For those unaware, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra are a hard-charging, powerful ensemble, immersed in the history of their craft, and passionately swinging the music forward.

That’s DIVA – an ensemble of fifteen versatile, multi‑generational musicians who expertly balance enthusiastic energy with sophisticated subtlety, virtuosity, and imagination.

Headed by swinging drummer Sherrie Maride, DIVA exudes the excitement and force found in the tradition of historic big bands, with an eye towards originality and creativity. With New York as their home base, DIVA performs all over the world, playing original contemporary and mainstream big band jazz composed and arranged to fit their distinct ensemble sound and highlight their soloists’ unique personalities and styles.

Their 30th anniversary is celebrated on their latest endeavor, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra 30, which features 10 lives tracks recorded at Dizzy’s Club in New York City.

1. Something’s Coming
2. In a Mellow Tone
3. Here’s to Life
4. I’m Gonna Go Fishin’
5. Every Day I Have the Blues
6. I Feel Pretty
7. Three Sisters and a Cousin
8. A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald
9. Inka Dinka Doo
10. Airmail Special

The album opens on the euphonious Something’s Coming and the aptly-named In a Mellow Mood and then continues onward with the sumptuous, gentle finger-snapper Here’s to Life, the I’m Gonna Go Fishin’ (which is escorted into being by Leslie Havens’ bass trombone), and then we get Sherrie Maride’s introduced swinger Every Day I Have the Blues (with vocals from Sue Giles).

Along next is the free-wheeling jazz-blues of I Feel Pretty and the faster paced, foot-tapping beauty Three Sisters and a Cousin (which features some magical saxophone work), and they are in turn backed by a vibrantly impassioned A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald (The Object of my Affection, How High the Moon, Stompin’ at the Savoy/Undecided, A Tisket, A Taskket and Oh, Lady Be Good), the recording rounding out on the playful Inka Dinka Doo, closing on the fervently-charged Airmail Special.

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