GENE HARRIS

GENE HARRIS ALL STAR BIG BAND

Tribute To Count Basie

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.

Artist

Ray Brown

Bass, Composer, Guest Artist

James Leary

Bass

Jeff Hamilton

Drums, Guest Artist

Plas Johnson

Guest Artist, Sax (Tenor)

Bill Watrous

Guest Artist, Trombone

Conte Candoli

Guest Artist, Trumpet

Jon Faddis

Guest Artist, Trumpet

Snooky Young

Guest Artist, Trumpet

Bill Green

Sax (Alto)

Marshall Royal

Sax (Alto)

Jack Nimitz

Sax (Baritone)

Bob Cooper

Sax (Tenor)

Garnett Brown

Trombone

Thurman Green

Trombone

Charles Loper

Trombone

William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr.

Trombone

Bill Waltrous

Trombone

Bobby Bryant

Trumpet

Frank Szabo

Trumpet