Search - Illinois Jacquet :: Jacquet's Got It

Solid!

ivomorre | JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, CADIZ Spain | 09/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Illinois made this record at the age of 65 with his newly-formed big band. (He still has it, now nearing 80.) And he still plays great. Good arrangements, good blowing from everybody.The band is a blend of new talents and well-seasoned veterans - Milt Hinton, John Faddis, Richard Wyands and - would you believe it? - Eddie Barefield, who coached 8 year old tap-dancing Illinois to win a talent contest sponsered by Cab Calloway (in whose band Illinois was to play later) and Marshall Royal, who hired 19 year old Jacquet for the Hampton band! My favorite number is Jacquet's own composition You Left Me All Alone in which he is the only soloist and plays in a romantic ballad style with a glorious mellow sound. I have two earlier versions of this piece but this is my preferred one. He really soars.
An astounding effect is when in Blues From Louisiana Jacquet twice hits his keys without blowing, plop plop, with an extreme rhythmic precision.
If I were a real big band aficionado I probably would give this record 5 stars, but I happen to prefer smaller groups, which give greater freedom to the musicians and for my taste produce more exciting music."

SMOOTH SAILIN' ALL THE WAY

chickenbologna | Glendale, CA United States | 06/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A classic swingin' album recorded in 1987. For starters you have Marshall Royal, Eddie Barefield, Milt Hinton, Duffy Jackson and Jon Faddis included in this full big band date. The arrangers are Eddie Barefield, Phil Wilson, Wild Bill Davis, Carol Scherick, and Jacquet himself. Illinois sounds as exciting as ever, and 2 of these arrangements are heard in the documentary video called "Texas Tenor". (another must for any Jacquet fan!)"