Jazz / Mainstream Jazz
Big Band
Bop
Afro-Cuban Jazz
Recorded in concert at the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport R.I., July 6, 1957
Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet, vocals); Ernie Henry, Jimmy Powell (alto saxophones); Benny Golson, Billy Mitchell (tenor saxophones); Pee Wee Moore (baritone saxophone); Lee Morgan, Talib Dawud, Emmett Perry, Carl Warwick (trumpets); Melba Liston, Al Grey, Ray Connors (trombones); Wynton Kelly, Mary Lou Williams (piano); Paul West (bass); Charlie Persip (drums)
This CD features Dizzy Gillespie's second great big band at the peak of its powers. On the rapid "Dizzy's Blues" and a truly blazing "Cool Breeze," the orchestra really roars; the latter performance features extraordinary solos by Gillespie, trombonist Al Grey, and tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell. In addition to fine renditions of "Manteca" and Benny Golson's then-recent composition "I Remember Clifford," the humorous "Doodlin'" is given a definitive treatment, there is a fresh version of "A Night in Tunisia," and pianist Mary Lou Williams sits in for a lengthy medley of selections from her "Zodiac Suite." This brilliant CD captures one of the high points of Dizzy Gillespie's remarkable career and is highly recommended.
---Scott Yanow, allmusic |
