Reasons To Be Thankful

Mr. Art Lillard, a Summit label recording artist, has a hit big-band jazz CD that is now available. He is a drummer, composer, arranger, and bandleader who leads four ensembles. He leads a Trio, Quartet, BlueHeaven, and this current ensemble, "HeavenlyBand".

This ensemble, ranging from 13 to 16 players, features flutes, saxophones and brass. The band performs an extensive repertoire of original songs that differ in sound from swing, samba, jazz ballads, to bossa nova. By the sound of the CD itself, one can hear the cohesion from their start in 1987 to currently playing in almost any NY club to sellout crowds. There are many uplifting and danceable sounds on this album; Art wants everyone to know he can please any lover of jazz. For example, track #2 "The Fast Track" sounds not only uplifting but allows smooth dancing in a club setting all dressed up.

Then, selection #9 "Biznes Changes" plays a lot of big-band orchestral piano while just causing the listener to want to dance, snap, or tap to the fluent pleasure of the jazz musicianship. This song even crosses over to another style with the smoothest transition one could hear in a band this size. Art is fulfilling a desire to find musical "Heaven" (track #6) with this CD for anyone who's looking to listen to a unique blend of jazz, blues, and ballroom dance music.

Whether slowed down (track #13 "Untitled") or fast-paced music, it all put the listener in the world that Mr. Lillard has setup with his vast expertise of entertaining the audience in the many arenas of jazz that can be blended together. The only complaint about this album is that it comes to an end and it didn't need the vocal help on tracks #8 "Incognito" and title track #12 "Reasons to be Thankful". Overall this is a wonderful CD to add to your collection if you enjoy jazz in any form.