The band profiled in this bio should not be confused with either a progressive rock combo that was active in South Africa in the late '60s and early '70s or a New York-based soul-jazz outfit (which was formed by saxophonist Dana Vlceck in the '90s and recorded a CD titled Get Another Plan for Streetwave in 1996). Founded by trumpeter/flugelhornist/arranger John Vanore, this Abstract Truth is a Philadelphia-based big band with a post-bop orientation and a strong Oliver Nelson influence. In fact, Vanore's outfit gets its name from two of the great albums that Nelson recorded for Impulse! in the early '60s: Blues and the Abstract Truth and its sequel More Blues & the Abstract Truth. (Those albums also inspired Vlceck's band and the South African prog rock combo to use that name.) Although Nelson's '60s work has had a major impact on Vanore's writing and arranging, Abstract Truth isn't an exact replica of Nelson's bands -- and the outfit has other influences as well (including Gil Evans and Thad Jones). Unlike other big bands that were formed in the '80s and '90s, Vanore's band has never had a Buddy Rich obsession; Abstract Truth is firmly rooted in '60s post-bop. And unlike the big bands that record a lot of well-known Tin Pan Alley standards, Abstract Truth has emphasized Vanore's own compositions. Vanore founded Abstract Truth in 1989, and their first album, Blue Route, came out in 1990. The band's second album, Curiosity, was recorded for the Acoustical Concepts label in 1991. Abstract Truth's other members have included Rocco Bene (trumpet, flugelhorn), Joe Fallon (trumpet, flugelhorn), Brian Grodner (trumpet, flugelhorn), Kevin Rodgers (trumpet, flugelhorn), Mike Galan (trombone), Jose Vidal (bass trombone), Michael Mee (alto sax, soprano sax, flute), Mike Falcone (tenor sax, flute), George Barnett (French horn), Ron Thomas (piano), Joe Nero (drums), and Craig Thomas (an acoustic bassist who is best-known for his association with Philly guitar heavyweight Jimmy Bruno). ~ Alex Henderson