The Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra

The Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra: Just for Now

by Jack Bowers
March 2, 2003

I recently sent my brother Tom two albums by the same big band and later asked how he liked them. “They’re both quite good,” he said, “but [disc A] is more enjoyable than [disc B] because it’s live; you just can’t capture the power and excitement of a big band in a studio.” Another who endorses that premise is trombonist Dave McMurdo whose Toronto-based Jazz Orchestra has produced five albums, three for attentive and appreciative audiences at Toronto’s Montreal Bistro ...