Swiss Radio Days Jazz Series Vol. 51

Description

Since the late 1940's the big band was the heart for John Birks Dizzy Gillespie and before leading his own group of marvelously maniacal virtuosos from 1945 onward, he had already established himself as one of the best swing machines of the day in the previous decade. Dizzy's big band immediately
became one of the most en vogue orchestras of the day, beyond that it would become, from 1947-
1948, the crucible of Afro-Cuban Jazz that the trumpeter, transmitting passion and fre, built a
repertoire of memorable compositions.

The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band is thus here for us - to refresh our memories and remind us that
this music hasn't aged a bit, paying homage to Dizzy's incomparable aura. This 2007 ensemble,
energized by bassist and musical director John Lee (a former partner and lynchpin behind the band), stopped at Geneva's Victoria-Hall for a concert that you can now experience - or relive for the fist
time - on record. The lineup includes former partners of the trumpeter, such as trombonist and
conductor Slide Hampton, Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi, and of course the legendary saxophonist James Moody, who joined Dizzy's big band on alto in... 1946! However, the majority of the sections
are overfloing with young talents who were already at the top of the jazz scene at the time of this
recording. You will be carried away by each solo from this outstanding team of committed Gillespians, as they present an uplifting program of exhilarating Swing; served up with passion, seriousness AND humor - three words that pretty much sum up the man they also called... The Champ!