Dizzy Gillespie
is heard leading his big band in a series of live performances during the summer of 1946, recorded by the legendary
Jerry Newman
, a fan who made historic transcription discs of many groups during the era. Unlike many of the commercial issues that have appeared over the years,
Uptown
was able to obtain the original discs from
Newman
's family, so with skilled restoration, the audio is quite impressive throughout this two-CD set. The fidelity is especially great for the horns and reeds, while the rhythm section isn't completely buried as on many such sessions. Some of the highlights include a sizzling take of
"Our Delight"
featuring the leader and tenorist
James Moody
, vibraphonist
Milt Jackson
in
"The Man I Love,"
Thelonious Monk
's
"'Round Midnight"
with its composer at the piano and
Jackson
, several takes of
Gillespie
's modern
"Things to Come,"
plus a guest appearance by vocalist
Sarah Vaughan
in what is billed as an intermission feature of
"Don't Blame Me,"
with tenorist
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
chiming in.
Ira Gitler
's detailed liner notes and the wide variety of vintage photos add to the value of this essential release for
's fans. ~ Ken Dryden