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This project is a culmination of hard work and dedication as University of Nevada, Las Vegas Jazz Ensemble 1 has assembled 12, well-constructed compositions. This new album release is put together by UNLV School Of Music, Division of Jazz and Commercial Music and includes students, faculty, and guest artists throughout the 2023–2024 school year. ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ features returning performers Laura Taylor, Curt Miller and Kenny Rampton, as well as new guest artists such as Clint Holmes and Naomi Mauro (both of whom have performed at UNLV’s annual Joe Williams Scholarship Concert). Many student compositions and arrangements can be found on this album making for proud moments galore and major accomplishments across the board. UNLV J&CM had the pleasure of working with Grammy-Award-Winning Producer Gregg Field on this project.
‘Let The Good Times Roll’ is the perfect title for this record because you can just sense the pure joy being played out here by the entire Ensemble. This release is the pure definition of a passion project as all members played their hearts out and just enjoyed the whole process. Directed by Dave Loeb and Nathan Tanouye, ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ is professionally recorded jazz music at its finest!
The album kicks off with the title track, “Let The Good Times Roll”, and right away the energy is simply electric! With a feel-good melody and fun atmosphere, “Let The Good Times Roll” invites you to come on in and enjoy the show! The listener will be jivin’ along to the next composition, “Chinoserie” that offers up a lively mix and fine instrumentation. Track three, “Too Close For Comfort”, is elegance personified as UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1 delivers one classy performance. Next, we have “Emily” that highlights this group on all levels musically and makes for an enjoyable listening experience. On the following number titled “Check Up”, the sax playing stands out and the musical direction is superb. Check out “Check Up” where this song really POPS and highlights UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1 in stellar fashion. Track six, “Bohemia After Dark”, will put you in the right frame of mind with a fantastic arrangement and smart orchestration. Get ready for “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes” that has a glorious presence and such fullness of sound. Just sit back, relax and take in the soothing sounds and distinct notes on “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes”. UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1 showed UP and showed OUT on “Alright, Okay, You Win” where, from a listening perspective, you just want the band to play ON! The following composition, “The Collective”, will spark your curiosity and capture your imagination with its watchful tone and stirring chords. Track 10, “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You”, has a stage show feel and schmaltzy touch as the Ensemble is hittin’ the town in style. The UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1 is bringin’ it on home with “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” by offering glitzy pizzazz and a timeless sound. Get ready for a jazzy, snazzy good time on “Braggin ‘N’ Brass” where UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1 is not holding back and delivering a star-studded performance. The talented Ensemble ends on a high note with “Finale (For Katie Charlotte)” where Tristan Selzler is tickling the ivories with the utmost precision.
‘Let The Good Times Roll’ is due out March 01, 2025 on Vegas Records and is already a Hit in my book! UNLV J&CM prides itself as a top school for jazz composition, and has produced many skilled composers such as Ricardo Arana, Jorge Machain, Carlos Mata, and Julian Tanaka. UNLV’s current student composers/arrangers, such as Kirby Galbraith, Renzon Maballo, Jaren Glick, Tristan Selzler, Mateo H.D. Mendoza, and Surafael Tamre have contributed significant works to this project. Everyone involved with this album should be very proud of their overall efforts and UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1 deserves a round of applause. The previous release, ‘Dreamlike’, received a 2024 Grammy Consideration and got a lot of airplay at national radio stations. University of Nevada, Las Vegas Jazz Ensemble 1 is helping keep jazz alive and well with an unwavering commitment to this art form. Just as The Cars once said, “Let the good times roll”, the players at UNLV also share this same sentiment collectively. All for the love of music and all in the key of jazz, just ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ forever!
https://unlvjazz.bandcamp.com/album/let-the-good-times-roll
By Jimmy Rae
