*Number One Son*

With **Bernie Dresel** as Captain at the helm, this Clipper ship was deftly and gracefully navigated on an epic adventure that harkens back to the golden era of music and production. He provides the guidance and the driving energy that propels this ensemble forward with kinetic force.
This jazz orchestra is comprised of 16 seasoned pros on the Los Angeles studio scene. The sound has a contemporary and dynamic energy with a focused edge to it that is like no other combo. At times, it is reminiscent of drummer-led ensembles of the past. The instrumental makeup is unique in that there is no piano, but jazz/rockin’ acoustic and electric guitar instead.

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Side A

1. Sentimental Journey (4:47)
Arrangement: Brian Scanlon
Solo: Brian Scanlon

2. Number One Son (5:17)
Arrangement: James McMillen
Solos: Tom Luer, Kris Bergh

3. Tie, No Suit (5:53)
Arrangement: Dave Richards
Solo: Kirsten Edkins

4. G Squared Boogie (4:05)
Arrangement: Grant Geissman
Solo: Grant Geissman

Side B

1. Seven Steps To Heaven (5:37)
Arrangement: James McMillen
Solos: Grant Geissman, Brian Scanlon

2. The Star Crossed Lovers (5:40)
Arrangement: Nan Schwartz
Solo: Kirsten Edkins

3. Giant Steps (3:24)
Arrangement: Jeff Bunnell
Solo: Alex Budman

4. Whipping Post (5:22)
Arrangement: Tony Bonsera
Vocal: Tony Bonsera
Solo: Grant Greissman

Total time: 40:05

Bernie Dresel - Drums
Grant Geissman - Guitars
Ken Wild - Upright Bass (all except A4, B4)
Djordje Stijepovic - Upright Slap Bass (A1, A4, B1)
Dave Richards - Trumpet
Tony Bonsera - Trumpet (all), Vocal (B4), Electric Bass (B4)
Kris Bergh - Trumpet
Jeff Bunnell - Trumpet
Alan Kaplan - Trombone
Ryan Dragon - Trombone
James McMillen - Trombone
Todd Eames - Bass Trombone
Brian Scanlon - Alto & Soprano Saxophone
Kirsten Edkins - Alto Saxophone
Alex Budman - Tenor Saxophone
Tom Luer - Tenor Saxophone
Brian Williams - Baritone Saxophone

Recorded live at EastWest Studios (Studio 1) in Hollywood to a Studer A827-MCH 24 track analog recorder using RTM SM9111 2-inch analog tape at 30ips through its custom 80 input Neve 8078 discrete analog console on October 15/16, 2024.

Mixdown at Village Studios (Studio B) in West Los Angeles onto ½" 2 track Ampex ATR-100 using RTM SM911 analog tape at 30 IPS on November 9/10, 2025.

Mastering and lacquer cutting for the vinyl release was completed by Kevin Gray at Coherent Audio from the original ½-inch 30ips master tapes on December 18,

*THE PUGILIST*

The production of The Pugilist took place against a backdrop of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic spanning several months during 2021. Unlike the two previous albums, which were recorded live and at Capitol Studios, respectively, The Pugilist was recorded without the band ever playing together at the same time. Instead, each of the 17 musicians recorded their particular parts, including improvised solos, separately in their own home studio setting.

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1. The Pugilist 3:49 Composer/Arranger: James McMillen (Baha Pasadena Publishing - ASCAP) Ryan Dragon (Trombone)

2. Running and Jumping 5:05 Composer/Arranger: Andrew Neu (Andrew Neu Music - BMI) Andrew Synowiec: (Guitar), Brian Scanlon (Alto Saxophone), Carl Saunders (Trumpet)

3. Lulu’s Back In Town 3:58 Composers: Al Dubin/Harry Warren, Arranger: Jack Cooper (Warner Bros Inc -Warner Bros Music Div - ASCAP)
Carl Saunders (Trumpet), Rob Lockart (Tenor Saxophone)

4. Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough 4:23 Composer: Michael Jackson, Arranger: James McMillen (Mijac Music - BMI) Andrew Synowiec (Guitar), Kirsten Edkins (Alto Saxophone), James McMillen (Trombone), Tom Luer (Tenor Saxophone), Jeff Bunnell (Trumpet)

5. You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To 5:46 Composer: Cole Porter, Arranger: Dave Richards (Chappell-Co Inc - ASCAP) Andrew Synowiec (Guitar), Brian Scanlon (Alto Saxophone), Bernie Dresel (Tap Dancing)

6. World Premiere 4:50 Composer/Arranger: James McMillen (Baha Pasadena Publishing - ASCAP) Alan Kaplan (Trombone)

7. Positive for the Blues 5:28 Composer/Lyricist/Arranger: Nan Schwartz (Nan Chords Publishing - BMI) Carl Saunders (Vocal)

8. 10or 2oon 3:05 Composer/Arranger: Brian Williams (BariBrian Music Productions - ASCAP) Rob Lockart (Tenor Saxophone - Right), Tom Luer (Tenor Saxophone - Left)

9. Rico’s Rowdy Rhumba 4:30 Composer/Arranger: James McMillen (Baha Pasadena Publishing - ASCAP) Andrew Synowiec (Guitar), Brian Scanlon (Soprano Saxophone)

10. I Got Rhythm 3:41 Composer: George Gershwin, Arranger: James McMillen (WC Music Corp - ASCAP) Kirsten Edkins (Alto Saxophone)

