Music director/drummer Sherrie Maricle has been leading The DIVA Jazz Orchestra for 25-years, and to mark this milestone, Maricle is releasing an album titled, 25th Anniversary Project. Maricle created the project to reflect the evolving approach to presenting and performing mainstream jazz that the group has consistently performed over the past 25-years. To do this, Maricle called upon the extraordinary composers and arrangers within the band to channel their skills, creativity, and passion to create original compositions. Twelve of the extraordinary fifteen-member ensemble are also bestowed composers and arrangers. The result is 10 original compositions by 9 remarkable composers within the band, writing for 15 friends that comprise one amazing band. The album swings hard and has exceptional ensemble, sectional and individual solo talents. The DIVA Jazz Orchestra conjures a powerful sound and playing that equals its measure, and that’s the short of it!
Positives:
Original and creative compositions that build and exemplify the mainstream big band jazz tradition with passion and technical excellence.
Bottom Line:
The fifteen-member ensemble lead by Maricle is a well-oiled machine, this group swings, sways and hits as one. Their sound is the result of playing together for years and that is the key to their amazing sound and style. Add the excellent compositions to the mix and we have a winner with DIVA’s 25th Anniversary Project.