Chuck Sagle was a widely experienced arranger and conductor when, in 1962, he joined the a&r department at Reprise Records in Los Angeles. Among the first projects he produced for the label was his own album Splendor in the Brass. His tasteful arrangements skillfully juxtaposed various small instrumental combinations with each other and with the full orchestra, with deftly voiced French horns and saxophones revealing his fertile imagination and versatility. Garnishing these well-conceived performances are solos by such luminaries as Lou Levy, Shorty Sherock, Cappy Lewis, Buddy Collette, Bill Perkins and Emil Richards.
The second album on this set, Jazz Pops, also a Reprise release, is by another big band, this time under the direction of arranger, composer, trumpeter and bandleader Neal Hefti. While his arrangements here are of a different order to his early work for Woody Herman and Count Basie, they still bear the mark of his considerable talent. His writing is economical and unpretentious. The soloists, moreover, include Joe Maini, Jack Sheldon, Ted Nash, Larry Bunker and Conte Candoli.
In all, two highly satisfying big band albums of similar approach and spectacular sound, solidly heavily conceived and arrangedand brilliantly performed.
Tracklist
Total time: 65:25 min.
01. When Sunny Gets Blue (Segal-Fisher) 3:56
02. A Taste of Honey (Scott-Marlow) 3:20
03. Bernie's Tune (Bernie Miller) 2:43
04. Man with a Horn (DeLange-Lake-Jenny) 3:15
05. Playboys Theme (Coleman-Leigh) 4:03
06. On Green Dolphin Street
(Kaper-Washington) 2:52
07. Love for Sale (Cole Porter) 2:48
08. A Night in Tunisia (Gillespie-Paparelli) 1:52
09. Easy Living (Rainger-Robin) 2:49
10. The Moon Was Yellow (Leslie-Ahlert) 2:01
11. Brassanctified (Chuck Sagle) 2:53
12. Coral Reef (Neal Hefti) 2:54
13. Take Five (Paul Desmond) 2:08
14. Exodus (Ernest Gold) 2:47
15. Like Young (Previn-Webster) 3:22
16. One & Two O'Clock Jump
(James-Basie-Goodman) 4:53
17. Cute (Neal Hefti) 3:12
18. Moanin' (Bobby Timmons) 4:32
19. Petite Fleur (Sidney Bechet) 3:07
20. Lil Darlin' (Neal Hefti) 5:06
Album details
Sources:
Tracks #1-11, from the Reprise album "Splendor in the Brass" (RS 6047)
Tracks #12-20, from the Reprise album "Jazz Pops" (RS 6039)
CHUCK SAGLE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
Collective personnel includes: Conrad Gozzo, Mickey Mangano, Shorty Sherock, John Best, Ray Triscari, Bud Brisbois (tp); Cappy Lewis (tp, flh); Dave Wells (b-tp); Milt Bernhart, Tommy Pederson, William Schaefer, Lew McCreary, Lloyd Ulyate, Lew McCreary, Tommy Shepard, Dave Wells (tb); Ed Kusby, George Roberts (b-tb); Sinclair Lott, James Decker, George Hyde, Gale Robinson, Vince DeRosa, John Cave, Alan Robinson (frh); Ted Nash, Harry Klee, Bill Calkins (as, fl); Jules Jacob (as, cl); Buddy Collette (ts, fl); Wilbur Schwartz, Gene Cipriano, Bill Perkins (ts); Chuck Gentry, Dick Nash (bs); Sam Rice, Red Callender (tuba); Louis Singer, Emil Richards (vib); Ray Sherman, Lou Levy (p); Al Hendrickson, Bob Gibbons (g); Joe Mondragon (b); Alvin Stoller, Milt Holland, Earl Palmer (d); Norman Jeffries, Larry Bunker (bongos); plus string section.
NEAL HEFTI AND HIS ORCHESTRA
Collective personnel includes: Al Porcino, Conte Candoli, Gerald Wilson, Don Fagerquist, Jack Sheldon, Pete Candoli (tp); Dick Nash, Tommy Pederson, Lew McCreary, Tommy Shepard, Dick Noel (tb); George Roberts, Kenny Shroyer (b-tb); Vince DeRosa, Bill Hinshaw, Dick Perissi, Gale Robinson, Alan Robinson (frh); Joe Maini, Charlie Kennedy (as); Med Flory, Lou Ciotti (ts); Bill Hood (bs); Harry Klee, Plas Johnson, Bill Calkins, Justin Gordon, Buddy Collette, Ted Nash, Willie Schwartz (fl); Emil Richards (vib); Larry Bunker (vib, bongos); Bob Gibbons (g); Al McKibbon (b); Shelly Manne, Earl Palmer (d); Milt Holland (conga); Francisco Aquabella (bongos).
Both sessions recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, in 1962
Original recordings produced by Chuck Sagle
Cover designs by Max Yavno & Paula Powers
This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol
Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered
