When this CD was released, it was a major surprise. GRP is a label whose initial reputation was made on pop-ish jazz. However, co-founders
Dave Grusin and
Larry Rosen always had a love for the sound of big bands and for hard bop. For this set, they gathered together some of the most notable players on their label to play 12 jazz standards dating from the mid-'40s ("Donna Lee") up to the early '70s ("Spain"). The lineup of musicians is quite impressive, comprised of trumpeters
Arturo Sandoval,
Randy Brecker, and
Sal Marquez; trombonist George Bohanon (who had to be imported since GRP did not have any trombonists); a reed section of
Eric Marienthal,
Nelson Rangell,
Bob Mintzer,
Ernie Watts and
Tom Scott; bassist
John Patitucci; drummer
Dave Weckl; and several alternating pianists (
Grusin,
Russell Ferrante,
Kenny Kirkland, and
David Benoit), plus such guests as guitarist
Lee Ritenour, flutist Dave Valentine, vibraphonist
Gary Burton, clarinetist
Eddie Daniels, and percussionist
Alex Acuna. On the strictly straight-ahead set, which has such tunes as "Blue Train," "Sister Sadie," "The Sidewinder," and "Manteca," all of the musicians are featured adequately. It is a particular revelation hearing
Marienthal and
Rangell sound passable in this setting. Easily recommended to hard bop and big band collectors. ~ Scott Yanow