As good as it gets...without the Master
douglasnegley | Pittsburgh, Pa. United States | 09/09/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was present for this recording as well, in the intimate confines of the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild in Pittsburgh, and it was a BLAST. Jon Faddis did a great job of 'carrying on' for the late Master...and just seeing the reed section assembled there that night - all of whom were thoughouly enjoying themselves...Jimmy Heath in particular, who never stopped grinning the whole night -Moody, Heath, Wess, Smulyan, and Hart, along with greats Slide Hampton, Pittsburgher Jay Ashby, and his brother Marty on guitar, Claudio Roditi, Terrell Stafford, and the suprise of the night for myself and many others, the incredible piano playing of Renee Rosnes, who sparkled. Drummer Dennis Makrel did not disappoint, nor did percussionist "Duke" either! Being there was a real trip, I must say, but somehow that magic didn't quite translate onto this CD, in my opinion. Still, this is a swinging, talented band, and Jon Faddis was as good as anyone can be stepping into the over-sized shoes of Diz. For the real deal, Live also, I would suggest Dizzy's "Live at Newport 1957". Although these arrangements are tight and grooving, some are nearly carbon copies of those Diz gems at Newport; like "I Remember Clifford", and "Night In Tunisia"."
Transcontinental
insertclevernamehere | Wisconsin, USA | 11/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow, this is one mad good album. The arranging is outstanding and the personel for the band is just astonishing. Check this out, you won't be disappointed!"
Things To Come Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Star Big Band
Don James | Nampa, Idaho United States | 06/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This group sure hasn`t lost any of the drive or spirit of Dizzy`s bands. All the trumpet men are outstanding and powerful. A couple of them even have chops reminiscent of Dizzy himself. One thing else I do have to say though; there was only one DIZZY GILLESPIE. But take my word, this is a great band with some outstanding trumpet players."