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Media"With
a style that owes more to Sammy Davis Jr, Vic Damone and Jack
Jones than Frank Sinatra, Anthony Warlow pays tribute to the big
band sound that backed so many singers in the Hollywood studios
of Capitol Records in the mid to late 1950s. Warlow is unique
in that he understands the songs he sings - not suprising when
you consider his perfect intonation and ability to phrase naturally.
And he is in top form on this set of timeless standards superbly
showcased by arranger Tommy Tycho, whose writing is one of the
reasons why this album will become a landmark in Australian popular
music. His charts may bear an uncanny resemblance to the best
writing such great arrangers as Nelson Riddle and Billy May, yet
by adding that special Tycho touch he makes them his own. He rekindles
the sound of a swinging big band, making it as relevant in the
21st century as it was nearly 50 years ago. There's excellent
musicianship from the top Sydney jazz and studio musicians, resulting
in some of the most exhilirating Australian big band sounds I
have heard. I doubt if any Australian big band has been graced
by a better trumpet team than that of Ralph Pyl, Paul Panichi,
John Hoffman, Warwick Alder and Don Rader. Booted along by the
rhythm section and Gordan Rytmeister's explosive drumming, they
charge through Lover Come Back to Me, breathing as one
as they shout with fire and excitement. And what a rhythm section!
Jonatthan Zwartz's big sounding bass, pianist Bill Risby and Rytmeister
imaginatively set the scene for the uptempo Charade,
in which Warlow strong and confident, holds his own against the
the blend of shouting brass and flaming reeds. However, not all
the tracks are in this vein. Nobody's Baby is a handsome
blending of the sleek and smooth , and The Girl From Ipanema
an oasis of quiet beauty featuring Jim Pennell's gently insinuating
guitar and soft strings. It is doubtful if any other Australian
male singer could have carried this off with such aplomb and excellence.
Then again, I doubt if one had ever had better backing". "In
one of my books I published a list of great lead trumpet players.
The list was compiled from my personal experience plus Joe Urso/Kevin
Seeley's book 'The Upper Register'. Despite a disclaimer, I've
had many omissions pointed out to me, some well-known, and some
local heroes. Every town has its great lead trumpet players, and
an inclusive list is impossible, as I've discovered. I'll try
to rectify it one player at a time: Ralph Pyl (pronounced 'pile')
is a Sydney, Australia trumpet player visiting Toronto with the
aforementioned Sinatra show. Add him to the list! Great chops
and pitch and consistency and a pleasure to work with. He's playing
lead with quite an excellent band on this show, and doing it with
aplomb. Down Under, Ralph leads his own band, The Sydney All-Star
Big Band. I've just had a listen to their CD and it sounds great!
It features Ralph's lead playing and solo work, as well as fine
performances and writing from a host of other players, including
ex-pat trumpet player Don Rader. You can check out the band at:
www.ralphpyl.com Ralph went to school with James Morrison, who
often guests with the band. I imagine watching James do what he
does so effortlessly would be both inspiring and depressing. Living
on an island in the South Pacific and playing great jazz. Sounds
like a pretty good life"! "
The All Stars, led by trumpeter Ralph Pyl, with a book based on
charts associated with the bands of the late Buddy Rich, Woody
Herman and Canada's wonderful Boss Brass is a winner. In full
flight it can roar like a lion yet purr like a kitten on a ballad
- and it includes some of the best jazz and studio musicians in
the country. This is the best Australian big band album I’ve
heard". "I
have worked in Big Bands with Ralph Pyl since we were kids, his
experience in this genre is immense. As a guest with his Big Band
on many occasions I'm always impressed with how he gets the most
out of the band, his easy going knowledgeable approach really
pulls it together". "In
his role as Band Leader during the 1998 - 1999 national tour of
"Frank - The Sinatra story in song", Ralph Pyl's extensive knowledge
of and great passion for Big Band music, as well as his remarkable
ability as a lead player and soloist, made him a major contributor
to the success of the show". "We
here at Darling Harbour Authority would like to congratulate Tom
Burlinson and the "Sydney All Star Big Band" for delivering a
superb evenings entertainment on board the Aquashell on Cockle
Bay. The event was an outstanding success and launched our 'Winter
Concert Series' 2000 in style. To have your uncannily 'Frank'
vocals and the "All Stars" brilliant execution of the 'charts'
fill this site with the fabulous music of Sinatra was an unprecedented
thrill, which drew constant enthusiastic response from thousands
of people sitting around Cockle Bay". "In
1997, I was approached by Sydney's "Star City", Australia's newest
most prestigious Casino complex to perform 22 concerts. I was
determined to have the hottest and swingin'est band in town. That's
exactly what I got. Under the direction of Ralph Pyl the "Sydney
All Stars" tore the roof off the place every night, so when I
was ready to make my last album "Cash Landing", Ralph and the
"All Stars" were the obvious choice. The band brought a depth
of passion, dynamics and sheer musical quality to the recording
that no other band possibly could. Ralph and I have been working
together for over 4 years now and whether it's a festival concert,
a night club, television appearance or studio recording, Ralph's
blistering solo abilities and machine gun accurate reading skills
have become an integral part of the Frank Bennett sound. The guy
just loves his work ..... and so do I". "Having
featured on many occasion with Ralph's "Sydney All Sar Big Band"
and as a top student in the Conservatorium Jazz Program, followed
by his impressive years in the top echelon of the professional
ranks, Ralph Pyl comes highly recommended as a very experienced
player and leader". "One
of the greatest highlights of my musical career, has been the
honor of working with the "Sydney All Star Big Band". Led by the
absolutely professional and wonderful Ralph Pyl - The " Sydney
All Stars" provide a world class sound, are brilliant readers
and are a great bunch of guys as well. It is of great joy to work
with this Big Band, they're in a galaxy of their own"! "The
Sydney All Star Big Band was assembled by its leader trumpeter
Ralph Pyl in 1990 to continue the big band jazz tradition started
in Sydney in the late 70's and carried into the 80's by the Northside
Big Band. The nucleus of the All Stars came from the ranks of
the Northside Big Band. Now the Sydney All Star Big Band contains
15 of the finest jazz and recording musicians on the current Australian
jazz scene. Since its inception the band has captured the imagination
of jazz fans and big band buffs with its first class soloists,
powerful ensemble work and dynamic swinging style. Its performances
at major jazz events, including several at the Manly International
Jazz Festival, drew much critical acclaim and in particular when
associated with international artists like Vanessa Rubin, Buddy
Greco, Tom Burlinson, James Morrison, Don Burrows and Andrew Speight.
One of the highlights of the band's career was a superb tribute
concert in the Sydney Town Hall to the legendary Duke Ellington.
It is without doubt this nation's most outstanding professional
jazz orchestra. Its leader Ralph Pyl is a thoroughly skilled and
totally dedicated professional musician who is highly respected
by his peers. Keeping big bands together and active is difficult
enough at anytime, but it is significant that the membership of
the All Star Band has changed little over the years and indeed
its present line up would be hard to better in this country".
"Ralph
Pyl is an exceptional musician, the fact that he has his own Big
Band is a testament to his talent. I have worked with Ralph for
over 12 years and have always found him to be dedicated, professional
and highly respected by everyone in the industry". |
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© 2001 Ralph Pyl, All Rights Reserved