Bill McFarland &
The Chicago Horns
 "Fire Horns Totally Live"
 New DVD Press Release

                Jazz fans of Chicago can continue to see and hear the dynamic sounds of the nationally renowned Chicago Jazz Project of Sopro Records Recording Artist’s, ‘Bill McFarland & The Chicago Horns’.  The new DVD “Fire Horns Totally Live” features the prolific and dynamic big brass sounds of The Chicago Horns featuring band leader and producer Bill McFarland on Trombone, Hank Ford on Saxophone and Kenny Anderson on Trumpet.
                 Sopro Records is proud to announce the DVD release of “Fire Horns Totally Live” by ‘Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns’.  The long awaited jazz music DVD by ‘The Chicago Horns’ will surely reach down deep into the hearts and souls of jazz enthusiasts everywhere with a style unique to ‘The Chicago Horns’. Trombonist Bill McFarland, Saxophonist Hank Ford and Trumpeter Kenny Anderson are making their move to become the number one horn section in America. 
                ‘The Chicago Horns’ have recently garnished the respect of the critically acclaimed Chicago Tribune Arts Critic, Howard Reich along with accolades from numerous jazz radio DJ’s in the greater Chicago area.   During their show at the Chicago Jazz Festival ‘The Chicago Horns’ received a standing ovation for their performance of their single, “Harold The Great” which is their tribute of music to the late, great mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington.
                They take a hot approach to jazz with blues, pop and salsa flavors in the mix.  So who in blazes puts out a DVD called “Fire Horns Totally Live” and manages to deliver the heat promised in the title?  ‘Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns’, that’s who.
                The three horn players’ long experience in blues, pop and salsa styles has made the band’s approach to jazz straightforward, catchy and as blustery as a March stroll in the Windy City.
                The tunes tend to be built on riffs and phrases that are easy to grasp right away.  For anyone new to jazz, this is an ingratiating DVD.  The groove laid down is one that immediately engages the listener.  And then there’s “Mild Wind”, named with eerie accuracy: The tune starts out like a soulful swinger, becoming becalmed soon after.  As if to offer further song-title comment on what this band’s all about, there’s “Mood Swings”.  This is a consistent number, despite its suggestion of ambivalence, which has an almost pop-like appeal without explicit pop referents.  With its suave bravado, Kenny Anderson’s muted trumpet solo is just right in this context.
                It’s on the tune “Fire Horns” that the band gives freest vent to its powerhouse credentials.  With hard-hitting but never mindless solos from the three horns, this is the kind of tune that probably provides a dependable romping vehicle for ‘The Chicago Horns’ every time out.
                One of the best things about this DVD is you can finally take the best jazz horns in Chicago home with you for a spin on your DVD player.  Let’s face it, not all of us have the time to go out to the Green Mill or any of the other Chicago jazz clubs on a regular basis.  It takes a lot of balls to call yourself “The Chicago Horns” but Bill McFarland, Hank Ford and Kenny Anderson don’t have to worry about backing up this bold statement.
                The trio, McFarland, Ford and Anderson, virtually grew up together musically.  Trumpeter Kenny Anderson is well known as one of the leading salsa performers on the Chicago music scene.  Hank Ford on sax, has played with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, and Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” stage shows.  And Bill McFarland, the band’s leader on trombone, has played on Albert Collins’ “Frostbite” album and albums with Fenton Robinson and Lonnie Brooks.  He’s played live with Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Otis Clay to name a few.  They are absolutely one of the jazz world’s leading sextets.  The arrangements are clean, yet very gutsy.  It has the big bold sound that DVD’s like this need to become jazz collectibles.  Hats off to Sopro Records and ‘Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns’
                It’s a wonder the fixtures are still attached to the ceiling at the Green Mill Jazz Club though ‘Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns’ made their debut at the club, they played as if they owned the joint.  And it wasn’t just the group’s penchant for fortissimo blasts of sound that gave their performance its air of authority.
                This band’s taut rhythms, its front line’s muscular quality and its rhythm section’s aggressiveness made ‘The Chicago Horns’ sound more like a small jazz symphony than the hard-hitting sextet it is. 
                Though the band has been playing around Chicago for the past couple of years, its front line dates back much further, with trombonist McFarland, tenor saxophonist Hank Ford and trumpeter Kenny Anderson having virtually grown up together musically.
                The years they’ve spent in one another’s company have paid off.  When these three horns are playing unison lines, the force of their sound is matched only by their finesse: They phrase, shade and taper lines almost as if a single player were at work.
                The most jolting performance on the DVD is a number that has emerged as the band’s signature piece: “Harold The Great,” a McFarland original.  “Harold” refers to the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, to whom the piece is dedicated.
                But this work is much more than a pious homage to a fallen hero.  Rather, its volatile rhythms and raging energy recall the fire and fury that made, Washington unique as an orator and leader.  More important, in the work’s reliance on African horn calls and on themes more reminiscent of African chant than Western melody, the composition effectively links Washington to black leaders of African antiquity.
