Search - Pete Rugolo :: Introducing / Adventures in Rhythm

Big Band Sounds with a Sense of Humour

uncle freddy (ed46bigbandfreddy@ear | Cleveland, Ohio | 04/28/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Pete helped give the early Kenton band a unique sound, and this double-lp reissue features great sidemen in a swingin' explosion of big band tonal colors. Mainly uptempo with some Latin touches here or there, the joy of seeing these classic mid 50's recordings on CD is only slightly diminished by one or two tracks suffering from age related wear or poor storage. Very worth the wait-I hope the boys at CBS/Sony-Legacy will get off their duffs and explore the Vaults for more of the 50's 60s's big-band masters they own!"

Imagination, elegance and superb craftmanship

Jean-Philippe Epitaux | CH 1018 Lausanne Switzerland | 07/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The role Pete Rugolo played in creating new concepts of jazz orchestrations is to me as important as that of a Gil Evans even though it has never been recognized as such. Pete's music is imaginative, elegant, powerful yet romantic. Moreover it highlights the talents of the wonderful soloists that made the West Coast scene in the fifties. The present reissue is thus mostly welcome !"

Kitsch and Class Collide: Film at 11:00

Rick Price | Mt. Holly, NC United States | 11/17/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Buy it for Jingle Bells Mambo and King Porter Stomp, if for nothing else. Maynard is unbeatable on these tracks. Parts can come off like Esquivel on steroids but who said that was a bad thing? Not me. GREAT soloists all around. Virtuosity uber alles."