Al McLean & Kevin Dean - The Big Conn

This driving original by Canadian saxophonist Al McLean propels the band around some hairpin curves, but the trip is fresh and exciting throughout. Kevin Dean joins McLean at Montreal hot spot Diese Onze (French for 'Sharp Eleven'), and some fabulous music shakes out.

As per the theme of the Jazz, Period. series, the duo takes up some special vintage instruments for the affair, Dean playing on a 1949 Conn 2B New World Symphony trumpet, and McLean on a very special 1925 Conn Chu Berry alto sax. This saxophone belonged to the legendary Count Basie soloist Marshal Royal, and has been lovingly tuned by Al McLean for this concert. The sax is a rare 'Portrait Model', with a hand engraved bust of a beautiful woman. The instrument is considered a 'presentation model', and is mostly in burnished gold, with silver highlights in the 'portrait'.

For more great images and music, please visit:
http://www.randycolephoto.com
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jazz-lullabies-feat.-marie/id511548368

The Big Conn - Composed by Al McLean
Al McLean - Saxophone
Kevin Dean - Trumpet
Adrian Vedady - Bass
Jim Doxas - Drums
Andre White - Piano

Filmed at Diese Onze Jazz Club, January 30, 2014
Thanks to Gary Tremblay & Robin Bruneau

Filmed and edited by Randy Cole
Steadycam operator - Joshua Hansen
Sound by Randy Cole

Kevin Dean is professor, and a founding faculty member of the Jazz Department at McGill University's Schulich School of Music (http://www.mcgill.ca/music/).

More on Kevin Dean:
http://kevindeanmusic.com/
http://people.mcgill.ca/kevin.dean/

Read more about Al McLean here:
http://www.almclean.com/about.html

Filmed at Diese Onze Jazz Club, October 30, 2013
Thanks to Gary Tremblay & Robin Bruneau
Kelly Craig for assistance with audio tracking
and Twigg Musique for their help and support

More on Diese Onze: http://www.dieseonze.com
More on Twigg Musique: http://www.twigg-musique.com

Filmed and edited by Randy Cole
Steadycam operator - Joshua Hansen