Live at Newport

AMG Review of Live at Newport

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

The Quincy Jones Big Band's recorded appearance at the 1961 Newport Jazz Festival was the orchestra's last hurrah before its breakup; the leader would soon become much more involved in the studios. With trumpeter Joe Newman, altoist Phil Woods, trombonist Curtis Fuller and tenorman Eric Dixon as key soloists, this ensemble could hold its own with most of its contemporaries. Jones' arrangements were colorful and distinctive, and the musicianship of the orchestra was quite impressive. It is a pity they could not make it financially. Their final LP has yet to be reissued on CD, but is worth searching for; it was reissued by Trip in the late 1970s.