8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quality Over Quantity, October 19, 2008
I believe that the music that was produced by the Jay McShann Orch. for Decca during the period of 1941 & '42 has never been properly assessed. Very importantly, these are the recordings that introduced Charlie Parker to the world. Their obvious historical import in this sense however, has tended to overshadow the stylistic importance of this most sophisticated ensemble as a whole. These are without question, some of the greatest Big Band Jazz performances of all time. This was a tremendously interesting band, with a number of superlative soloists, and very distinguished in terms of its ensemble and section work.
If there is any shortcoming to this band, it is simply that its recorded output is so small; only two sessions that produced a collective seven titles. Amazingly however, the quality of all of these performances is so high, that these alone must place it within the highest rank, and most rarified group of Jazz Big Bands. This band singularly represents a very modern approach for its time, both in terms of its arrangements, and the smoothness of its rhythm and horn sections. Just listen to the reed section passages on "Swingmatism," "The Jumpin' Blues," and "Sepian Bounce." On the second chorus of "Dexter Blues," the reed section plays what must be one of the most profound ensemble choruses of Blues in the whole history of recorded Jazz. That voicing is so beautiful. I mention the reeds here, but the brass sections are incredible also. Most importantly is this band's stylistic uniqueness. In all of recorded Jazz, there is nothing else quite like this.
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