Bernie Dresel: The Pugilist

Jack Bowers, All About Jazz's large ensemble authority, previously considered this entire recording, The Pugilist, remarking that ..."if swing is your thing, you've come to the right place, as that is what Dresel and his elite group of sun-baked sidemen (and two women) do best and most often." One of the elements that ensures "swing" is the attentive and informed arrangement of these often sprawling pieces. Dr. Jack Cooper is known for his insightful and creative arrangements of percussion-driven music. Michael Waldrop's Origin Suite (Origin Records, 2018) and Cooper's own Mists—Charles Ives For Jazz Orchestra (Planet Arts Records, 2014) and Dig Band Reflections of Cole Porter (Summit Records, 2003) are examples. He contributes an arrangement for "Lulu's Back In Town" here for The BBB. Written by Al Dubin (words) and Harry Warren (music) in 1935 and included in Lloyd Bacon's film Broadway Gondolier (Warner Bros., 1935), the song was popularized in a recording by Fats Waller for Victor Records.

What Cooper and Dresel do is supercharge the warhorse, directing Dresel's brass and beat in a Latin direction, opening the piece up for tight solos by trumpeter Carl Saunders and tenor saxophonist Rob Lockart. The ensemble playing is brash and swinging. Robust staccato figures populate Cooper's vision and at the same time provide Dresel plenty of drumming real estate to drive through.

Jack Cooper continues to loom large in big band jazz.