Tribute bands are often bland affairs, because they become too predictable, while often omitting any artists who played with the deceased artist. Fortunately, this third CD by the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band mixes veterans who worked with the trumpeter and talented younger players who acquit themselves very well. Trombonist [wimpLink artistId="3512620"]Slide Hampton[/wimpLink] contributed a fresh chart of [wimpLink artistId="2649"]Dizzy[/wimpLink]'s "Manteca" that is a bit more introspective and less percussive and shouting, with potent solos by pianist [wimpLink artistId="14844"]Cyrus Chestnut[/wimpLink]. Tenor saxophonist [wimpLink artistId="3674132"]Jimmy Heath[/wimpLink] scored the subtle, hip treatment of [wimpLink artistId="16813"]Kenny Dorham[/wimpLink]'s "Una Mas," showcasing alto saxophonist [wimpLink artistId="3505427"]Mark Gross[/wimpLink], trombonist [wimpLink artistId="7417408"]Douglas Purviance[/wimpLink], and baritonist [wimpLink artistId="4192432"]Gary Smulyan[/wimpLink]. Vocalist [wimpLink artistId="3593318"]Roberta Gambarini[/wimpLink]'s solid performance of "'Round Midnight" (and [wimpLink artistId="3512620"]Hampton[/wimpLink]'s fresh arrangement) trump those who claim that this landmark [wimpLink artistId="184"]Thelonious Monk[/wimpLink] composition is recorded all too often; there is always room for a top-notch recording such as this one. [wimpLink artistId="3593318"]Gambarini[/wimpLink] also guests in [wimpLink artistId="3674132"]Heath[/wimpLink]'s setting of [wimpLink artistId="16976"]Tadd Dameron[/wimpLink]'s bittersweet ballad "If You Could Seem Me Now" and [wimpLink artistId="3512620"]Hampton[/wimpLink]'s snappy setting of "Lover, Come Back to Me." Nor should the brass players be overlooked: [wimpLink artistId="32124"]Roy Hargrove[/wimpLink]'s lush playing in "I Can't Get Started," plus his comic vocal in the jive piece "I'm BeBoppin' Too," are complemented by [wimpLink artistId="5960187"]Greg Gisbert[/wimpLink]'s searing trumpet and [wimpLink artistId="4117394"]Michael Dease[/wimpLink]'s brief, effective trombone solo. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden