Richie Cole Kush: Music Of Dizzy Gillespie CD

Altoist Richie Cole makes a full-fledged comeback on this fairly inspired release. He performs nine Dizzy Gillespie compositions (plus "You Go to My Head" which was actually co-written by Haven Gillespie) while joined by groups ranging from a two-guitar trio to a 13-piece band, all arranged in colorful fashion by Bob Belden. In addition to Cole, fellow altoist Paquito D'Rivera battles it out on "Kush" and plays some excellent clarinet on "Salt Peanuts" while trumpeter Jack Walrath has a few spots. other highlights include "Be-Bop," "Birk's Works," "A Night in Tunisia" and "Manteca." ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel includes: Richie Cole (tenor saxophone); Paquito d'Rivera (alto saxophone, clarinet); Roger Ingram, Tony Kadleck, Alan Rubin, Jack Walrath (trumpet); John Clark (French horn); Sam Burtis (trombone); Douglas Purviance (bass trombone); Earl McIntyre (bass trombone, tuba); Kevin Hayes (piano); Vic Juris, Fareed Haque (guitar); Peter Washington (bass); Carl Allen (drums); Ray Mantilla (percussion).

Down Beat (10/95, p.54) - 3.5 Stars - Good/Very Good - "...Cole spills out his passion convincingly as his creative motor runs on a full tank....plays with sureness and control..."
JazzTimes (6/95, p.88) - "The madman of the tenor sax, Richie Cole, is back, swingin'and boppin' with a vengeance and demonstrating his vast talents in a multi-star, multi-setting session of ten tunes made famous by the late John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie..."