Details

Field of Interest

Jazz

Content Type

Music recording

Duration

1 hour 8 mins

Format

Audio

Sub Genre

Traditional Big Band, Cool Jazz, Swing

Label

Verve Records

Performer

Woody Herman, 1913-1987, Nat Pierce, 1925-1992, Bob Hammer, 1930-, Jake Hanna, 1931-2010, Sal Nistico, 1941-1991, Bobby Jones, Bill Perkins, 1924-2003, Gene Allen, Paule Fontaine, Eddie Morgan

UPC (Physical)

00731452990327

Date Recorded

1962-10-15

Release Date

1996-03-19

Review

Purely by the accidental circumstance of having a relatively small slice of music from which to draw, Verve's Woody Herman Jazz Masters volume provides a service by selecting from all five Philips albums that document one of Herman's best bands. This was a zesty, youth-driven outfit, studded with fine musicians like the late trumpeter Bill Chase, tenor player Sal Nistico, pianist/arranger Nat Pierce (who apparently ran the band behind the scenes), trombonist Phil Wilson and drummer Jake Hanna. The repertoire proves that Herman had his ear to the ground by including numbers like a thoroughly energizing, authentic-sounding version of Mingus' "Better Git It In Your Soul." For old time's sake, road father Woody is there with an occasional good-humored vocal on a revivified oldie like "Caldonia." All this unit lacked was the First Herd's extra spark of originality and Zeitgeist-inspired exuberance -- being exactly in the right place at the right time in history -- but it's a close judgment call. In other words, while you wouldn't want this CD as a single-disc introduction to Herman's six-decade career -- a First or Second Herd sampler would be a better choice -- there's a lot of exciting music to be heard here. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide

Subject

Jazz, Music & Performing Arts, Traditional Big Band, Cool Jazz, Swing, Big Band Tradicional, Cool Jazz, Swing

Keywords and Translated Subjects

Big Band Tradicional, Cool Jazz, Swing