                To hear McFarland improvising vigorously on trombone while Ford’s tenor and Anderson’s trumpet blared forth with glorious horn calls was to understand the communicative power of this band and this composition.  The exultant melody lines, wide-open textures, peak volumes and unrepentant rhythmic drive inspire generous ovations.
                The incendiary first track alone makes this recording required listening.  Written by Chicagoan Bill McFarland, “Harold The Great” has become an anthem for ‘The Chicago Horns’ and a popular repertory piece among a variety of Chicago bands.  With its incantatory backbeats, anthem-like main theme and combustive brass variations, the piece epitomizes everything that is thrilling about ‘McFarland’s Chicago Horns’. 
                Add to that the jubilant harmonies and Latin cross-rhythms of “Mardi Gras” and the heaven-storming brass lines in the title track and you have one of the most viscerally exciting Chicago jazz bands to come along in years. 
                You almost can’t go wrong with a lineup like Bill McFarland’s: a potent, hard-driving outfit that matches his throaty trombone with a beef-stew saxophonist, in this case Hank Ford or a fluent, octave-stretching trumpet ace named Kenny Anderson.  This kind of three-horn sextet first appeared in the 1940's, as a bebop miniaturization of the big bands that had dominated the swing era.  It disappeared for most of the next decade - in part because of the paucity of trombonists able to handle the technical demands of both - but it reached it’s zenith when Art Blakely expanded his Jazz Messengers to a three-horn line in the 1960's.  The Messengers offer an obvious model for McFarland’s band.  But so does the music of the Jazz Crusaders (and not just on those tunes where electronic keyboards replace the standard piano).  Several of the songs on ‘The Chicago Horns’ DVD, “Fire Horns Totally Live” (Sopro Records), show the lighter swing, the comparatively relaxed melodies and the pop-soul song structure that made the Crusaders one of the most popular jazz bands of the late 1960's.  Both the Messengers and the Crusaders always featured strong piano personalities, and in this respect McFarland again brags on his roots: you needn’t go any further than the album’s opening track, the McFarland composition (and Chicago’s deceased-mayoral dedication) “Harold The Great,” which depends on the crisp and imaginative piano fills by Osamu Sam Soda as much as it does on the three horns.  Soda leads a sparkling rhythm section, with bassist Mike Staron and drummer Tim Davis, who dances the tightrope between timekeeping and pure energy on the tracks recorded in Indianapolis.
                Long time veterans of the local club circuit, horn players Bill McFarland (trombone), Hank Ford (saxophone), and Kenny Anderson (trumpet) have also logged a fair amount of time as studio musicians for some of the bigger names in R&B and urban contemporary.  It comes as no surprise then that “Fire Horns Totally Live” the DVD from ‘Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns’, offers a first-rate selection of expertly performed jazz numbers.
                ‘The Chicago Horns’ experiment with long form instrumental passages that glide through various moods and textures.  The band takes flight with a stellar reading of the Webster Lewis composition “Mild Wind”, creating passionate music.  The other seven tracks are originals, providing an impressive display of creative energy.
                “Harold The Great”, a tribute to the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, features aggressive horn playing that sparks the tunes majestic theme.  “Hip Hop Swing” eases its way through a pleasant tempo arrangement with the help of fluid keyboard work, while “Mar-Di-Gras” sizzles with exotic rhythms.   The seductive “Maho’s Dream”, an after-hours slow dance, serves as the perfect finish to an album that captures the nocturnal ambience of a live performance by ‘Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns’.
                What this is....is real jazz....the kind of real breathing and living Chicago-style jazz that used to dominate the Windy City scene in decades past.  What this is not, is the so called smooth jazz you tend to hear in shopping centers, doctor’s offices and lame radio stations.
                This sextet creates music so aggressive and powerful that at times that it reminds the listener of the Big Band sound of jazz past.  Stan Kenton and his orchestra comes to mind as one example.  Innovative deliveries in the grand and rebellious tradition that made bandleaders like Benny Goodman so great.  McFarland and his jazz men have laid down tracks that spring to life and dance right out of your speakers.
                The songs included on the DVD “Fire Horns Totally Live” are simultaneously a trip to decades past and a journey into the future of jazz.  Songs like “Harold The Great” and “Mar-Di-Gras” will keep the attention of the swingingest of jazz enthusiasts.  Hats off to band leader ‘Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns’ and Sopro Records.  In this era of pseudo jazz, it is a wonderful pleasure to hear some real, soul-stirring jazz for a change.
                ‘Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns’ have been one of the most prolific horn sections in jazz and blues for the last ten years. Trumpet player Kenny Anderson is a long standing professional who is well known and one of the leading Salsa performers from the Chicago music scene.  Hank Ford on Saxophone has played with all the great performers of jazz and blues.  He has played with Aretha Franklin, Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield and has played on the “Wiz” and Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” stage shows. Band leader, Trombone player, Bill McFarland has played on the late, great Albert Collin’s “Frostbite” album and on Fenton Robinson’s and Lonnie Brooks’ albums and has played live with Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Otis Clay to name a few.  He is the director and the driving force of ‘The Chicago Horns’.
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Bill McFarland &
The Chicago Horns
"Fire Horns CD"
Press Release

