Personnel: Charles Tolliver (trumpet); Charles Tolliver; Todd Bashore (clarinet, alto saxophone); Bill Saxton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Howard Glover "Johnny" Johnson, Howard Johnson (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Jimmy Cozier (alto saxophone); Billy Harper (tenor saxophone); Keyon Harrold, David Guy, David Weiss , Chris Albert, James Zollar (trumpet); Joe Fiedler, Clark Gayton, Jason Jackson (trombone); Aaron Johnson (bass trombone, tuba); Cecil McBee (acoustic bass, upright bass); Craig Handy (flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Robert Glasper , Stanley Cowell (piano); Victor Lewis (drums).

Audio Remixer: Malcolm Addey.

Recording information: Bennett Studios, Englewood, NJ (06/02/2006-06/03/2006).

Editor: Malcolm Addey.

Photographer: Jimmy Katz.

Arranger: Charles Tolliver.

Trumpeter Charles Tolliver avoids the usual trap of retro-centric nostalgia inherent to big band settings on this lively 2007 outing. Tolliver's ensemble, which includes members of his fine 1970s outfit Music Inc. Orchestra, unleashes a somewhat raw and ragged energy, and WITH LOVE is all the better for it.

The 16-piece ensemble roars through six Tolliver originals and a Thelonious Monk cover ("'Round Midnight") with a bright, audacious confidence. Tolliver's arrangements make the most of the group's potential for tension, color, and dynamics, and there are plenty of outstanding solos from the musicians on both the modal numbers and the more traditionally melodic pieces.

Genre:

• Jazz