Recordings

Dave Stahl Band Recordings

Live At Knights

For the third recording of the Dave Stahl Band, Dave decided to take the band into a club and do a "live" recording. From a three-night stand at the Knights of Columbus in Lebanon, PA, this was accomplished. You get to hear everything - the audience applause, whistles, Dave's introductions and credits for each number. And this is the first time the band is recording digitally. There is no mixing involved. The band is recorded right down to 2 track on a Sony RDAT recorder. Feel and hear the band "live"! The music is much more straight-ahead in this recording, included in the 10 compositions are the band's theme, 3 arrangements and 6 original pieces. Currently available in cassette format only.

Selections

Blue State
Dave's theme that he wrote and arranged for the band, a swinging blues including a spot for bass trombonist, George Flyn, to shine

The Song Is You
the Jerome Kern standard arranged for the band by Mark Taylor, bright swinging arrangement with solos by Ken Hitchcock (tenor), Dave (trumpet), John Eckert on flugelhorn leading the sax section, ex-Woody Herman pianist - Joel Weiskopf and Terry Clark, the ensemble's unison last note caps off an exciting ending to this chart

For Slugger
an original 6/8 composition by Dick Lowell written in honor of Dave's dog, "Slugger", opens with a majestic statement on trumpet by Dave which builds into a driving 6/8 Latin groove, Bob Porcelli takes a searing solo on alto, lots of interweaving lines by the ensemble make this a tour de force

Angel Eyes
the ever-beautiful ballad of Matt Dennis, Earl Brent, arranged by John Fedchock, features the lyrical, haunting tenor of Gary Keller

Annika
Tom Boras displays his cutting-edge writing ability in the original contemporary composition, Ken Hitchcock (soprano), Joel Weiskopf, Terry Clark and Dave all share solo space

Solar Plexis
A bright Latin original chart by Dick Lowell with lots of solos - John Eckert, Brian Lynch, and Dave on trumpet, Bobby Porcelli (alto), Joel Weiskopf, tricky Latin rhythms abound

Danny Boy
The arrangement that Don Sebesky wrote for and was made famous by the Maynard Ferguson band; Dave pays homage to one of his strongest influences — Maynard Ferguson

Sweet Stephanie On My Mind
Dale DeVoe pens an original that takes the band out there...., a modern, avant-garde piece with plenty of room to stretch out, solos by Tom Boras (baritone), Dale DeVoe, Bobby Porcelli (alto) and Dave

Theme For Three Maniacs
This up-tempo original jazz piece of Dale DeVoe features three trumpets: John Eckert, Brian Lynch, and Dave, solo space for each along with difficult melodic lines; no, that's not Dave playing the double C at the end; it's Brian Lynch

Semi-Blue
Basically a blues with some alterations, written by Dick Lowell, bluesy tempo, solos for Dale DeVoe, Ken Hitchcock (tenor), Gary Keller (tenor) and Dave, strong ending for this "live" concert

Personnel

Leader / Trumpet / Flugelhorn: Dave Stahl

Trumpet / Flugelhorn: Joe Mosello, Danny Cahn, John Eckert, Brian Lynch
Trombone: Dale Kirkland, Dale DeVoe
Bass Trombone: George Flynn
Saxes: Bobby Porcelli-alto, Ken Hitchcock-tenor, Gary Keller-tenor, Tom Boras-bari
Drums: Terry Clark
Keyboards: Joel Weiskopf
Electric Bass: Domenick Fiore
Percussion: Mark Sherman

Reviews

There is a crispness to all of the arrangements. The horn lines are exquisite from start to finish"
JazzTimes

"Dave's hot big band plays with weight and power on this live date. The ensemble charts and arrangements have a fresh and bright sound...The band's spirited and rhythmic vigor goes straight through you. They burn brilliant."
Victory Review