     Sopro Records, Inc. is proud to announce the CD record album release of "FIRE HORNS" by BILL McFARLAND AND THE CHICAGO HORNS. The long awaited jazz music release by THE CHICAGO HORNS will surely reach down deep into the hearts and souls of jazz enthusiasts everywhere with a style unique to THE CHICAGO HORNS.

     Trombonist Bill McFarland, Saxophonist Hank Ford and Trumpeter Kenny Anderson are making their move to become the number one horn section in America. With their band featuring pianist/keyboardist Osamu Sam Soda, bassist Mike Staron and drummer Rick Vitek THE CHICAGO HORNS collection of outstanding music compositions on their new, debut album "FIRE HORNS" is sure to start making its mark in the ever competitive world of great jazz music.

     THE CHICAGO HORNS have recently garnished the respect of the critically acclaimed Chicago Tribune Arts Critic, Howard Reich along with accolades from numerous jazz program DJ's in the greater Chicago area. During their show at the Chicago Jazz Festival THE CHICAGO HORNS received a standing ovation for their performance of their single, "Harold The Great" which is their tribute of music to the late, great mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington.

     BILL McFARLAND AND THE CHICAGO HORNS will be performing for their record release showcase at the "GREEN MILL JAZZ CLUB" located at 4800 N. Broadway in Chicago. The show will be on Friday, October 13, 1995. They will also be playing other club locations to be announced. Press personnel who wish to attend the show please contact Bud Monaco at Sopro, Inc. for passes or for further information. THE CHICAGO HORNS "FIRE HORNS" debut album release will be distributed throughout the Chicagoland, Wisconsin and Indiana areas and will be in more than one hundred retail record store outlets including all the Chicago area Best Buy chain stores throughout the mid-west.

