Sonny Rollins and the Big Brass is an album by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, recorded for the MetroJazz label, later reissued on Verve Records. Portions of the album were issued as Brass & Trio also on Verve.
Featuring performances by Rollins with Henry Grimes and Specs Wright and a big band featuring Nat Adderley, Reunald Jones, Ernie Royal, Clark Terry, Billy Byers, Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Rehak, Don Butterfield, Dick Katz, René Thomas and Roy Haynes, the album was conducted by Ernie Wilkins.[1]
[edit] Reception
| Professional ratings |
| Review scores |
| Source |
Rating |
| Allmusic |
  [2] |
The Allmusic review by Ken Dryden states "Big Brass is an appropriate name for the large ensemble arranged and conducted by Ernie Wilkins that accompanies the huge sound of Sonny Rollins... Also added to this compilation are trio recordings with bassist Henry Grimes and drummer Specs Wright, including a brilliant leisurely stroll through "Manhattan," along with Rollins' tour de force unaccompanied tenor sax on "Body and Soul" Another bonus is the presence of four tracks recorded at the Music Inn with three-quarters of the Modern Jazz Quartet".[2]
[edit] Track listing
- "Grand Street" (Sonny Rollins) - 6:04
- "Far Out East" (Ernie Wilkins) - 4:31
- "Who Cares?" (Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin) - 3:56
- "Love Is a Simple Thing" (June Carroll, Arthur Siegel) - 3:01
- "What's My Name?" (David Saxon, Robert Wells) - 3:46
- "If You Were the Only Girl in the World" (Nat. D. Ayer, Clifford Grey) - 5:08
- "Manhattan" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) - 4:28
- "Body and Soul" (Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour) - 4:17
- "Doxy" (Rollins) - 7:58 Bonus track on CD rerelease
- "Limehouse Blues" (Philip Braham, Douglas Furber) - 6:32 Bonus track on CD rerelease
- "I'll Follow My Secret Heart" (Noel Coward) - 5:31 Bonus track on CD rerelease
- "You Are Too Beautiful" (Hart, Rodgers)- 6:07 Bonus track on CD rerelease
- "Grand Street" [Mono LP Ending] (Rollins) - 1:09 Bonus track on CD rerelease
- "Grand Street" [Verve LP Ending] (Rollins) - 1:08 Bonus track on CD rerelease
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- Recorded in Los Angeles, CA, on October 20, 21 & 22, 1958 (tracks 1-8, 13 & 14) and the Music Inn, Lenox, MA, on August 3, 1958 (tracks 9-12)
[edit] Personnel
- Sonny Rollins – tenor saxophone
- Henry Grimes - bass (tracks 1-7, 13 & 14)
- Specs Wright - drums (tracks 5-7)
- Nat Adderley - cornet (tracks 1-4, 13 & 14)
- Reunald Jones, Ernie Royal, Clark Terry - trumpet (tracks 1-4, 13 & 14)
- Billy Byers, Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Rehak - trombone (tracks 1-4, 13 & 14)
- Don Butterfield - tuba (tracks 1-4, 13 & 14)
- Dick Katz - piano (tracks 1-4, 13 & 14)
- René Thomas - guitar (tracks 1-4, 13 & 14)
- Roy Haynes - drums (tracks 1-4, 13 & 14)
- Ernie Wilkins - arranger, conductor (tracks 1-4, 13 & 14)
- John Lewis - piano (tracks 9 & 12)
- Percy Heath bass (tracks 9-12)
- Connie Kay - drums (tracks 9-12)
[edit] References
[2]
