John Tapscott

Track 8 - Jim McNeely's "Off the Cuff" - an outstanding baritone improv

oh, shi+ (in a good way, I think)

Gee, thanks for the reminder. 30 years ago. Man! The Brooks was the first Mosaic I ever purchased.

IMHO the absolute peak of aggressive (but still under tight control) big band jazz. This particular Rich band had a special name: Killer Force. In fact, the musicians would huddle just before hitting the stage, raise arms in the air and yell in unison - "KILL." They did, though of course, not to everyone's taste. I liked it myself, a lot.

These two should fill the bill nicely for almost over-the-top aggressive big band jazz. My ears bleed after listening to these. Whew! (I see jhoots mentioned Tolliver above).

I think this will be a fine set. I have several Beehive recordings and enjoy them all. I think Curtis Fuller's "Fire and Filigree" is an under-rated gem. But a big hit, financially. I didn't realize it was going to be a 12 CD set; rather I thought it was going to be 2 6 CD sets.

For some reason, this came to mind as I watched and listened. Yes, rather more hopeful than I had expected. Things were looking up for everyone, it seemed, except for Betty of course.

To answer the question posed by DB the answer turned out to be "Not really." Chris Connor made some nice records with the Kenton Band ("All About Ronnie" a.o.), but after 6 months she decided to go out as a single and by Sept. '53 Christy joined the band again for the European tour.

Me too. I think if I had to choose one out of the whole lot, it would be this one. Dizzy at Newport and the Buddy Rich are great too, but I already have them on CD (along with several others).

Yes, there's at least half a dozen there I'd like to obtain. Strictly speaking Mel Lewis and Friends is not a big band date, quintet mostly as I recall, along with a piano trio track (Hank Jones). Nice record. Freddie Hubbard, Gregory Herbert, Michael Brecker (IIRC), Hank, Ron Carter and Mel.

"Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" from Bill Evans "California Here I Come" - Philly Joe Jones on drums who is a major reason I enjoy this track and CD so much.

Amazon.ca - today's price in Canadian dollars $34.28 + 6.49 shipping from Great Britain . Still a bit pricey but a definite buy at some point. Will keep my eye on it.

Because every drummer is not Buddy Rich who apparently had every chart (even the toughest) nailed down after hearing it played through once or twice at most.

I've heard it and I liked it very much - one of my favorites of 2014. Some fine writing and terrific playing. If you liked the excerpts I'm pretty sure you'll like the whole thing.

Enjoy! I did! It was the best concert I have been to in ages! Truesdell is an excellent and personable and enthusiastic leader who obviously loves Gil's music. Along the way he gave little insights into Gil's arranging craft which were not over the head of the laypeople in attendance (thankfully it was a full house, lots of grey for sure, but still full). The music was taken basically from the Thornhill years up to and including the Individualism album. ( I felt really good when Ryan said that The Individualism of Gil Evans was his favorite Evans recording, because it's mine too!) The only later chart was Gil's mid-seventies updating of The Meaning the Blues which on this night featured Scott Robinson on tenor. And the band was superb, so in tune, so well-balanced. A lot of the names were new to me, but some there were some terrific solo performances - Robinson and Tom Christensen on tenor, Mike Rodriquez and Mat Jodrell on trumpet, (great lead by Augie Haas), Nick Finzer and Ryan Keberle on trombone and monster bass trombonist George Flynn. The rhythm section - Frank Kimbrough, Jay Anderson, and Dennis Mackrel was a model of taste and swing. I bought the band's newest CD released just two weeks ago Lines of Color and Ryan signed with "Gil's Music Lives". Indeed it does. An evening to remember, for sure.

Tonight in Toronto: Ryan Truesdell and the Gil Evans Project

Well, this one's not bad. Seriously, I've checked out others, but this one's the best. No need to go far beyond org. quite frankly.

The "Kenton Showcase" album, the one with Russo charts on one side and Holman charts on the other. A great album, IMO. Most of, if not all of "Portraits on Standards" as well.