Bobby Streng

The House Band officially released its debut album this week to a large and enthusiastic crowd at the St. Columban Concert Series.  They are such a great listening audience and a real treat to play for.  Andrew Bishop, James Hughes, Mark Kieme, Walter White, Jimmy Smith, Ben Jannson, Mark Berger, Chris Smith, Paul Finkbeiner, Brandon Cooper, Matt Martinez, Steve Hunter, Gary Hellick, Jonathan Ovalle, Matt Henninger, Kris Kurzawa, and Bob Mervak played their asses off!  Special thanks to the series staff and Penny Warmanen for the help.

A composer always treasures the opportunity to have his work performed by the caliber of talent and meticulous nature of the members of this band.  My music is hard, but I write what I want and find the players who can pull it off with grace, style, and bravada.  This was my philosophy with Saxomble, and it continues with the House Big Band.

Look for us to return to the Detroit scene very soon.

From Jazz.com… Reviewer: Mark Saleski
http://www.jazz.com/music/2008/8/27/bobby-streng-saxemble-streng-theory

Rating: 91/100 (learn more)

“Streng Theory,” essentially an exuberant blues brought to life by Bobby Streng’s high-powered group, takes one liberty with the “rules” governing more traditional horn bands: it uses dissonance. Yes, amidst the swaggering bounce, swing and staccato blasts (think Tower of Power), short interjections of horns behaving badly put what Frank Zappa liked to call “the eyebrows” on the music. The added bit of tension and humor ratchets up the fun by several notches.

Warning: May cause inappropriate dancing on living room furniture.

from Jazz.com
http://www.jazz.com/music/2008/7/31/bobby-streng-saxomble-empty-room

Ignore the scary album cover. Those who long for the heyday of jazz-funk horn bands such as Dreams or Tower of Power will find much to like on the CD within. Best of all, it was recorded live, in a Michigan nightclub.

After a dreamy, languid sax-section intro reminiscent of Don Ellis, Saxomble’s tight, competent rhythm section lays down a solid Latin-funk groove propelling the horns through a fairly standard head that somehow manages to keep itself above the clich� waterline. It’s an energetic, polished live performance. Michael Hiemstra delivers a solid tenor solo, fueled by spirited comping from Jonathan Ovalle, the locked-in drive of Henninger’s electric bass and Nick Adams’s crisp drums. But the ensemble really takes flight with Mark Kieme’s intense soprano harangue, which builds to a lofty, explosive conclusion.

Back in my salad days on the road in the ’70s, I found that the Detroit area had the best jazz radio in the country and some of the best musicians to be found anywhere. These young players are living up to that legacy.

Reviewer: Bill Barnes

Here’s a review from Jazz.com of Saxomble’s “Duck’s on Parade”
http://www.jazz.com/music/2008/8/5/bobby-streng-saxomble-ducks-on-parade

“…On its rollicking closer, though, “Ducks on Parade,” the other four saxophonists are all featured. Streng’s resounding baritone vamp lays the foundation for the entries, one at a time, of the other horns, culminating in a contrapuntal interaction that recalls the Saturday Night Live band. Puccio solos first in a searing style similar to Michael Brecker’s, in contrast to Seymour’s more reserved, but equally engaging, following statement. The impressively nimble hard bopper Hiemstra is backed by Henninger’s surprisingly complementary wah-wah effects. Kieme’s ecstatic soprano closes the show, as he displays his formidable chops in addition to a predilection for the extreme upper register of the instrument. Tight band, tight arrangement � and well worth hearing.

Reviewer: Scott Albin”
www.jazz.com