Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra - Mad Scientist Music (2025)

One night, after a set by my “Way of the Groove” band at Washington, D.C.’s jazz club, Blues Alley, the owner, Harry Schnipper approached me excitedly and exclaimed, “I finally figured out what this music is: it’s mad scientist music and you’re Dr. Frankenstein!” The tune that had him most worked up was a small group version of The Misinformation Age which I adapted for big band for this recording. I like the idea of my office (where I write) being my mad scientist’s laboratory where I’m creating things that will eventually have a life of their own…things that some might find strange, unusual, or possibly even monstrous…though hopefully most find to be fun and exciting. Some of the ideas on this recording are among the most complicated I’ve ever put to paper, so I thought this title worked pretty well. Of course the real fun happens when I get to leave my evil lair and make music with my good friends, who just happen to be some of the best large-ensemble jazz musicians on the planet.

I have to say a word about the recording team. Recording wizard Bob Dawson has made more big band records than anyone else I know. He has recorded the Airmen of Note for nearly fifty years. I truly believe he is one of the great engineers of our age and his big band work is second to none in my opinion. As music director of the Note and on my own, I have worked closely with Bob and Note alum Rich Sigler (who has done all the Note’s editing for many years) to produce 19 records. My sonic goal for each has been to be able to look inside the ensemble and hear every piece clearly. I think we’ve gotten pretty close several times and I’m quite proud of our work together.

"…never predictable or repetitive…The performances are consistently high-powered and often explosive, making this outing by the Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra quite memorable." (L.A. Jazz Scene)

Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra
Ben Patterson, trombones, direction

Recorded and mixed by Bob Dawson at BIAS Studios, Springfield, VA
Recorded on November 20-21, Dec 1, 2023
Mastered by Mike Monsieur at Axis Studios, Nashville, TN
Produced by Ben Patterson, Rich Sigler, & Bob Dawson

TRACKLIST

1. Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra;Shawn Purcell;Luke Brandon - We're Back, Baby!
2. Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra;Chris Ziemba;Todd Harrison;Mike Cemprola;Fran Vielma - The Misinformation Age
3. Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra;Doug Morgan - Always
4. Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra;Tedd Baker;Xavier Perez;Kevin Cerovich;Alec Aldred;Luke Brandon - The Mixup
5. Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra;Ben Patterson - Anne Marie
6. Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra;Ben Patterson;Todd Harrison;Mike Cemprola;Alec Aldred - Just 'Cuz