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Review of "Little Steps", Peter Bacon, The Birmingham Post, April 16 2007
"Big band with a whole heap of talent"
There are some damn fine big bands around and there are some damn fine composers too, but to have such a composer a long-standing member of such a band is a treat indeed.
The WJO is the band in question and keyboard player Tim Amann is the composer.
This is a band that plays modern jazz with a strong rock-fusion element and a very distinctive sound. They have always leaned towards Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius tunes rather than Ellington and Basie, and Amann sounds like he has a special affection for Steely Dan.
I first heard the large-scale suite All in Good Time, written for WJO by Thomas Haines, back when they were giving some movements and early airing at the Lichfield Jazz and Blues Festival. It’s sounding far more assured now and is a fine showcase for the band’s orchestral range.
Overall, though, I think they are at their best playing Amann’s music, and there are four fine slices of it to build an acquaintance with here.
You’ll hear a rich ensemble sound, an absolutely cracking rhythm section, and strong solos from guest and WJO alumnus Martin Shaw on trumpet, Richard Sandford on guitar, Sam Rogers on saxophones and Amann himself.
"What is most striking about WJO is the apparent ease with which these
young musicians dismantle any chart, no matter how formidable. On Devil in the
Detail, it seems that no detail has been undervalued or overlooked. A devilishly
beguiling album by a world class Jazz ensemble" - Jack Bowers
(allaboutjazz.com)
"Walsall Jazz Orchestra? Stunning - the town's best kept secret" - Terry Grimley (Birmingham Post)
"With its concise section work and fine used of dynamics this is a superb big band in its own right" - Chris Yates (Jazz Rag)
"Walsall Jazz Orchestra was playing a rendition of Pat Metheny's "Have you Heard?". I sat on the grass in the Montreux sunshine and had one of the best and least expected festival experiences ever" - Mike Bradley (The Times)
"Once upon a time there was a Walsall Youth Jazz Orchestra ... but it became so good, and made so many highly acclaimed recordings that a crucial decision was made. The word "Youth" would be dropped from it's name. Since then the band gas gone from strength to strength" - John Watson (Express and Star)
"I have to say at the outset, that it is a phenomenally successful outcome for all concerned. Not only does the group play out of its skin, but also offers respect and restraint in the process; the precision of their performances is awesome and so seemingly effortless, negotiating the oft-time complex charts with a panache and relaxation - brilliant and authoritative, incisive, confident and, when called for, blistering and sizzling" - Ken Rattenbury (Crescendo)
"This is one of the most thought provoking big band albums to come my way in a long time and I have no hesitation in recommending it to all open minded big band fans" - Stan Woolley (Jazz Journal)