11. La Vie en Rose 3:12 Composer: Edith Piaf/Louiguy (Beuscher Arpege - SACEM), Arranger: Tim Simonec (Warner Music Group - ASCAP) Jamie Hovorka (Trumpet)

12. All Blues 4:51 Composer: Miles Davis, Arranger: Jeff Bunnell (Jazz Horn Music Corporation - BMI) Brian Williams (Baritone Saxophone), Jeff Bunnell (Trumpet)

13. What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 5:42 Composer/Arranger: Andrew Neu (Andrew Neu Music - BMI) Carl Saunders (Trumpet), Andrew Synowiec (Guitar)

14. Zomby Woof 5:00 Composer: Frank Zappa, Arranger: Anthony Bonsera (Munchkin Music Co - ASCAP) Anthony Bonsera (Vocals), Rob Lockart (Tenor Saxophone), Andrew Synowiec (Guitar)

Total Time: 63:20

Bernie Dresel: Drums & “Drums”
Djordje Stijepovic: Upright Slap Bass
Andrew Synowiec: Guitars, Electric Bass (14)
Anthony Bonsera: Trumpet (Lead), Keys, Vocals (14)
Dave Richards: Trumpet (Lead)
Jamie Hovorka: Trumpet (Lead)
Jeff Bunnell: Trumpet
Carl Saunders: Trumpet, Vocal (7)
Alan Kaplan: Trombone (Lead)
Ryan Dragon: Trombone
James McMillen: Trombone
Juliane Gralle: Bass Trombone
Brian Scanlon: Alto & Soprano Saxophone (Lead)
Kirsten Edkins: Alto Saxophone
Rob Lockart: Tenor Saxophone
Tom Luer: Tenor Saxophone
Brian Williams: Baritone Saxophone

Bernie Dresel records with AEA microphones & preamps, and plays Craviotto drums, Sabian cymbals, Remo drumheads, Gon Bops percussion, DW hardware, and Vic Firth drumsticks brushes & mallets.

BERN BERN BERN

Bern Bern Bern is the second album release and first studio recording of The BBB Featuring Bernie Dresel in stereo, surround, and Auro-3D® Native 9.1 Immersive Sound. The DIG•IT Recordings release features over 72 minutes of new compositions and arrangements recorded in a state-of-the-art, multi-track Immersive Sound production. Featuring an energetic stereo spread and aggressive surround extension, Bernie Dresel leads his powerhouse jazz orchestra in a controlled studio performance. As a special guest, nine members from The Los Angeles Clarinet Choir played on “BBB Opener” and “Bern Bern Bern.”

Purchase Album

1. BBB Opener 2:55
James McMillen: Composer & Arranger
2. It’s Alright With Me 4:05
Cole Porter: Composer; Andrew Neu: Arranger
3. Got Groove? 4:43
Scott Healy: Composer & Arranger
4. Bern Bern Bern 4:57
James McMillen: Composer & Arranger
5. A Night In Tunisia 4:49
Dizzy Gillespie & Frank Paparelli: Composers; Jeff Bunnell: Arranger
6. Anything Goes 4:08
Cole Porter: Composer; Nan Schwartz: Arranger
7. Body And Soul 5:24
Johnny Green: Composer; Jeff Bunnell: Arranger

8. The Summit 3:08
James McMillen: Composer & Arranger
9. New Dell Inn 3:40
Michael B. Nelson: Composer & Arranger
10. ALL The Things! 4:47
Brian Williams: Composer & Arranger
11. The World Is A Ghetto 4:50
Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, B.B. Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Charles Miller, Lee Oskar & Howard E. Scott: Composers; Andrew Neu: Arranger
12. Early Spring 5:11
Brian Williams: Composer & Arranger
13. Zuit Soot 4:26
Greg Adams: Composer & Arranger
14. Suite B 15:25
Bill Cunliffe: Composer & Arranger

81ul6MLq1pL._SL1242_.jpg — LIVE N' BERNIN'

This debut album and live performance took place in Burbank, California at Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill, an intimate audience venue The BBB often performs in and whose acoustics are well suited to the project. The BBB performed two one-hour sets of jazz charts, with an initial 30 minutes securing sound checks. The emcee for the evening was Bubba Jackson, renowned KJAZZ 88.1 FM radio personality.

Purchase Album

1. Straight, No Chaser 5:07 (Thelonious Monk: Composer) Andrew Neu: Arranger
2. Five Spot 3:23 (Walter Murphy: Composer/Arranger)
3. On The Sunny Side Of The Street 5:43 (Jimmy McHugh/Dorothy Fields: Composers) Nan Schwartz: Arranger
4. Samba Quente 5:39 (Brian Williams: Composer/Arranger)
5. Wiggle Waggle 6:12 (Herbie Hancock: Composer) Bill Cunliffe: Arranger
6. ’Round Midnight 5:02 (Thelonious Monk/Bernard Hanighen/Cootie Williams: Composers) Herb Phillips: Arranger
7. Bones Akimbo 5:30 (James McMillen: Composer) James McMillen: Arranger
8. The Soulful Mister Timmons 5:28 (James Williams: Composer) Jeff Bunnell: Arranger
9. Magnificent Seven 3:01 (Elmer Bernstein: Composer) Tim Simonec: Arranger
10. What Would Be 5:25 (Steve Bramson: Composer) Steve Bramson: Arranger
11. The Spoiler 5:53 (Scott Healy: Composer) Scott Healy: Arranger
12. Crossing The Boulevard 10:20 (Andrew Neu: Composer/Arranger)