If you were not aware, immerse yourself in the dynamic fusion of big band jazz and rock with What Is?, a captivating collection of original arrangements by Russ Anixter’s Hippie Big Band.

Drawing inspiration from the improvisational spirit of jazz and the electrifying energy of rock, this album redefines the boundaries of genre.

Smaller than a traditional big band but more powerful than a combo, the Hippie Big Band delivers an eclectic repertoire as they are a jazz band that plays rock music.

1. What Is Hip (4:58) (Emilio Castillo and Stephen Kupka)
2. Dixie Chicken (5:22) (Lowell George and Martin Kibbee)
3. Free Man in Paris>Freedom Jazz Dance (4:50) (Joni Mitchell>Eddie Harris)
4. She Said, She Said (7:35) (John Lennon and Paul McCartney)
5. Heaven on Their Minds (5:29) (Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber)
6. Saint Stephen>Turn on Your Love Light (7:04) (Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Robert Hunter>Joseph Scott and Don Robey)
7. Uncle John’s Band (6:54) (Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter)
8. Hide Away (5:39) (Freddie King and Sonny Thompson)
9. Into the Mystic (5:21) (Van Morrison)
10. Whipping Post (7:17) (Gregg Allman)
11. Green Hornet (3:59) (Billy May)

With their intention to break barriers and present their big band to a wide-ranging audience from music festivals, jazz clubs, to universities, this most wondrously sculpted new recording opens on the scintillating, freely dynamic Tower of Power cut What Is Hip and the languishing Orleanesque Little Feat cut Dixie Chicken, before a stalwart Free Man in Paris>Freedom Jazz Dance (the former the mid-70s hit for Joni Mitchell is upon us, the latter by Eddie Harris, which would itself soon become a jazz standard after featuring on Miles Davis’ album Miles Smiles) is brought forth, and then we are treated to a simply breathtaking rendition of the Beatles’ She Said, She Said and a 70’s cinematic vibe is revealed within Heaven on Their Minds (from Jesus Christ Superstar).

Along next is the laid back, low slung Grateful Dead Saint Stephen>Turn on Your Love Light (the latter an upbeat rhythm from Bobby Bland) and another rendition of a Grateful Dead track, this time the all-embracing Uncle John’s Band and they are in turn backed by a blues guitar cut, the classic Freddie King track Hide Away, we next witness Van Morrison’s aching yearn that resides within Into the Mystic, the album rounding out on the full on collective sound of the propulsive Allman Brothers Band’s Whipping Post, coming to a close on the original TV soundtrack cut from Billy May, the percussion-led, magically melodious Green Hornet.

“Thanks for checking out What Is? I am so grateful for the love and support of this band, and I can thank them enough. Thanks to everyone that contributed to making What is? a reality. Suzan Saar, Allison Mackey and Erica von Kleist for the artwork. Charlie Rosen for his ears. Special thanks to Dan Levine and John Kilgore for their guidance through this. Extra special thanks to Steven Bernstein and Oz Noy for being our guest soloists.” - Russ Anixter

The Hippie Big Band:
Russ Anixter: Arrangements & Orchestrations
Dan Levine: Trombone
Matt Hong: Alto Sax, Flute, Bass Clarinet
Jack Schatz: Bass Trombone
Stan Harrison: Tenor Sax & Soprano Saxes, Clarinet
Bill Hayes: Vibes, Xylo, Congas
Frank Vacin: Baritone & Soprano Saxes, Alto Flute
Michael Aarons: Guitar
Matt Owens: Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Steve Count: Bass
Audrey Flores: French Horn
Scott Neumann: Drums

Official Purchase Link

www.russanixter.com