Peter Erskine, Tim Hagans & The Norrbotten Big Band
“Worth the Wait”This LIVE recording (recorded for the Sveriges Radio P2 at the Kulturcentrum Ebeneses in Luea, Sweden) sees Peter Erskine and Tim Hagans reuniting after both having played together with the Stan Kenton Big Band in the 70’s.  This exemplary recording showcases this wonderful 16 piece big band (of which Hagans is musical director) playing original music of both Hagans and Erskine.  The soloists here are just plain burning.  Beautiful playing by all!  Tim Hagans and Peter Erskine really do shine here, tho.  Listening to Peter playing with a big band is almost like receiving a lesson/clinic on how to properly drive the train.  Lest we forget, Erskine began his career as a teenager with Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson before leaving the big band setting to play with Weather Report in his twenties.  Peter is swinging HARD here, reminding us of just how special and rare a talent he is.  As endlessly musical and versatile a drummer as I’ve ever heard.  Likewise, Tim Hagans is not only a wonderful composer and arranger, but a truly beautiful soloist.  His trumpet has a wonderful velvety tone and his playing is clean, articulate and endlessly musical.  Any lover of big band music will surely treasure this refreshingly contemporary recording.  Oh yeah…  and there are drum solos (or features) on every track so tell your drummer friends to grab a note pad, sit down and listen to the master!