Dizzy Gillespie I'm Be Boppin' Too CD

Tribute bands are often bland affairs, because they become too predictable, while often omitting any artists who played with the deceased artist. Fortunately, this third CD by the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band mixes veterans who worked with the trumpeter and talented younger players who acquit themselves very well. Trombonist Slide Hampton contributed a fresh chart of Dizzy's "Manteca" that is a bit more introspective and less percussive and shouting, with potent solos by pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath scored the subtle, hip treatment of Kenny Dorham's "Una Mas," showcasing alto saxophonist Mark Gross, trombonist Douglas Purviance, and baritonist Gary Smulyan. Vocalist Roberta Gambarini's solid performance of "'Round Midnight" (and Hampton's fresh arrangement) trump those who claim that this landmark Thelonious Monk composition is recorded all too often; there is always room for a top-notch recording such as this one. Gambarini also guests in Heath's setting of Tadd Dameron's bittersweet ballad "If You Could Seem Me Now" and Hampton's snappy setting of "Lover, Come Back to Me." Nor should the brass players be overlooked: Roy Hargrove's lush playing in "I Can't Get Started," plus his comic vocal in the jive piece "I'm BeBoppin' Too," are complemented by Greg Gisbert's searing trumpet and Michael Dease's brief, effective trombone solo. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden

Liner Note Author: Zan Stewart.

Recording information: Alleycat Productions, South Orange, NJ (09/04/2008/09/05/2008); Showplace Studio, Dover, NJ (09/04/2008/09/05/2008).

Editor: John "Babbacombe" Lee.

Arrangers: Ernie Wilkins; Gil Fuller; Jimmy Heath; Slide Hampton; Tadd Dameron.

Personnel: Roy Hargrove (vocals, electric guitar, trumpet); Roberta Gambarini (vocals); Jimmy Heath (electric guitar, tenor saxophone); Steve Davis (electric guitar, trombone); Cyrus Chestnut (electric guitar, piano); Antonio Hart (flute, alto saxophone); Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone); Claudio Roditi, Greg Gisbert, Frank Greene (trumpet); Michael Dease, Jason Jackson (trombone); Douglas Purviance (bass trombone); Lewis Nash (drums).

Audio Mixer: Paul Wickliffe.

Down Beat (p.50) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he music's inherent continuity holds the pieces together easily....The band is the star, and its performance is clean and professional."