RHBOB Trailer

3 AAJ Reviews

Three reviews of Pocono Git-Down have recently been published on AllAboutJazz.com, rating the album 4.5, 4, and 4 stars.

Here are some excerpts:

"[Pocono Git-Down] is a sensational and exciting big band recording that deserves serious attention.” —Edward Blanco

“…these players from Central Pennsylvania—of all places—just blow you away.” —Richard Salvucci

“With Pocono Git-Down, Hirsch’s Big Ol’ Band has made a grand ol’ debut.” —Jack Bowers

Click an author's name to read his full review.

CD now on Bandcamp

Pocono Git-Down is now on Bandcamp, where it is available as a download & CD. Annnnd, 5-packs of Big Ol' Band stickers are available there, too.

Check out the Big Ol' merch store:

rickhirsch.bandcamp.com

It takes a village...

How 250+ people contributed their talent, time, or money to bring a big band record to life.

Are you a Hepcat?

I just got this recording of my newest saxophone quartet arrangement, God Rest Ye Merry, Hepcats.

It's from the soon-to-be-released SaxMASS CD by Miles & Lisa Osland's excellent saxophone studio at the University of Kentucky. Check out the whole CD » here «.

I hope you dig it.

New download-only bonus track album

Click album cover for more info & to download track(s)

Here are 9 never-before-released studio recordings from a pair of sessions in 2008 (jazz sextet) and 2010 (big band). 

On the three sextet tracks you can hear young lions Billy Test, Aaron Kimmel, and Greg Johnson just as they were on the cusp of breaking through to national recognition. This was a working band so it was tight!

On the six big band tracks you can hear an all-star consort that includes pianist Steve Rudolph, trumpeters Eddie Severn and Barry Long, trombonist Paul Leskowicz, and saxophonists Jonathan Ragonese and Tim Powell.

You can purchase individual tracks or the entire collection in high-quality downloads.

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300-strong, oh yeah

For each of the past 15 football seasons I have written at least one arrangement for the Penn State University Blue Band. Some years I'll write two or three arrangements, depending on what shows they program.

Anyhow, I love writing for them. And it's always a thrill to show up at their dress rehearsals to hear this year's arrangement played by humans for the first time (contrasted with playback by the Finale All-Stars on my computer).

Anyhow, I got to write the closer to the first halftime show of this year, a no-holds-barred power-ballad treatment of Journey's Open Arms.

Here's the no-holds-barred part:

Here's the whole arrangement:

Big Ol' Band — live gig!

This Monday, July 18 is the warm-up gig for our CD recording session.

And, here's a great preview/write-up from LanasterOnline.com: