The Birth of a Band, Vol. 1

AMG Review of The Birth of a Band, Vol. 1

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Although this particular ig band changed its personnel quite a bit before touring Europe, Quincy Jones began 1959 with high hopes. On one of his finest jazz recordings, Jones' arrangements feature such top players as trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, Zoot Sims, and Sam "The Man" Taylor on tenors, altoist Phil Woods, and flügelhornist Clark Terry. Highlights include the title cut, "The Midnight Sun Will Never Set," "Moanin'," and three Benny Golson tunes ("I Remember Clifford," "Along Came Betty," and "Whisper Not"). This music has been reissued on CD.