Big Boss Band

Untitled

Big Boss Band is the 1990 studio album of George Benson on Warner Bros. featuring the Count Basie Orchestra. It's his second consecutive album which returns to his jazz roots after his successful pop career in the 1980s, and also his debut as sole producer of an album. The genre is mainly big band swing with some Michel Legrand and R&B thrown in.

Concept

In his liner notes, Benson writes that in 1983 he made a promise to Count Basie "to do his (Basie's) music justice" on an album such as Big Boss Band. He continues: "The spirit of the Basie Legacy permeated these sessions as I approached each one (song) in the way I believed the Count would have wanted." He thanks to Frank Foster III for his contribution and notes that he "was Basie's only choice" to arrange this album.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic

The album was criticized by jazz writers for not being jazzy enough, for the vocal performance and for not being able to grab the opportunity of making a jazz classic.

Awards

Frank Foster received Grammy Award for his arrangement of George Benson’s composition “Basie’s Bag” (Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band, 1990).

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Without a Song"	Vincent Youmans, Edward Eliscu, William Rose	4:09
2.	"Ready Now That You Are"	Frank Foster	5:50
3.	"How Do You Keep the Music Playing?"	Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand	5:00
4.	"On Green Dolphin Street"	Bronislau Kaper, Ned Washington	4:09
5.	"Baby Workout"	Jackie Wilson, Alonzo Tucker	3:52
6.	"I Only Have Eyes for You"	Harry Warren, Al Dubin	2:52
7.	"Portrait of Jennie"	J. Russel Robinson, Gordon Budge	4:23
8.	"Walkin' My Baby Back Home"	Fred Ahlert, Roy Turk	3:01
9.	"Skylark"	Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael	5:06
10.	"Basie's Bag"	George Benson	2:59

Personnel

Musicians:

• George Benson: Guitar, Vocals (all tracks)

Count Basie Orchestra (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10):

• Clarence Banks: Trombone
• Carl "Ace" Carter: Piano
• George Cohn: Trumpet
• Cleveland Eaton: Bass
• Frank Foster III: Tenor Sax, Tenor Sax solo (2)
• David Glasser: Alto Sax, Alto Sax solo (2)
• Kenneth Hing: Tenor Sax
• William Hughes: Bass Trombone
• Duffy Jackson: Drums
• Charlton Johnson: Guitar
• Doug Miller: Tenor Sax
• Bob Ojeda: Trumpet, Backup Trumpet solo (2)
• Byron Stripling: Trumpet, Backup Trumpet solo (4)
• Danny Turner: Alto Sax
• Melvin Wanzo: Trombone
• Johnny Williams: Baritone Sax
• Mike Williams: Trumpet
• Tim Williams: Trombone

Additional Musicians:

• Carmen Bradford: Vocals (3)
• Terry Burrus: Keyboards (5)
• Ron Carter: Bass (3)
• Barry J. Eastmond: Piano, Keyboards (3)
• Bashiri Johnson: Percussion (5)
• Ralph MacDonald:Percussion (5)
• Richard Tee: Keyboard Bass (5)
• David Witham: Keyboards (5)

New York Horns (5):

• Randy Brecker: Trumpet
• Jon Faddis: Trumpet
• Larry Farrell: Trombone
• Paul Faulise: Trombone
• Earl Gardner: Trumpet
• Keith O'Quinn: Trombone
• James Pugh: Trombone
• Lewis Soloff: Trumpet

Robert Farnon Orchestra (7):

• Robert Farnon: Arranger
• uncredited UK musicians

Technical:

• Greg Calbi: Mastering
• Emile Charlap: Musical Contractor
• Peter Darmi: Recording
• Russ Defilippis: Production Assistant for Broadway Productions
• Mary Ann Dibs: Art Direction
• Robert Hakalski: Photography
• Ken Fritz Management, L.A.: Direction
• Robin Lynch: Grooming
• Ed Rak: Mixing
• Dave Russell: Additional Recording
• Elliot Scheiner: Recording
• Al Schmitt: Recording, Mixing
• Lucrecia Snead: Project Administrator
• Michon C. Stanco: Album Package Coordinator
• Lorna Stovall: Design
• Jeff Toone: Additional Recording
• Alexander White: Styling
• Aaron Woodward: Musical Contractor

Charts

Album charts (weekly)

Chart (1990)	Peak position
US Top Contemporary Jazz Albums	3