LOREN SCHOENBERG & HIS JAZZ ORCHESTRA: Solid Ground

The third record by the Loren Schoenberg Jazz Orchestra finds the band mostly exploring superior obscurities, along with a few underplayed standards. On such memorable tunes as "Midriff," "Coquette," "Only Trust Your Heart" and "I Double Dare You," the swinging big band gets to show off its diversity. The talented singer Barbara Lea has three vocals. and such soloists are featured as tenorman Schoenberg, trombonists Eddie Bert and Matt Finders, pianist Dick Katz, guitarist Howard Alden, and trumpeters John Eckert, Dick Sudhalter and Randy Brecker. All of the recordings by this underrated orchestra are easily recommended and quite enjoyable.