Personnel:
Sam Trippe (tp, lead), Bob Mitchell, Roy Caton, Don Cinquemani, Diz Mullins (tp), Joe Cadena, Ray Sikora, Kenny Tiffany (tb), Bill Smiley b-tb), Bob Jung, Al Willet (as), Jay Migliori, Sid Miller (ts), Gil Sciaqua (bs), Shep Meyers (p), Francis James (b) Charles 'Chiz' Harris (d), Ray Sikora (arr), Bob Rogers (vib, lead), Kip Dubbs, Bill Mattison, Bud Billings (tp), Dave Wells (b-tp, tb), Al Lasky (as, fl), Bill Perkins (ts), Jack Nimitz (bs), Len Stack (p, arr), Gary Peacock (b), Roy Roten (d), Kenny Farrar (arr)
Reference: FSRCD 958
Bar code: 8427328609586
WEST COAST SERIES · Jazz & Swing Orchestras
Rare & Collectible Albums by Unsung Bandleaders
When the dust from the collapse of the Swing Era settled, there were few big bands left that had survived. Yet, because they loved the swinging drive of a full-on jazz orchestra, a series of adventurous and unsung bandleaders optimistically organized some fine, but short-lived, new orchestras that were packed with jazz and studio musicians, holding the flag of Swing high.
______________________________________________________________________________________
On Explosion! Sam Trippe led an impressive, skilled and hard-driving band with a varied book and a particularly striking brass section. The meticulously conceived and precisely executed scores are by trombonist Ray Sikora, with room for some crisply inventive soloists, among them Jay Migliori’s consistently exciting tenor, to show what they can do. An excellent rhythm team provides a solid foundation.
Bob Rogers’ band was working casual dates around southern California in the early 60s. It was a well-organized ten-piece group, with modern arrangements by trumpeter Kip Dubbs and pianist Len Stack. In his album All That and This Too, Jay Migliori, Bill Perkins, Jack Nimitz and Dave Wells have some good solo moments, and Rogers is heard briefly playing vibes on Mood Indigo and Midnight Lace. Gary Peacock is a worthy addition with his tremendous beat and melodic strength.
The welling enthusiasm present in the ensemble passages gives a glowing picture of the powerhouse of these two exciting bands, a glimpse of what it could have been.
