World`s Greatest Jazz Band, The

After two albums apiece for the Project Three and Atlantic labels, the World's Greatest Jazz Band started their own record company where they would record ten LPs during 1972-1977. The first release is a bit unusual in that it emphasizes new material. Bassist Bob Haggart contributed four songs, clarinetist Bob Wilber brought in three, and the group also performs Leonard Feather's little-known "Heavy Hearted Blues" in addition to just two standards ("At Sundown" and "She's Funny That Way"). Although the all-star lineup (trumpeters Yank Lawson and Billy Butterfield, trombonists Vic Dickenson and Eddie Hubble, Bob Wilber on clarinet and soprano, tenorman Bud Freeman, pianist Ralph Sutton, bassist Bob Haggart, and drummer Gus Johnson), few of the new songs are all that memorable.

PERSONNEL:

• Yank Lawson - trumpet
• Billy Butterfield - trombone, flugelhorn
• Bob Wilber - clarinet, soprano sax
• Vic Dickenson, Eddie Hubble - trombone
• Ralph Sutton - piano
• Bob Haggart - bass
• Gus Johnson - drums

Recorded in 1971 at the Hong Kong Bar of the Century Plaza Hotel, England

TRACKS:

• 01. Century Plaza
• 02. Along Way From Home
• 03. At Sundown
• 04. Colonial Tavern
• 05. Out Back
• 06. Frog And Nightgown
• 07. Dreaming Butterfly
• 08. Heavy Hearted Blues
• 09. She's Funny That Way
• 10. Navarre