Monstrosity! (CSULA album)

Monstrosity!
Studio album by California State University, Los Angeles Jazz Ensemble
Released	1988
Recorded	Sage and Sound Recording Hollywood, California
Genre	Jazz, Big band, instrumental
Label	H D C Music Publications
Producer	David Caffey and Scott Ackerman
California State University, Los Angeles Jazz Ensemble chronology
Diversions (1987) '''Monstrosity!''' (1988) It's About Time (1990)
cat. # CSULA 888

Monstrosity! is the final LP Vinyl album release by the California State University, Los Angeles Jazz Ensemble before going to CD format in 1990. In addition to the big band the LP featured the CSULA Jazz Quintet^[1] which won the Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival Combo division for 1988.^[2] Los Angeles Times jazz critic Zan Stewart comments, "(Monstrosity!) finds the first-rate Cal State Los Angeles Jazz Ensemble tearing through a handful of vital originals--Jose Arellano's title track and director David Caffey's "Samba de Linda" among them..."^[3] The jazz band had numerous student musicians that have made a name for themselves as professionals to include Sharon Hirata,^[4] Luis Bonilla, Jack Cooper, Charlie Richard, Corey Gemme, Eric "Bobo" Correa, Vince Dublino, Alan Parr, Paul De Castro, Alex Henderson, and José Arellano.

Background

In 1984 and 1985 the California State University, Los Angeles Music Department and CSULA Associated Students decided to fund LP recordings of the jazz ensemble to better serve as a teaching tool for student music, jazz groups. Monstrosity is the fourth of six albums to come from CSULA during the 1980s featuring the award winning CSULA #1 Jazz Ensemble.^[5] The LP contains tracks from the #1 CSULA Jazz Ensemble to include compositions of four students and from the director (professor David Caffey).

The qualities of the LP that set it apart from numerous university jazz records of that era is the fact it was entirely written, composed, and copied (music also professionally copied by student Sharon Hirata)^[6] by the students and faculty of CSULA at such a high level; also this being the fourth LP in a row CSULA had done this.^[7] There has been a consistent tradition of musicians coming from the CSULA program who have worked with major musical acts, on major studio and movie projects, and hold positions in higher education in music. The roster on this album is self evident as to the diversity and level of student musicians CSULA developed at that time and has for many years dating far back to musicians (graduates) such as Lennie Niehaus and Gabe Baltazar.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by various artists listed. 

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Monstrosity! (José Arellano)"	5:44
2.	"Karen And Norman (Jack Cooper))[8]"	7:20
3.	"Evening Thoughts (José Arellano)"	4:54
4.	"Tasha's Revenge (Scott Ackerman)"	6:42
5.	"Samba De Linda (David Caffey)[9]"	6:55
6.	"Pressing The Issue (Woody Shaw) - CSULA Jazz Quintet -[1]"	7:43
7.	"Blues For Wood (Woody Shaw, arr. Luis Bonilla)"	7:10
Total length:		44:65

Recording Sessions

• Recorded: May 22, 28 and June 4, 1988 Sage and Sound Recording, Hollywood, California
• Mixing: September 1 and October 1, 1988 Sage and Sound Recording, Hollywood, California

Personnel

Musicians

• Conductor: David Caffey

• Saxes and woodwinds: Sharon Hirata, David Quillen, Jack Cooper, Scott Ackerman, Randall Willis
• Trumpets and flugelhorns: Barry Parr, Alan Parr, Corey Gemme, Albert Balderas, Chris Mauger
• Trombones: Gary Smith, Luis Bonilla, José Arellano, Alex Henderson
• Piano: Paul De Castro*Vibraphone and marimba: Cory Estrada
• Bass: Ruben Ramos
• Drums: Vince Dublino and Marc Guité
• Percussion: Eric Bobo Correa

Production

• Recording engineers: Jim Mooney and Jerry Wood
• Mixing engineers: Jim Mooney and David Caffey
• Mastering: David Travis, KM Recording Services
• Cover photo: Stan Carstenson, CSULA Creative Media Services
• Jacket design: Scott Ackerman, Sandra Fuentes, David McNutt, CSULA Creative Media Services

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Los Angeles Times	[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} The CSULA Jazz Quintet 1988: Luis Bonilla (leader-trombone), Albert Balderez (trumpet), José Arellano (piano), Ruben Ramos (bass), Vinnie Dublino (drums)
2. ^ Monstrosity!, liner notes, Cal State L.A. Jazz Ensemble LP. 1988
3. ^ ^{a b} New jazz LP reviews. Stewart, Zan. The Los Angeles Times Jazz Notes, May 10, 1989
4. ^ Sharon Hirata featured on tenor with the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, 2008
5. ^ 1982 Playboy Jazz Festival winner, 1986 finals of the Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival, 1988 combo winner of the Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival, special invited performances at the 1987 MENC Convention in Seattle and the 1989 IAJE Convention in San Diego
6. ^ Note: Sharon Hirata was paying for school tuition from income as a freelance music copyist and working on T.V. shows such as The Dukes of Hazzard and other CBS productions before the time of computer generated music engraving.
7. ^ Monstrosity! liner notes, Cal State L.A. Jazz Ensemble LP. 1988.
8. ^ Karen and Norman, UNC Jazz Press
9. ^ Samba De Linda, UNC Jazz Press, Listing and Sound file