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Dizzy Gillespie: Concert of the Century - Tribute to Charlie Parker
Dizzy Gillespie
trumpet1917 - 1993
Ray Brown
bass, acoustic1926 - 2002
Milt Jackson
vibraphone1923 - 1999
Hank Jones
piano1918 - 2010
Philly Joe Jones
drums1923 - 1985
James Moody
woodwinds1925 - 2010
What a magnificent collection of musical geniuses. The tribute to
Charlie Parker
saxophone, alto1920 - 1955
Gillespie introduces Jackson, who plays a superb "If I Should Lose You" that is tender and delicate. Moody takes center stage on flute for "Darben the Redd Fox" and the rhythm section comes along for the journey. Hank Jones opens "Time On My Hands," with vibes and bass joining the band leader's trumpet. The ballad is performed by this stellar cast with the sort of nuance that only masters achieve. It backs out the way it came in, with a vibe solo, then piano, and then trumpet. Philly Joe Jones sets up "Get Happy" as Gillespie and Jackson take off at full throttle. The band mates each take a section, and the drummer keeps the engine rocking. "The Shadow of Your Smile" is introduced by Moody's high register saxophone squeaks, with Hank Jones' answering in kind. The tune is then played straight, although with some speed, with Brown heard prominently underneath the tenor and piano. At the halfway point the vibes and drums check in and the pianist takes a solo, his command of the instrument, glorious. Gillespie's dizzying solo follows and Moody takes it out with his tenor.
Next up is "Bass Solo/Manha de Carnival/Work Song," in which Gillespie introduces Brown as "the Boss of the Bass," which the bassist then clearly demonstrates. Brown has the stage to himself and gives a tutorial on the possibilities of his instrument with spellbinding lines. As piano and drums join, the audience applauds loudly. Brown then breaks into "Work Song," bending notes and picking at both ends of the instrument while floating back to "Manha de Carnival." It's one of the great performances on double bass. The closer, "Stardust" is a vehicle for Gillespie, and demonstrates why he was one of the great trumpeters in the history of jazz.
This recording stands with
Oscar Peterson
piano1925 - 2007
Track Listing
Blue 'n' Boogie; If I Should Lose You; Darben the Red Foxx; Time on my Hands; Get Happy; The Shadow of Your Smile; Bass Solo / Manha de Carnaval / Work Song; Stardust.
Personnel
Dizzy Gillespie
trumpetDizzy Gillespie: trumpet; Ray Brown: bass; Milt Jackson: vibes; Hank Jones: piano; Philly Joe Jones: drums; James Moody: tenor saxophone; flute.
Album information
Title: Concert of the Century - Tribute to Charlie Parker | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Justin-Time
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