GENE HARRIS

GENE HARRIS

Captain Bill

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

A big-band date that slightly predated pianist Gene Harris' association with the Philip Morris Superband, this CD is ostensibly a tribute to the recently deceased Count Basie, but surprisingly, only two of the eight songs ("Swingin' the Blues" and "Blue and Sentimental") were played by Basie, although one original ("Captain Bill") was written in homage of the bandleader. Harris' 16-piece orchestra does bring back the spirit of Basie's band in spots, with a lightly but steadily swinging rhythm section and such soloists as trumpeters Conte Candoli and Jon Faddis and tenors Plas Johnson and Bob Cooper. But in reality, Harris dominates the solo spotlight, and the music (which includes a memorable version of "When Did You Leave Heaven") is a bit predictable.

Garnett Brown

Trombone

Ray Brown

Bass, Composer, Guest Artist

Bobby Bryant

Trumpet

Conte Candoli

Guest Artist, Trumpet

Bob Cooper

Sax (Tenor)

Herb Ellis

Composer, Guest Artist, Guitar

Jon Faddis

Guest Artist, Trumpet

Bill Green

Sax (Alto)

Thurman Green

Trombone

Jeff Hamilton

Drums, Guest Artist

Plas Johnson

Guest Artist, Sax (Tenor)

James Leary

Bass

Charles Loper

Trombone

Jack Nimitz

Sax (Baritone)

William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr.

Trombone

Marshall Royal

Sax (Alto)

Frank Szabo

Trumpet

Bill Waltrous

Trombone

Bill Watrous

Guest Artist, Trombone

Snooky Young

Guest Artist, Trumpet