Mad Scientist Music Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra

• 1 We're Back, Baby! 06:36
• 2 The Misinformation Age 08:50
• 3 Always 06:11
• 4 The Mixup 07:22
• 5 Anne Marie 05:19
• 6 Just 'Cuz 06:27
• Total Runtime 40:45

Info for Mad Scientist Music

One night, after a set by my “Way of the Groove” band at Washington, D.C.’s jazz club, Blues Alley, the owner, Harry Schnipper approached me excitedly and exclaimed, “I finally figured out what this music is: it’s mad scientist music and you’re Dr. Frankenstein!” The tune that had him most worked up was a small group version of The Misinformation Age which I adapted for big band for this recording. I like the idea of my office (where I write) being my mad scientist’s laboratory where I’m creating things that will eventually have a life of their own…things that some might find strange, unusual, or possibly even monstrous…though hopefully most find to be fun and exciting. Some of the ideas on this recording are among the most complicated I’ve ever put to paper, so I thought this title worked pretty well. Of course the real fun happens when I get to leave my evil lair and make music with my good friends, who just happen to be some of the best large-ensemble jazz musicians on the planet.

I have to say a word about the recording team. Recording wizard Bob Dawson has made more big band records than anyone else I know. He has recorded the Airmen of Note for nearly fifty years. I truly believe he is one of the great engineers of our age and his big band work is second to none in my opinion. As music director of the Note and on my own, I have worked closely with Bob and Note alum Rich Sigler (who has done all the Note’s editing for many years) to produce 19 records. My sonic goal for each has been to be able to look inside the ensemble and hear every piece clearly. I think we’ve gotten pretty close several times and I’m quite proud of our work together.

"...never predictable or repetitive...The performances are consistently high-powered and often explosive, making this outing by the Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra quite memorable." (L.A. Jazz Scene)

Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra
Ben Patterson, trombones, direction

Recorded and mixed by Bob Dawson at BIAS Studios, Springfield, VA
Recorded on November 20-21, Dec 1, 2023
Mastered by Mike Monsieur at Axis Studios, Nashville, TN
Produced by Ben Patterson, Rich Sigler, & Bob Dawson

Ben Patterson
is one of the most easily recognizable trombonists and big band arrangers today. His fiery approach to the trombone, whether from the lead chair or solo mic, has excited listeners around the world for more than two decades.

From his early years in his hometown of Sapulpa, OK, Ben was drawn to sounds of all kinds. He had a drive to compose tunes by the age of eight. When he started trombone in 6th grade, he found his voice. Sapulpa’s excellent directors pushed him to improve and exposed him to great music. Ben continued his education at the University of North Texas, where he continued to develop his playing chops. While at UNT, Ben started a lifelong friendship with Alan Baylock, who encouraged and helped hone his composing and arranging skills.

For over twenty-two years, Ben was a member of the The Airmen of Note, where he rose to the positions of lead trombonist and music director. While with the “Note,” Ben performed hundreds of concerts and clinics all over the U.S. and abroad, recorded 16 albums (featuring many of his compositions and arrangements) worked with countless guests artists, and even entertained U.S. presidents. As the band’s musical director, Ben produced ten Jazz Heritage Series recordings with guests including such artists as Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, and Christian McBride. Ben also produced three stand-alone recordings for the Note, including “Veterans of Jazz,” “Air Power,” and “Global Reach,” which expanded the band’s repertoire with music from around the world.

In 2016, Ben launched the Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra with its first recording, “Vital Frequencies featuring Chris Potter.” The band includes some of the Washington D.C. area’s top musicians and has performed at Blues Alley and for the Washington Performing Arts Society Gala. In 2020, Ben launched The Ben Patterson Group, featuring long-time musical collaborators Shawn Purcell (guitar), Paul Henry (bass), and Todd Harrison (drums). The group’s 2021 Origin Records release, “Push the Limits,” which also featured pianist Chris Ziemba, climbed to the JazzWeek Top 50 radio chart. The group’s newest release, “The Way of the Groove” was released in 2022 and featured Harry Appelman on organ and fellow UNT graduate Luis Hernandez on tenor saxophone.

In the Washington D.C. area, Ben has been a regular lead player and soloist with bands such as the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Fran Vielma’s Pan American Orchestra, the Steve Williams Mighty Little Big Band, the Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, and The Joe McCarthy/Vince Norman Big Band. He was also a long-time member of the popular Latin group, Sin Miedo led by Didier Prossaird.

Ben’s furious technique and rhythmic diversity come from a strong personal belief that we should never limit ourselves to the ordinary or let others define for us what is possible. He is inspired by musical risk-takers and relishes a fearless approach to music.

Ben delights in sharing his love and enthusiasm for music with musicians of all ages and experience levels, building the connections that tie the musical community together, and helping the next generation of musicians fan the flames of their internal spark. In addition to performing countless clinics and master-classes for high schools, festivals, and the Jazz Education Network Conference, Ben has served as the jazz trombone adjunct faculty for The University of Maryland and the director of the W.T. Woodson High School Jazz Band, and currently serves as the Master of Jazz Trombone instructor for The University of Arkansas at Monticello.

This album contains no booklet.