Chad Rager grew up listening to horn bands, And drums. From school jazz
bands to the Big Bands
of Benny Goodman; Count Basie; Woody Herman; Buddy Rich's Big Band; and horn
bands like
Tower of Power; Chicago; and Blood, Sweat & Tears, the power and sound of
horns coupled with the
craftmanship of a great drummer filled his dreams and aspirations.
In todays'
world, keeping a big band together and working is a difficult proposition at
best. In 1993, Chad Rager began his journey to fulfilling
his musical dreams by starting a big band. Chad decided to try a new approach
with a sleeker, scaled-down instrumentation. With five horns and a three piece
rhythm section, Rager was able to accomplish his musical goals while making
the band more manageable and, at the same time, creating a new sound.
Naming the band the "Chad Rager Groove" reflected the fact
that this band is not confined to traditional big band jazz selections,
but ventures out into rock and funk selections as well. The guiding foundation of the band is the "groove", so the
name made sense. Former Strokeland manager Andy Ebon brought the Chad
Rager Groove to Strokeland and worked to bring this release to fruition.
Chad Rager and his band bring a fresh groove to old and new arrangements.
When considering a song, Chad says he wonders, ". . .what I can
bring to this tune to lift it, drive it, and make it as musically great
as possible. Every song selected has affected me in a musical and personal
way. I feel blessed to be able to perform them!"
The Band consists of 2 trumpets, tenor sax, bari sax, trombone, keyboards,
bass and drums.
"Strokeland
Records is excited to welcome the Chad Rager Groove. This is a high-energy
big band that's not afraid to tackle any style of music
and
add their own special flair. Chad Rager anchors the group with a strong
drumming style reminiscent of some of the finest big band drummers, yet
adds his own innovative groove."
--
Steve Finch, Strokeland Records
PARTIAL SONGLIST
Sing, Sing, Sing - Louie Prima
Straight No Chaser
- Thelonius Monk
April In Paris - Count Basie
The Heats On - Sammy Nestico
Satin Doll - Duke Ellington
Sentimental Journey - Glenn Miller
Zomba Somba - Brooke Hopkins
What Is Hip - Tower of Power
Squib Cakes - Tower of Power
Smile - Pason, Phillips, Chaplin
St. Bernard - Chad Rager & Bob
Murnahan
Pyramid of Pacyderms - Tim Davis
Whippin' Post - The Allman Brothers
Groovin' Hard - Buddy Rich
Tangled & Dark - Bonnie Rait
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
- Tommy Dorsey
Four Brothers - Woody Herman
Foot Stomping Music -Grand Funk Railroad
Back In Black - ACDC
Tune 88 - Jeff Lorber
Sambandrea Swing - Louie Bellson
and many more!
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