eric Goletz shines on trombone.
Goletz has a thirty-year career as a studio musician. He’s a native of Denver, Colorado, but has been based in New York City for many years. His father was a pianist and a lover of big bands. Young Goletz studied classical guitar, piano and music theory starting at age six. By age fourteen, Eric had fallen madly in love with the trombone and was certain music would be his career path.
Surrounded by a number of excellent musicians, Goletz presents standard jazz songs we know and love, arranged and inspired by his vivid creativity. You will hear his jazzy take on pop songs like “Windmills of Your Mind” and Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed,” where Eric Goletz plays piano and trombone. Some of my favorites on this album are “Nutville” and the R&B tinted vocals of LaJuan Carter sparkle on “Nature Boy.” His vocals are unique and powerfully delivered, with strings sprucing things up in the background. I enjoyed the “Train Shuffle” and the jazz waltz arrangement on “Jungle Juice.” Brian Glassman opens with the Horace Silver composition, “Mayreh” featuring a slow swing walking bass, but the arrangement soon doubles the tempo and speeds ahead, buoyed by the busy drum sticks of Steve Johns. This quickly becomes one of my favorites, with all the bebop flair, fire, and groove that I love!
