New Dallas Wind Symphony Release from RR

SAN FRANCISCO – An all-American collaboration, The Dallas Wind Symphony and the Jim Cullum Jazz Band team up on this new sonic spectacular from Reference Recordings, PLAYING WITH FIRE! The five pieces presented here offer a musical panorama from composer Frank Ticheli (b.1958). Light to dark, to joyous jazz celebration, it is all here for the listener. The first four pieces are among the best by this famed concert band composer. The final composition, PLAYING WITH FIRE combines the mighty Dallas Wind Symphony with enthusiastic playing by the 7-piece Jim Cullum Jazz Band! Wind band fans and traditional jazz enthusiasts will revel in these splendid performances.

Conducted by Jerry Junkin and recorded in the Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas TX, the great music and its exceptional sonic palette are expertly captured by Reference Recordings’ world-renowned team of engineer Keith Johnson and producer Tam Henderson.

FRANK TICHELI is well known for his works for concert band, many of which have become standards in the repertoire. He has appeared as guest conductor of his music at Carnegie Hall, at many American universities and music festivals, and in cities throughout the world. Ticheli joined the faculty of the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music in 1991, where he is Professor of Composition. His music has been described as “optimistic and thoughtful” (Los Angeles Times), “lean and muscular” (New York Times), and “brilliantly effective” (Miami Herald).

Organized in 1962, the JIM CULLUM JAZZ BAND is known worldwide for playing classic jazz plus music by great American composers. Since 1987, the weekly Riverwalk radio broadcasts (PRI) have featured the ensemble with distinguished musical guests.

Conductor JERRY JUNKIN is Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony, as well as Director of Bands at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also holds the title of University Distinguished Teaching Professor.

America’s premier professional wind band, the DALLAS WIND SYMPHONY was founded in 1985 and has made over 15 recordings. Consisting of woodwinds, brass and percussion, they perform and record in the I. M. Pei-designed Meyerson Symphony Center.

Founded in San Francisco in 1976, Reference Recordings believes that how a recording sounds is as important as the music itself. RR thanks everyone who was instrumental in bringing this outstanding album to life, especially Engineer: “Prof.” Keith O. Johnson (Grammy award-winning engineer, inventor and entertainment technologist).