| Jazz |
Barely has the coffee settled on the desk, the CD slipped into the player, my eyes still heavy with sleep, rain drumming against the window, silence enveloping the room—when the first notes of We’re Back, Baby explode into the air. Wow! It’s a blast! Rarely have I heard a group so electrifying, especially within such a complex musical architecture. This album is nothing short of staggering—one of the most astonishing things I’ve ever heard! And the sheer number of artists involved in this extraordinary project does nothing to weigh it down; on the contrary, it’s an absolute joy from start to finish, brought to life by a phenomenal ensemble:
Antonio Orta – alto & soprano sax
Mike Cemprola – alto sax, flute, clarinet
Tedd Baker – tenor sax
Xavier Perez – tenor sax
Doug Morgan – bari sax, bass clarinet
Bill Mulligan – flute (3), clarinet (2)
Brian MacDonald – lead trumpet
Kevin Burns – trumpet (lead on 4 & 6)
Luke Brandon – trumpet
Alec Aldred – trumpet
Ben Patterson – lead trombone
Kevin Cerovich – trombone
Dave Perkel – trombone
Ben Polk – bass trombone
Shawn Purcell – guitar
Chris Ziemba – piano
Paul Henry – bass
Todd Harrison – drums, percussion
Fran Vielma – congas, tamboras de fulia, percussion (2)
Emily Davies – vocals (2)
Trombonist, composer, and arranger Ben Patterson boldly launches this companion album to Groove Junkies, his acclaimed 2024 release. His Washington, D.C.-based ensemble, a tightly knit collective of long-standing collaborators, maintains its razor-sharp precision and relentless drive for energy and surprise. Yet while Groove Junkies paid homage to the funk-infused worlds of the Brecker Brothers and Tower of Power, Mad Scientist Music offers a breathtaking masterclass in big band composition and performance, seamlessly fusing sophistication with sheer accessibility. It’s all here, elevated by dazzling arrangements that leave you breathless. Each track unfolds like a thrilling discovery, rewarding the listener at every turn.
In 2016, Ben founded the Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra and released his debut album, Vital Frequencies, featuring Chris Potter. Comprised of some of the finest musicians in the Washington, D.C. area, the band has graced venues like Blues Alley and the Washington Performing Arts Society gala. In 2020, he launched the Ben Patterson Group, alongside longtime musical allies Shawn Purcell (guitar), Paul Henry (bass), and Todd Harrison (drums). Their 2021 release, Push the Limits (Origin Records), featuring pianist Chris Ziemba, broke into the JazzWeek Top 50. Their most recent offering, The Way of the Groove (2022), showcases Harry Appelman on organ and UNT alumnus Luis Hernandez on tenor saxophone.
Within the Washington, D.C. jazz scene, Ben is a fixture as both a soloist and lead trombonist in multiple ensembles, including the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Fran Vielma’s Pan American Orchestra, the Steve Williams Mighty Little Big Band, the Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, and the Joe McCarthy/Vince Norman Big Band. A longtime member of the acclaimed Latin group Sin Miedo, led by Didier Prossaird, he continues to expand his artistic reach across genres.
This album is nothing less than a widescreen cinematic experience—a full-blown Hollywood production in sonic form. Resistance is futile. No matter your taste in jazz, this record is bound to bring you joy. Without question, it earns its place among the must-have albums of the year. The jazz universe is vast, and until now, we hadn’t encountered Ben Patterson’s work—what an introduction! Simply spectacular.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, March 17th 2025
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