The Rodger Fox Big Band follow their 2015 Michael Houstoun collaboration
(Concerti) with this
collection of big band arrangements of nine pieces by contemporary New Zealand
composers,
including Nick Granville, Norman Meehan, Phil Broadhurst, Fat Freddy's Drop,
and even one from Mr Fox himself.
Recorded by Troy Kelly at STL Studios in Wellington, and mixed and mastered by Talley Sherwood at Tri-Tone Studios in Los Angeles, X is a continuation of the style Rodger has fostered with enormous commitment and enthusiasm for over 40 years, a tight, groove-based, high-energy programme of unashamedly joyful big band jazz.
Featuring the compositional, arranging, and soloing expertise of Nick Granville, Matt Harris, Bill Cunliffe, Bryn van Vliet, Roger Manins, Lauren Ellis and others, X celebrates established and emerging New Zealand jazz talent with great pride and conviction. This is big band jazz played with great verve and vitality, an album with the potential to appeal to a broad range of music fans.