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Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band: Dizzy's Business
Trombonist Slide Hampton has taken over the director's reins and provided several of the excellent arrangements. The repertoire of the band begins with Gillespie's big band charts from the '40s and '50s. On Dizzy's Business Hampton, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, drummer Dennis Mackrel and composer Ernie Wilkins arrange from Gillespie's original charts, all adding a bright shimmer to the already luminescent notes.
The show kicks off with Ernie Wilkin's "Dizzy's Business. The head is serpentine and precise, providing brash support for trumpeter Randy Brecker, who plays in the period vernacular, and alto saxophonist Antonio Hart, wailing from down deep. The Gillespie favorite "Con Alma follows, showcasing Hampton's beautifully round trombone tone and James Moody's sleek tenor. "Blue N' Boogie introduces vocalist Roberta Gambarini (who sings a sweet "Stardust later) in a scat contest with James Moody. Special guest Roy Hargrove demonstrates his blues chops, as does trombonist Jason Jackson.
Thelonious Monk is well represented with a pair of Dennis Mackrel arrangements. "I Mean You romps with solos by Mulgrew Miller, trombonist Steve Davis and bassist John Lee. "Off Minor treats us to bigger-than-life Monk and Gary Smulyan's baritone saxophone, as well as Greg Gisbert's trumpet and Mulgrew Miller's keys. Dizzy's Business is beautifully conceived and executed, and it should appear on several end-of-the-year lists.
Track Listing
Dizzy's Business; Con Alma; Blue 'N' Boogie; I Mean You; Without You—No Me (To Dizzy); Hot House; Stardust; Tour de Force; Moody's Groove; Morning of the Carnival; Off Minor.
Personnel
Dizzy Gillespie
trumpetJames Moody: tenor saxophone, flute, vocals; Jimmy Heath: tenor saxophone; Frank Wess and Antonio Hart: alto saxophone, flute; Gary Smulyan: baritone saxophone; Frank Greene: lead trumpet; Roy Hargrove, Greg Gisbert and Randy Brecker: trumpet; Claudio Roditi: trumpet and percussion; Jason Jackson: lead trombone; Steve Davis: trombone; Jay Ashby: trombone, percussion; Douglas Purviance: bass trombone; Mulgrew Miller: piano; Marty Ashby: guitars; John Lee: bass/executive director; Dennis Mackrel: drums; Roberta Gambarini: vocals.
Album information
Title: Dizzy's Business | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: MCG Jazz
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