Cheap Thrills: The Music of Rick Margitza

Cheap Thrills, the latest album by saxophonist Rick Margitza, was recorded in 2019 with the South Florida Jazz Orchestra in Miami, at the invitation of the orchestra’s director, bassist Chuck Bergeron. It was released on 28 August 2020 on Summit Records and distributed internationally by MVD Entertainment Group.

Margitza’s first big band album

Cheap Thrills is Margitza’s first big band album, with nine original compositions and Gershwin’s “Embraceable You”. All saxophone solos are by Rick Margitza.

The recording also marks the 15th anniversary of the South Florida Jazz Orchestra. The band has released four albums of original music and presented many great artists in concert, including Randy Brecker, Janis Siegel, Arturo Sandoval, Wycliffe Gordon, Kevin Mahogany, Wayne Bergeron, Tom Scott, Eddie Daniels, Antonio Adolfo and the legendary Ira Sullivan.

Tracklist

1. Cheap Thrills 7:32 · feat. John Hart
2. The Place to Be 7:48 · feat. Martin Bejerano
3. Widow’s Walk 6:43 · feat. John Hart
4. Brace Yourself 6:23 · feat. John Hart, John Yarling
5. 45 Pound Hound 9:30 · feat. Brian Lynch
6. Premonition 9:50 · feat. Martin Bejerano
7. Walls 7:02 · feat. Martin Bejerano
8. Sometimes I Have Rhythm 8:35 · feat. Greg Gisbert
9. Embraceable You 9:52 · feat. Martin Bejerano

All music composed and arranged by Rick Margitza (Aztigram Music), except “Embraceable You” (Gershwin), arranged by Margitza, and “Widow’s Walk” (Margitza), arranged by Dan Gailey.

From Rick

Like many musicians of my generation, I played in big bands as part of the jazz curriculum in high school and college. Most of us also had an arranging class that required us to study and analyze the scores of the masters, and finally write an arrangement of our own. So in a sense, this project is the culmination of a process that started years ago. When I was in high school and college I had the dream of playing in one of the bands that were still on the road. At that time, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, albeit not traveling as much as playing their famous Monday night gig at the Village Vanguard, were still part of the musical landscape.

By the time I was out of college, there were not as many bands on the road. I was lucky enough to play with Maynard in 1985-86, so I did get a taste of the big band road experience. It was my first time on the road and I still remember my mother dropping me off at the bus when I met the band in Detroit. It seemed to complete a big arc, as her father had played bass with Glenn Miller.

This project is a result of me going to the University of Miami (where I studied in 1982-83) to do a master class and be part of a recording with the SFJO. Chuck had asked me to bring a couple of my charts to be included on the recording. I wasn’t sure which ones would work, so I sent him all of them with the idea that he would choose a couple for the CD. To my pleasant surprise, he asked if I would be interested in doing an entire album of my music. Needless to say, I immediately said yes. Between the time I agreed and the actual recording sessions, I wrote four new arrangements.

Going into the studio and hearing the music being brought to life by these incredible musicians was truly an amazing experience. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Chuck and the band for investing their time and energy on this project. Also to John Fedchock, whose band I had the fortune to play and record with when I lived in New York, for bringing his expertise into the studio for us. In these times of streaming music, fewer and fewer record labels are willing to invest in any new project, let alone something of this magnitude. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to record and present this project.

Rick Margitza, 2020

The South Florida Jazz Orchestra

South Florida Jazz Orchestra, directed by Chuck Bergeron. Special guests: John Hart and Brian Lynch.

Saxophones and woodwinds · Gary Keller, Gary Lindsay, Ed Calle, Jason Kush, Mike Brignola
Trumpets · Greg Gisbert, Jason Carder, Alex Norris, Pete Francis, Augie Haas, Jesus Mato, Jared Hall, John Daversa
Trombones · Dante Luciani, John Kricker, Andrew Peal, Major Bailey
Rhythm section · Martin Bejerano (piano), John Hart (guitar), Chuck Bergeron (acoustic and electric bass), John Yarling (drums)
Additional players · Brian Lynch (featured soloist), David Leon (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet), Phil Doyle (tenor saxophone), Derek Pyle (trombone), Haden Mapel (trombone), Xavier Desandre Navarre (percussion)

Key facts