While I was stationed in SHAPE, Belgium while a member of the U.S. Army, I had the great honor and pleasure to participate in a wonderful recording project entitled A Taste Of NATO Part II. This album was recorded with their big band, the NATO Jazz Orchestra. I played trombone on most of the tracks, and arranged four of the pieces (Tancuj Tancuj, Jos I Danas Zamirise Tresnja, Szazados ur sej-haj, and Calusul) as well as doing some helpful editing on a fifth (The Maple Leaf Forever).
The SHAPE International Band’s website is:
Feel free to check them out, and if you happen to be in Belgium (or some other part of Europe which coincides with one of their tours) go check out one of their performances. You can also contact them through their website if you want copies of this or other CD albums which they have produced. The graphics on the album are top-notch (thanks to Gary Wilder) and you’ll have to get the CD if you want the highest-quality audio files, unlike the condensed MP3s that I have below.
01 The Maple Leaf Forever
Canada – by Alexander Muir; arranged by Martin Labbe; edited by Andrew Meronek; Kerry Moffit, trumpet; Martin Labbe, piano.
02 My Country Bulgaria
Bulgaria – Traditional arranged by Gerardo Ortiz; Al Wittig, Alto Sax; Steve Coonley, trombone.
03 Mack, The Knife
Germany – by Kurt Weill; arranged by Al Wittig; Gavin Rueb, vocalist.
04 Dewdrops On Leaves
Luxembourg – Traditional arranged by Steve Coonley; John Link, piano; Steve Coonley, trombone.
05 Tancuj Tancuj
Slovakia – Traditional arranged by Andrew Meronek; Brandon Boron, guitar; Tyler Shultz, alto/soprano sax; Olivier Drean, trumpet; Andrew Meronek, trombone; Kenny Hall, trumpet.
06 Jarnana
Albania – Traditional arranged by Josh Distefano; Josh Distefano, piano.
07 Jos I Danas Zamirise Tresnja
Croatia – by Tose Proeski; arranged by Andrew Meronek; Gavin Rueb, vocalist; Josh Distefano, fender rhodes; Martin Labbe, piano.
08 Szazados ur sej-haj
Hungary – Traditional arranged Andrew Meronek; Kerry Moffit, trumpet.
09 Didysis
Lithuania – by S. Sventos; arranged by Ilio Volante; Bill Smith, trombone; Kollister Williams II, alto sax.
10 Uma Casa Portuguesa
Portugal – by Artur Fonseca; arranged by Al Wittig; Mary Beth McFann, vocalist.
11 Suzanne
Netherlands – by Vof de Kunst; arranged by Steve Coonley; Jon Oxford, guitar; Chris Manley, tenor sax.
12 Amparita Roca
Spain – by Jaime Teixidor; arr. Steve Coonley; Chris Manley, tenor sax; Dan O’Riley, piano.
13 Uzun Ince Bir Yoldayim
Turkey – by Asik Veysel; arranged by Kerry Moffit; Gavin Rueb, vocalist; Tyler Shultz, soprano sax.
14 Calusul
Romania – Traditional arranged by Andrew Meronek; Tyler Shultz, soprano sax.
15 A Sprengisandi
Iceland – by Sigvaldi Kaldalons, arr. Steve Coonley; Tyler Shultz, alto sax; Kerry Moffit, trumpet.
Andrew Meronek 