Chad Rager Groove
By drawing from the rich big band heritage of the legends of jazz and updating the sound and instrumentation for today, Chad Rager creates a "21st Century Groove".
This instrumental release was recorded live and features a big band approach that celebrates the traditional musical catalog of the big band, and at the same time reaches beyond it to funk and rock, giving all the tracks the "Chad Rager Groove" treatment.
Chad Rager leads the group and anchors the band from the drum throne. The Chad Rager Groove uses a five piece horn section (two trumpets, tenor sax, bari sax, trombone), plus keyboards (piano, organ), bass and of course drums.
Tower of Power fans will find a unique cover of "Squib Cakes", and southern rock fans will be surprised to hear the Allman Brothers' classic "Whipping Post".
Former Strokeland Records manager Andy Ebon assisted in production of "21st Century Groove" and brought the Chad Rager Groove to Strokeland Records.
Strokeland Records is excited to welcome the Chad Rager Groove to Strokeland Jazz.
Check out the radio stations where 21st Century Groove has received airplay!
Fritz the Nite Owl Jazz
Smooth Jazz WJZA 103.5FM/104.3FM Sunday 9pm to 12 Midnight
www.wjza.com - Columbus, Ohio
Chad Rager Groove: 21st Century Groove (Strokeland Records SR007CD)
It takes only seven words to describe Chad Rager: "a dynamic drummer of the first rank." And this description perfectly defines his latest release, 21st Century Groove recorded live at Mills James Productions in Hilliard.
Chad, a 1972 graduate of Columbus North High, worked our local scene for years as a player, teacher, and clinician. He currently resides in Illinois and fronts Groove, a powerhouse octet that produces an energized big band sound with the intimacy and individuality of a small group.
His drumming reflects his early influences: the power of Krupa, the technique of Rich, the dynamics of Bellson, and the musicality of Roach. To these, he adds his own innovative concepts and strengths, thus creating a percussive punch that's unique - and his alone.
This is exciting, foot-tappin', finger-snappin' foreground jazz at its most-intense - definitely not the CD for use as background at your next tea party, intimate dinner, or romantic interlude. Every track cooks-on-high, from the opening "Sing, Sing, Sing," to the closing "Whipping Post." In between you'll enjoy pulse-pounding performances from the songbooks of Monk and Nestico, along with a few Rager originals.
Chad Rager Groove: 21st Century Groove (Strokeland Records SR007CD)
The Chad Rager Groove features fantastic horns, great bass, sizzling keyboards, superb arrangements of old and new songs, all drawn together by the drum slinger himself. Based in Chicago, drummer Chad Rager rages to the delight of his fellow big band members on such great standards as Monk's "Straight No Chaser," and his own "Pyramid of Pachyderms."This band's arrangements of songs that span the musical spectrum are blowing vehicles for Rager's high energy drumming. Give a listen to "The Heat's On," to hear Rager's innovative grooves and the unconventional comping by each band member. Top picks: "Smile" the classic that everybody loves and "Chicklets" by Brook Hopkins.