Personnel:
Oscar Peterson (p), Ray Brown (b), Cannonball Adderley (as), with Nat Adderley (cnt), Clark Terry, Roy Eldridge (tp), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), James Moody, Yusef Lateef, Budd Johnson (saxes), Milt Jackson (vib), Ed Thigpen (d), Ernie Wilkins (arr, cond)
Reference: EJC55580
Bar code: 8436542012379
This CD couples two albums recorded in early 1962 by nearly the same big band, conducted by Ernie Wilkins. While "Bursting Out With the All-Star Big Band" presented the Oscar Peterson Trio (with Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen) plus the Wilkins aggregation, "Ray Brown with the All-Star Big Band" showcased the bassist as the leader (he plays cello on three tracks, leaving the bass chair to Sam Jones) and Cannonball Adderley (who also plays on the Peterson album) as a guest soloist on most of the tracks.
The accompanying bands on both LPs are authentic all star formations, including such names as Clark Terry, Nat Adderley, Roy Eldridge, Jimmy Cleveland, Slide Hampton, Melba Liston, Julius Watkins, Yusef Lateef, Budd Johnson, Milt Jackson, Tommy Flanagan, and Hank Jones, among others.
"Get hold of a copy of this CD, ply it again and again and again. There are gems to be discovered on every listening. Timeless treasures, and highly recommended."
—TreVor Williams (Just Jazz)
"Meticulously crafted and dynamically infallible."
—Richard Palmer (Jazz Journal)
-Bursting Out
"Pianist Oscar Peterson has a rare outing with a big band on this excellent CD reissue. In addition to his usual bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen, Peterson is joined by a particularly strong big band arranged by Ernie Wilkins; there are short solos for several of the sidemen including altoist Norris Turney, James Moody on tenor and altoist Cannonball Adderley. However the main focus is on Peterson and he is in excellent form on such songs as "West Coast Blues," "Here's That Rainy Day," "Tricotism" and "Manteca," blending in very well with the orchestra."
—Scott Yanow (All Music Guide)
