Glenn Zottola

Come Fly with Me

There have been few musicians in jazz history who have successfully played the trumpet and saxophone - two unrelated instruments - at an equally high level and the great Benny Carter comes to mind as being one. Glenn Zottola seemed to follow Carter's lead as he put down the trumpet many years ago to pursue the saxophone, a much less demanding instrument, before like Carter, returning to the horn on his recent critically-acclaimed Clifford Brown Remembered tribute album. He soon realized just how much he missed his first love much to our benefit. Following other more recent trumpet-led recordings like Getting Sentimental and Miles Davis Remembered, Zottola now presents the current Come Fly with Me, delivering a powerful yet, graceful performance on the instrument as he spreads his wings over a big band trumpet-led session of amazing music.

Kicking off the music with the airy whirlwind sounds of the strings, the familiar 1957 Van Heusen/Cahn standard and title track 'Come Fly with Me, ' enjoys a classic big band and string arrangement perfect for a vocal rendition that Frank Sinatra would have been more than pleased with. This superb instrumental version takes off on the wings of Zottola's distinct lyrical horn capturing a musical flight that's just as lofty. The following 1941 original Billie Holiday song 'God Bless the Child, ' modernized in 1968 with a popular rendition by the rock group Blood Sweat & Tears, takes on an entirely new treatment with a big band version highlighted by light spiritual horn play from the man who, obviously seemed to have been blessed as a child to dominate the horn as he does.

With the strings leading the way once again, one can sense the emotion with which the trumpeter approaches the Ralph Freed classic 'You Leave Me Breathless, ' a brief but beautiful ballad ably conveying the tender feelings its author surely intended. Containing some nice guitar riffs reminiscent of the 1951 Les Paul take of the Morgan Lewis standard 'How High the Moon, ' Zottola and the band turn this one into a swinging piece with the trumpeter reaching slightly and letting it all hang out in a delicious high-note closing. Zottola leaves the ensemble behind temporarily and fronts a superb string section turning on the charm with warm captivating trumpet solos on Russ Colombo's signature love song 'Prisoner of Love. '

The swing continues on the moving 'When Your Lover Has Gone, ' first featured in the 1931 James Cagney movie 'Blonde Crazy, ' becoming a jazz standard long after. This propulsive rendition features the leader's powerful sound accompanied by a swinging ensemble including a fine piano solo in the mix, altogether making this one, a stand out track of the set. Written by composer Jule Styne for the 1964 Broadway play 'Funny Girl, ' 'People' will always be remembered as one of Barbra Streisand's most iconic performances. Here, the trumpeter stays true to the balladic nature of the piece delivering a gorgeous and humbling take respectful of the songwriter and singer who gave it to the world.

Zottola is especially expressive on the turbulent 'There'll Be Some Changes Made, ' wielding an aggressive hot trumpet on another swinging piece that also showcases a particularly muscular-sounding orchestra featured often on these horn-led sessions. Great Italian-American pop crooners like Dean Martin, Sinatra, Al Martino and Jerry Vale - all embraced the popular 1958 'Volare, ' first introduced by Italian singer Domenico Modugno and here, the trumpeter departs from the usual all- instrumental approach to his music by including background vocals, lyrics in both English and Italian, playful clapping and some exciting rock-styled electric guitar riffs for a truly sensational rendition memorable in many ways.

Closing the music in swinging fashion, the leader and band heat up the place with a steamy performance on 'Come Back to Me, ' where the trumpeter and the band, make a strong final statement with Zottola blowing the house down on various high-pitched horn phrases similar to those he employs often and effortlessly, throughout this recording. On Come Fly with Me, one can understand why the trumpet is Glenn Zottola's first, and major musical instrument, whether wielding the horn on a powerful-infused hot phrase or blowing a soft emotional sound, it's quite clear that Zottola is still in command of the instrument that exacts such a high price for those who choose to play it.
Includes actual solo transcriptions and CD containing complete and accompaniment versions.