Dizzy's Business
With the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars Big Band
2009
"The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band is a renowned entity with several fine recordings on various labels. Releases by the group are always greeted with a certain anticipation. Listeners who have been looking for that one big band recording this year need look no further—Dizzy's Business is here, and it's larger than life.
Trombonist Slide Hampton has taken over the director's reins and provided several of the excellent arrangements. The repertoire of the band begins with Gillespie's big band charts from the '40s and '50s. On Dizzy's Business Hampton, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, drummer Dennis Mackrel and composer Ernie Wilkins arrange from Gillespie's original charts, all adding a bright shimmer to the already luminescent notes.
The show kicks off with Ernie Wilkin's "Dizzy's Business". The head is serpentine and precise, providing brash support for trumpeter Randy Brecker, who plays in the period vernacular, and alto saxophonist Antonio Hart, wailing from down deep.
The Gillespie favorite "Con Alma" follows, showcasing Hampton's beautifully round trombone tone and James Moody's sleek tenor. "Blue N' Boogie" introduces vocalist Roberta Gambarini (who sings a sweet "Stardust" later) in a scat contest with James Moody. Special guest Roy Hargrove demonstrates his blues chops, as does trombonist Jason Jackson.
Thelonious Monk is well represented with a pair of Dennis Mackrel arrangements. "I Mean You" romps with solos by Mulgrew Miller, trombonist Steve Davis and bassist John Lee. "Off Minor" treats us to bigger-than-life Monk and Gary Smulyan's baritone saxophone, as well as Greg Gisbert's trumpet and Mulgrew Miller's keys. Dizzy's Business is beautifully conceived and executed, and it should appear on several end-of-the-year lists."
C. Michael Bailey- AllAboutJazz
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Directed By – Slide Hampton
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Alto Saxophone, Flute – Antonio Hart, Frank Wess
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Baritone Saxophone – Gary Smulyan
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Bass – John Lee (3)
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Bass Trombone – Douglas Purviance*
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Drums – Dennis Mackrel
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Executive-Producer – Marty Ashby
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Guest, Trumpet – Roy Hargrove
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Guitar – Marty Ashby
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Percussion – Claudio Roditi, Jay Ashby
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Piano – Mulgrew Miller
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Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
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Tenor Saxophone, Flute – James Moody
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Trombone – Jay Ashby, Slide Hampton, Steve Davis (7)
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Trombone [Lead] – Jason Jackson (2)
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Trumpet – Claudio Roditi, Greg Gisbert, Randy Brecker
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Trumpet [Lead] – Frank Greene (2)
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Vocals – James Moody (tracks: 3), Roberta Gambarini (tracks: 3, 7, 9, 10)