APRIL IN PARIS / Big Friendly Jazz Orchestra / BFJO2005

[4stripes41]

I'm not able to understand nor appreciate such harsh criticism on the part of people hidden comfortably behind a computer screen locked away in a room somewhere. These kids are doing a good job and they are UP THERE PERFORMING REAL MUSIC and its pretty dog gone good too. I've heard college bands that were not at good nor as inspired. Give them a break and mind your manners.

[Kickerinthehead]

@4stripes41 Firstly, a gentlemen never points out the rudeness of others, so let's not try to act better than anyone else here. Our criticisms stem from the fact that they know exactly what to play but no idea how to play it. Have you even heard Count Basie's original?  They're playing good music, yes. But jazz isn't just notes...it's a style. These cats are playing all the notes (let's be honest though, we all heard a few wrong ones) but the notes have no feeling.

[chrisdogan]

crap. this is TOTAL crap. the thad jones solo sounded HORRENDOUS. geez.

[Pruitt325]

Way too brass heavy, the saxes were totally drowned out most of the time.

[BushZappa]

Actually they have a lot of feeling, perhaps you should hear their others songs.

[dobgood]

This stuff about Asian culture, lack of individuality and creativity doesn't hold up. It doesn't apply to literature or film, for example. And it evidently doesn't apply to artists such as Teramasu Hino who work primarily outside Japan. Miraculously, apparently, once people land in the U.S., their shortcomings disappear. Maybe it's the water. Just relax and enjoy listening to these kids with all the variation in talent.

[dobgood]

I've spent a lot of time comparing BFJO to other HS bands (particularly top-rated U.S. bands) on YouTube and at its best, BFJO is as good or better. Compare its version of Four with the Berklee combo version. BFJO is a school band and its soloists run the gamut from OK to inspired, but they're 15-17 years old. They swing hard and if someone thinks they're not fun, we'll have to agree to disagree.

[DevonDandy]

Hey guys, they are not a full time professional band, give them a chance. If they were in the UK their ambitions would probably be to wail some witless pop sing into the mike with just guitar and drums. At the very least they are keeping this style of music alive in their generation

[xcolordeficient1134x]

From this band, the tune doesn't have that big-band broadway feel that I'd hope for. The opening was magnificent, but once it dropped from ff to pp, it sounded like something stuck into a computer. The triplets didn't even sound like them when they came in.

[EmoElmo911]

it was really good, yet you cant FEEL it

[MrKevin624]

I agree with milkboy, the thrumpet solo was just plain horrible. like their was no accents at all.

[MilkBoyofAH]

I don't understand why everyone is so amazed with this group and every damn song they play...sure they play the notes, but they have no feel for it. That trombone solo was...dreadful which is how every solo from this group goes...it's like reading a textbook. It's correct, but there's no fun in it

[wannaplaytrmptjmu]

@MilkBoyofAH there's a reason as to why this is. As a trumpet player who has studied some of the asian culture both musically and historically, this is what I know: They prize the group more than they do the individual. It may be very weird to most cultures, and it's hard to explain, so I won't try. The don't prize solos as much as they do playing the "textbook" version together as a group.

However, that solo was played as written, I have the same arrangement.

[ptarmegen]

@MilkBoyofAH C'mon....they're a HIGH SCHOOL band, not pros: waaaay better than our hs band...

[horloko]

Yessss!! Finally someone plays the version of the pop the weasel trumpet solo! Perfect

[Tony7840]

BRAVO and MAGNIFICO!!!!!!!!

[Festesson]

In heaven this would have gone on for ever.WOW

[stevebully]

ONE MORE TIME !!!!!!

[nomojun234]

トランペットがんばってるね

[nomojun234]

トランペットがんばってるね

[Kostenbaat]

That was fun! How often you make me smile.

[hellownurse]

What a weird way of encore... LOL

[blocksowood]

it was in the original and it excites everyone so every group has copied him

[tak22thegoat]

Love that tune by basie. They played it as recorded!