Jazz
Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra
Glen Gray - Director, Leader, Sax (Alto), Saxophone
Art Ralston - Bassoon, Oboe, Sax (Alto)
Billy Rauch - Trombone
Bo Ashford - Trumpet
Bobby Jones - Trumpet
Bobby Lee Jones - Trumpet
Casa Loma Orchestra - Main Performer
Dub Shoffner - Trumpet
Frank Zullo - Trumpet
Fritz Hummel - Trombone
Gene Gifford - Arranger, Banjo, Guitar
Grady Watts - Trumpet
Jack Blanchette - Guitar
Joe Hostetter - Trumpet, Vocals
Kenny Sargent - Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Vocals
Mel Jenssen - Director, Viola, Violin
Pat Davis - Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Pee Wee Hunt - Trombone, Vocals
Ray Eberle - Clarinet, Sax (Alto)
Sonny Dunham - Trumpet
Stanley Dennis - Bass, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Bass), Sax (Tenor), Standup Bass
Tony Briglia - Drums
* Alastair Robertson - Producer
* Brian Johnston - Design
* John R.T. Davies - Producer, Remastering
* Larry Clinton - Arranger
* Robert Bamberger - Liner Notes
During a period of time when few jazz-oriented big bands existed outside of Harlem, the Casa Loma Orchestra helped set the stage for the swing era. Gene Gifford's arrangements for the ensemble during 1929-1935 were later criticized for using some staccato phrasing and an excess of riffs, but the music still sounds quite exciting today. Maniac's Ball mostly dates from 1931-1932, with one song from 1933, three from 1934, Larry Clinton's "A Study in Brown" from 1937, and a five-song session from 1936. In addition to a few Clinton arrangements, many of Gifford's best charts are here, including "White Jazz," "Black Jazz," "Blue Jazz," "Maniac's Ball," and "Wild Goose Chase." Of the four Hep releases that on a whole feature most of the high points of the Casa Loma recordings (skipping the more commercial dance band records), Maniac's Ball is the best all-round introduction to the music of the Casa Loma Orchestra.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
