Woody Herman Presents, Vol. 1: A Concord Jam

AMG Review of Woody Herman Presents, Vol. 1: A Concord Jam

Ken Dryden
All Music Guide

Woody Herman took time away from his regular ig band to lead a similar unit composed of rising stars and established veterans at the 1980 Concord Jazz Festival. The result of this jam session is one of Herman's best recordings from the final years of his long career. "The Woodchopper's Ball" gets things off to a blistering start, with powerful solos by the leader (on clarinet), tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton, alto saxophonist Dick Johnson, vibraphonist Cal Tjader, and cornetist Warren Vache. In addition to another rousing Herman anthem, "Apple Honey," the CD includes memorable interpretations of standards such as "Body and Soul" (featuring Japanese clarinetist Eiji Kitamura), a driving piano solo by Dave McKenna on "My Melancholy Baby," and an emotional "Just Friends," with Johnson switching to flute. This first-class concert belongs in the collection of any Woody Herman fan.