Record Reviews

STAN GETZ / KENNY CLARKE / FRANCY BOLAND BIG BAND ~ CHANGE OF SCENES VERVE 600753805732 (Barcode: 600753805732) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of a fantastic album recorded by the American saxophonist Stan GetzFind albums by this artist with the international / resident in Europe Big Band, co-led by American drummer / bandleader Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Belgian pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Francy BolandFind albums by this artist. It was originally recorded in Germany in 1971. The album presents six tracks, all composed / arranged by Boland, which are some of his most complex and advanced works. The sound quality is perfect and the music is exceptional, as always. The Big Band includes some of the best European Jazz musicians active at the time, like British saxophonists Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist, Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, German trumpeter Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist, Dutch trumpeter Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist, German trombonist Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and many American expatriates: saxophonists Sahib ShihabFind albums by this artist and Herb GellerFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Benny BaileyFind albums by this artist and Art FarmerFind albums by this artist and many other excellent musicians. Clarke and Boland co-led the Big Band between 1960 and 1972, which was one of the most formidable European Jazz Big Bands with an extensive recording legacy, with several notable releases also on the MPSFind albums on this label label. Boland composed and arranged for the most important American Jazz Big Bands in the 1950s, like those of Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist, Woody HermanFind albums by this artist and Count BasieFind albums by this artist, before returning to Europe and starting his work with legendary German Big Band leader Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist. The music is all within the modern mainstream Jazz idiom, but the sublime arrangements make it absolute timeless and distinctly different from the American Jazz Big Band tradition, with a much more complex orchestral sound and refined European aesthetics. There are plenty of wonderful soli by the orchestra members, as expected, but as usual in the European Big Band environment, the accent is on the entire orchestra sound, with the soloing being mostly the icing on the cake. Every note played here is simply exceptional. Overall, for Big Band / Orchestral Jazz fans this album is an absolute must of course, a true school book example of what Big Band music is all about. Holy Grail! Stan Getz fans should find his soloing here also highly noteworthy.

Updated: 27/08/2025Posted: 27/08/2025

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

PETER HERBOLZHEIMER ~ SUNSHINE AND BOSSA NOVA HGBS 20017 (Barcode: 4050486049877) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1970 - 2006 Released: 2011 This is an expanded reissue / remaster of the live 2LP album by the German (born in Romania) trombonist / arranger / bandleader / composer Peter HerbolzheimerFind albums by this artist and his Big Band called Rhythm Combination & BrassFind albums by this artist, called “My Kind Of SunshineFind albums with this title”, recorded in 1970 and 1971 and originally released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label in 1972. The Big Band included many top European Jazz players and Americans resident in Europe at the time, such as Dusko GoykovichFind albums by this artist, Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist, Palle MikkelborgFind albums by this artist, Art FarmerFind albums by this artist, Herb GellerFind albums by this artist, Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist and many others. The original album presented nine lengthy tracks, mostly composed by Herbolzheimer. This album adds nine additional tracks recorded in 2005 and 2006 by the BuJazzOFind albums by this artist (German Youth Jazz Orchestra, founded and led for many years by Herbolzheimer), presenting their program “40 Years Bossa Nova”. Herbolzheimer’s arrangements are absolutely brilliant and offer a superb amalgam of Jazz, Rock and Latin rhythms, with excellent soloing by the band’s members. It is one of the best examples of the diverse Big Band / Orchestral Jazz European scene. The German tradition of Jazz Big Bands is splendidly continued by the BuJazzO, which produced next generations of local Jazz musicians. Overall, this is a wonderful album of European Big Band Jazz, presenting both a reissue of a superb and very rare album from the 1970s and a showcase of the new generation playing Big Band Jazz in the same tradition.

Updated: 25/08/2025Posted: 25/08/2025

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