Big-band jazz gains a dimension when it is energized by a brilliant central virtuoso like Terry Gibbs, and he self-evidently sparked these live sessions, wailing in front of a fine band with the kind of men and arrangements that suited him perfectly. What registers so vividly is that, although this splendid band had only worked together sporadically, it had a pervasive group feeling and a cohesion and excitement that were communicated with vitality and fervor by the superb ensemble playing and consistently high quality blowing by Bill Perkins, Joe Maini, Conte Candoli, Richie Kamuca, Frank Rosolino, and Pat Moran.
What also made their sound so infectious was their swinging arrangements, deftly wrought by top writers like Bill Holman, Al Cohn, Manny Albam, and Shorty Rogers. This is a true picture of how this band really sounded, thanks to the work of the great sound engineer, Wally Heider, which so vibrantly brought it to life in its transfer from The Summit night club on Sunset Blvd., where it was recorded in excellent stereo sound. It is indisputably one of the best big band efforts in Terry Gibbs illustrious history as a top jazzman and band leader.
Tracklist
Total time: 79:28 min.
01. Day In, Day Out (Bloom-Mercer) 3:04
Arr. Bill Holman. Solos: Terry Gibbs, Conte Candoli, Bill Perkins
02. Summit Blues (Gibbs-Rogers) 3:42
Arr. Shorty Rogers. Solo: Terry Gibbs
03. Limerick Waltz (Bill Holman) 2:43
Arr. Bill Holman. Solos: Terry Gibbs, Frank Rosolino, Joe Maini
04. You Don't Know What Love Is (Raye-DePaul) 5:17
Arr. Al Cohn. Solo: Gibbs
05. Sweet Georgia Brown (Bernie-Pinkard) 2:49
Arr. Manny Albam. Solo: Gibbs
06. Nose Cone (Al Cohn) 2:49
Arr. Al Cohn. Solos: Gibbs, Maini
07. Too Close for Comfort (Bock-Holofcener) 3:59
Arr. Bill Holman. Solos: Richie Kamuca, Gibbs, Buddy Clark
08. Main Stem (Duke Ellington) 4:31
Arr. Manny Albam. Solos: Pat Moran, Gibbs, Perkins, Candoli
09. Ja-Da (Carleton) 4:33
Arr. Bill Holman. Solos: Gibbs, Candoli
10. T and D (Gibbs-Rogers) 5:39
Arr. Shorty Rogers. Solo: Gibbs
11. Tico Tico (Zequinha de Abreu) 3:02
Arr. Bill Holman. Solos: Gibbs, Candoli, Rosolino
12. Big Bad Bob (Terry Gibbs) 3:41
Arr. Manny Albam. Solos: Candoli, Gibbs, Maini
13. The Big Cat (Al Cohn) 4:26
Arr. Al Cohn. Solos: Gibbs, Maini, Candoli
14. Soft Eyes (Bill Holman) 5:12
Arr. Bill Holman. Solos: Candoli, Perkins, Gibbs
15. Billie's Bounce (Charlie Parker) 3:51
Arr. Bill Holman. Solos: Moran, Kennedy, Candoli, Perkins, Gibbs, Clark
16. Pretty Blue Eyes (Terry Gibbs) 2:48
Arr. Bill Holman. Solos: Gibbs, Rosolino
17. I'll Take Romance (Oakland-Hammerstein) 3:34
Arr. Bill Holman. Solos: Gibbs, Candoli, Kamuca
18. Do You Wanna Jump, Children? (Donahue-Van Heusen-Bryant-Selsman) 2:53
Arr. Al Cohn. Solos: The Band (vocals), Gibbs, Maini
19. Nature Boy (Eden Ahbez) 4:16
Arr. Manny Albam. Solo: Gibbs
20. Jump the Blues Away (Ed Lewis) 3:36
Arr. Al Cohn. Solos: Gibbs, Kamuca
21. Sleep (Earl Lebig) 2:52
Arr. Manny Albam. Solos: Moran, Gibbs, Candoli
Album details
Sources:
Tracks # 1-10, from the album "The Exciting Terry Gibbs Big Band!!!!!" (Verve V6-2151)
Tracks # 11-21, from the album "Explosion!" (Mercury SR60704)
Personnel in all tracks:
Al Porcino, Conte Candoli, Ray Triscari, Stu Williamson, Frank Huggins (trumpets), Frank Rosolino, Vern Friley, Bob Edmondson (trombones), Joe Maini, Charlie Kennedy (alto saxes), Bill Perkins, Richie Kamuca (tenor saxes), Terry Gibbs (vibes), Pat Moran (piano), Buddy Clark (bass), Mel Lewis (drums).
Arrangements by Bill Holman, Shorty Rogers, Al Cohn & Manny Albam
All sessions recorded live at The Summit, Hollywood, January & April 1961
Recording engineer: Wally Heider
Original recordings produced by Terry Gibbs & Dick Tracy
This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol
Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered
Blue Moon Producciones Discograficas S.L.