Bill McFarland &
The Chicago Horns
"Alive & Live CD""
Press Release
 

            Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns are alive and well hitting the streets, jazz clubs and airwaves of America with their second CD release on Sopro Records.  The Chicago Horns are kicking out the jams with this CD release, aptly named, ‘Alive & Live’.  The CD contains eight outstanding tracks.  Four of the tracks were recorded ‘live’ at two of the world’s most renowned Chicago Jazz clubs, The Green Mill Jazz Club and Green Dolphin Street Jazz Club.  The other four tracks are studio recordings exquisitely recorded at Chicago Trax Studios.  Bill McFarland produced all of these outstanding tracks with the engineering help of Freddy Brietberg at Chicago Trax, Dave Freeman at Green Dolphin Street and Kirk Brown at The Green Mill.

            ‘Alive & Live’ is the follow up to their successful debut CD release ‘Fire Horns’ produced by Bill McFarland and the legendary Paul Serrano, which has received critical acclaim by some of the top jazz writers in America.  These writers include Neil Tesser, Howard Reich, Lloyd Sachs, Jay Harvey, Terrance Flamm, Nort Johnson and David Alan Buco.  All of these reviews can be seen and read on The Chicago Horns website located at www.sopromusic.com along with further bios, photos, artwork and sound samples of the ‘Fire Horns’ and ‘Alive & Live’ CD’s.  With the release of ‘Alive & Live’, Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns are once again showcasing their dynamic and unique jazz music talents.  Accompanying them on this great new musical journey are some of the most outstanding jazz musicians of our time.  The song writing of The Chicago Horns group and associated musicians continues to exemplify their strong musical attributes, their writing and production talents on their original songs and their exceptional re-creations of three timeless and beautiful Jazz standards. 

                     Bill McFarland Chicago’s Slide Trombone Legend, Kenny Anderson the Mid-west’s Trumpet Titan and Hank Ford the Saxophone Sensation of the Nation, have taken their combined musical genius of brass horns, harmonics and song and once again have created their own, ‘Statement of Jazz’.  They are now driving it right into the new millennium.  Along with an all star cast of great writers, musicians and outstanding live performers, The Chicago Horns CD release, ‘Alive & Live’ is the jazz album to take you into the new millennium with song, style, grace, love and peace.

            The first track on ‘Alive & Live’    is    a  re-arranged version of ‘Mar-Di-Gras’ which was recorded on The Chicago Horns debut CD release ‘Fire Horns’.  This track was recorded live at Green Dolphin Street Jazz Club.  Written and performed by Trombonist and band leader Bill McFarland with Kenny Anderson on Trumpet and Hank Ford on Saxophone along with Kirk Brown on Piano, Bassist Yosef Ben Isreal and Drummer Y. L. Douglas.  ‘Mar-Di-Gras’ will make you feel like your are taking a stroll down Bourbon Street as if your were there at midnight with a full moon shining brightly overhead during Mardi Gras in famous old New Orleans.

            The re-creation of the timeless jazz standard ‘Black Nile’, written by Wayne Shorter, is a strong statement by The Chicago Horns that they can lean back into the past and bring a great song into the new millennium.  The Chicago Horns do this with taste and style as it was created by the prolific Shorter.  The track was recorded live at The Green Mill Jazz Club featuring the same musicians as ‘Mar-Di-Gras’.

                     ‘Bonita Senorita’, written and performed brilliantly by Pianist Kirk Brown was recorded at Chicago Trax Studios.  ‘Bonita Senorita’ is a catchy and wonderful song that showcases Kirk Brown’s outstanding Piano talents.  Joining The Chicago Horns with a great rhythm section performance on this track are Bassist Bernard Reed and Drummer Asa Watkins along with Guitarist Vince Agwada.

            ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’, written by the world-renowned duo of Mort Dixon and Ray Henderson, is taken to another level of perfection by The Chicago Horns.  This timeless jazz classic has a rare and unique vocal track that has not been found on previous Chicago Horns recordings or performances.  The vocals on ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ are beautifully sung by vocalist Eddie Chappell and will take you back to the early years of great jazz vocalists with Eddies Chappell’s quality and scat-type approach on his vocal performance. ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ was recorded live at Green Dolphin  Street.  Kirk Brown performs on the Piano along with Yoseph Ben Isreal on Bass and Y. L. Douglas on Drums.

            Taking another great jazz standard into the new millennium with perfection is exactly what The Chicago Horns do in their re-creation of the great jazz song ‘Impressions’ written by the legendary John Coltrane.  This track was recorded live at Green Dolphin Street with Kirk Brown on Piano, Yosef Ben Isreal on Bass and Y. L. Douglas on Drums.  Kenny Anderson’s Trumpet is highlighted on this track and he continues to show his Trumpet playing brilliance with a dazzling performance.

            ‘Magoo’, written by Bassist Bernard Reed, is a wonderfully written and performed song that again shows the dynamic sounds of The Chicago Horns.  Bernard Reed performs flawlessly on the Bass and Toby Williams on Drums rounds out the rhythm section with exceptional ease.  Guitarist Herb Walker adds his majestic Guitar tones to the track along with the addition of Chicago Jazz great Vince Willis on Piano.  ‘Magoo’ was recorded at Chicago Trax Studios.

            Saxophonist Hank Ford adds his trademark writing and playing performance on ‘Scat’.  Hank’s consummate saxophone qualities and tones along   with Vince Willis’ wonderful Piano solo is a pleasure to feel and hear.  Bassist Bernard Reed and Drummer Toby Williams add their magical rhythm section touch to the track along with Guitarist Herb Walker.  ‘Scat’ was recorded at Chicago Trax Studios.

                  The crowning achievement of writing, performance and recording on The Chicago Horns ‘Alive and Live’ CD release is the beautiful and majestic song ‘Cease For Peace’.  Written and performed by Bassist Bernard Reed and co-written with his brother Danny Reed with the Horns arrangements by Bill McFarland. ‘Cease For Peace’ is a worldly proclamation and a powerful statement of peace and world unity in our present time of life throughout the world.  The many musical changes throughout the song plays out in harmonic melodies with the dynamic sound of The Chicago Horns interwoven together in a unity of Brass power and viscerally exciting piano, guitar and rhythm section tones.  ‘Cease For Peace’ takes the listener from quite moments of life, thought, time and place to cacophonous three part horn sections with interwoven melodies of harmonic tones beautifully accompanied by Vince Agwada’s perfect guitar tones along with Kirk Brown  on Piano     and    Asa  Watkins    on Drums. Agwada’s guitar performance is reminiscent of Jimmy Page’s guitar virtuoso as he performed on his classic song ‘Kashmir’, with crescendos of power and sliding back to beautiful jazz tones as jazz guitar masters have previously done.  The ending vocal statement by Bernard Reed will reach down to the heart and cut down deep into the soul of the listener.  Bernard’s vocal statement strikes out dramatically at the listener and is reminiscent of the great story telling song style and vocal statements of jazz great Lou Rawls and the legendary song writing of Marvin Gaye.  Bernard’s vocal statement is a statement of love, world peace and that we must all unite together to save the children of the world, for they will be the future of the world.  ‘Cease For Peace’ is a New World Anthem of music that will surely touch the heart, the soul and send a message of peace and love to the universe as a call to arms for world peace for humanity.  

            “Live For Life, Cease The Strife, This Gift We All Share, Every Man, Woman and Child, Toys For Tots, Something For The Have-nots, Learn To Love, Give And Get A Helping Hand, We Must All Have, There Are No Second Chances, You Live By What You Give, Save The Children, Save The Love, The Blessings,
‘CEASE FOR PEACE'.