Customer Reviews

The Henry Jerome Orchestra 1944-45 (The First Big Band To Ever Play Bebop) Featuring World Famous Personalities and Musicians The Honorable Alan Greenspan, Len Garment, Al Cohn, Johnny Mandel, and Tiny Kahn. Live Radio Air Checks. (It's Jazz History)

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I love music as it is a hobby and I collect all various types of genres. A friend who knows how well I enjoy the early influences of music told me about the CD. I have known about Henry Jerome's music and I had to add this to my collection. I'm 47 years old and though I wasn't born when these songs were recorded, I enjoyed listening to the songs and the air checks and broadcasts. At one pint, when a special news bulletin broke in on track 4, I found myself fixated on the report and realized, it wasn't in the present! The arrangements are professionally quilted where each instrument comes in at the right time almost as if the music were talking to you. You'll find that each song has its own character and its own definition. You know how some bands perform a song and each one sounds the same? The songs on this CD collectio0n are different from one another. You will not be bored and you will be inspired to get up and dance. Treat yourself to some great music! You will not be sorry! This CD is a must have!

I like most have read the stories of the Henry Jerome Band with Alan Greenspan and Len Garment in the saxophone section. It was both out of curiosity and a being a long time fan of Al Cohn and Tiny Kahn that I purchased this CD. I must admit I was quite surprised at the album. The band is very modern with touches of the later Elliot Lawrence and Chubby Jackson bands. The section work is clean and the arrangements were pushing the envelope. The band is particularly striking considering these airshots were made in 1944 and 1945. Before the Eckstine group. The solos are good but unidentified. I hear a few Prez like tenorings that might be Al Cohn.

In general, this is an historic release that sheds light on early modern big bands. It is also good music.