Terry Gibbs

Featuring: Conte Candoli, Al Porcino, Stu Williamson (tp), Frank Rosolino (tb), Bob Enevoldsen (v-tb), Joe Maini, Med Flory, Bill Holman, Bill Perkins, Jack Schwartz (reeds), Terry Gibbs (vb, p), Pete Jolly, Lou Levy (p), Max Bennett (b), Mel Lewis (d)

All the vitality and sparkle of the Terry Gibbs’ Dream Band is infectiously conjured up here. Spirit is the key word: it is certain that the essence of jazz captured in Gibbs’ albums—Launching a New Band, and Swing Is Here!—has everything to do with the jazz nature of the musicians involved, and their unwavering loyalty to the idea of this big band, with Gibbs, the focal point, bringing all his musical effervescence to bear on these exciting performances. The penchant for Woody Herman’s groove is apparent, and traces of Basie crop up from time to time in the clean, precise and powerful treatment of deftly written charts played with the emphasis on heat and swing. And they remain equally rewarding on all levels.


Tracklisting:

01. Opus #1
02. Moten Swing
03. I’m Getting’ Sentimental Over You
04. Let’s Dance
05. Stardust
06. Cotton Tail
07. Begin the Beguine
08. Jumpin’ at the Woodside
09. Prelude to a Kiss
10. Don’t Be that Way
11. Midnight Sun
12. Flying Home
13. The Song Is You
14. It Might as Well Be Swing
15. Dancing in the Dark
16. Moonglow
17. Bright Eyes
18. The Fat Man
19. My Reverie
20. Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
21. Evil Eyes
22. Back Bay Schuffle


All tracks recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, February 17 & 18, 1959 (#1-12) and February 23 & 24, 1960 (#13-22).