Dave Slonaker Big Band “Shifty Paradigms” Album Release and ASMAC Social

I had such an incredible time with my ASMAC family, celebrating the release of a brand-new album by Grammy-nominated composer, arranger, trombonist, and ASMAC Board Member Dave Slonaker! The album, cleverly titled Shifty Paradigms, since, to quote Mr. Slonaker, “paradigm shift was already taken,” explores the ever-evolving big band genre and Dave’s relationship to it, honoring the musical legends that have made him the composer he is today, as well as new generations of composers and arrangers, offering a glimpse of what’s to come for the beloved big band tradition.

I was instantly swept away by the music, opening the concert with the tune that “started it all,” Intrada. An accomplished film/tv composer, Dave shared an anecdote about all the waiting around one has to do in that industry—waiting to get a gig, then waiting for the gig to start… then once you get the gig, waiting for someone else to do what they have to do, so you can do what you have to do! In his spare time, to keep the creative juices flowing, he began writing arrangements for his son’s high school, ended up forming his own big band, garnering a Grammy-nomination in 2014 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, and the rest is history!

Dave engaged the audience with great patter, setting up each song with a fun story, whether it be about the “Reckless Drivers of the West Valley” app, which inspired Dash Cam or Blue Windows, which reflected upon the use of windows in paintings as a metaphor for interior and exterior points of view. ASMAC got a special shoutout from the stage, as Dave spoke about legendary arranger Bill Holman (1927–2024), with whom he formed a meaningful friendship at the ASMAC luncheons, hosted at Catalina Jazz Club. Profoundly inspired by Bill’s music, when Dave shared his first CD with Bill, he bashfully admitted, “I think I sound too much like you,” to which Bill responded, with a twinkle in his eye, “Really? I don’t hear it!” Admiring Mr. Holman’s ability to “take a very common tune and create a masterpiece,” Dave dedicated his arrangement of Bye Bye Blues to Bill.

As a composer, there’s nothing quite like hearing your music performed by top-notch musicians, and it’s even better when those musicians are your friends! Almost half the members of the Dave Slonaker Big Band went to school together and have been collaborating ever since. As a trumpet player, I loved listening to the legendary Wayne Bergeron, Dan Fornero, Clay Jenkins, and Ron Stout, the killer trombone section made up of Alex Iles, Charlie Morillas, Ido Meshulam, Paul Nelson and swingin’ saxes played by Bob Sheppard, Brian Scanlon, Rob Lockart, Tom Luer, and Adam Schroeder. Holding it down in the rhythm section was Ed Czach on piano, Edwin Livingston on bass, Brian Kilgore on percussion, Andy Waddell on guitar and Peter Erskine who literally wrote the book on drumming (we used his Drumset Essentials Vol. 1 in my Intro to Drumming Class at USC!).

All in all, it was a superb evening of new music at one of the best jazz clubs in LA! I’ve grown up going to shows at Catalina, and am always thrilled when we’re greeted by Manny and Francisco! I loved spending time with Liz Finch, Charles Fernandez, Bonnie Janofsky, Annette Johnson, and Jeannie Pool at the ASMAC tables, and was delighted to receive a free autographed CD of Shifty Paradigms. I was so inspired by that evening’s music that I made sure to buy his other albums Convergency and Intrada at the door!

If you’re a composer/arranger longing to explore the big band world, I highly encourage you to check out the ASMAC First Wednesday Hangs with John Mitchell’s Flight 584 Big Band—Ed. note: next one is Wed 1 April 2026—at The Mayflower Club and bring your own original big band chart!

—Oliviana Marie, Emerging Professionals Committee

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