egroj world: Dizzy Gillespie And His Orchestra • Afro

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Dizzy Gillespie And His Orchestra • Afro

Review by Ken Dryden
Pairing Dizzy Gillespie with Cuban arranger/composer Chico O'Farrill produced a stunning session which originally made up the first half of a Norgran LP. O'Farrill conducts an expanded orchestra which combines a jazz band with a Latin rhythm section; among the participants in the four-part "Manteca Suite" are trumpeters Quincy Jones and Ernie Royal, trombonist J.J. Johnson, tenor saxophonists Hank Mobley and Lucky Thompson, and conga player Mongo Santamaria. "Manteca," written during the previous decade, serves as an exciting opening movement, while the next two segments build upon this famous theme, though they are jointly credited to O'Farrill as well. "Rhumba-Finale" is straight-ahead jazz with some delicious solo work by Gillespie. A later small-group session features the trumpeter with an all-Latin rhythm section and flutist Gilberto Valdes, who is heard on "A Night in Tunisia" and "Caravan." Both of the Latin versions of these pieces are far more interesting than "Con Alma," as the excessive percussion and dull piano accompaniment add little to this normally captivating theme. Long out of print, this 2002 CD reissue will only be available until May 2005; it is well worth acquiring.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/afro-mw0000216146

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Reseña de Ken Dryden
El emparejamiento de Dizzy Gillespie con el arreglista/compositor cubano Chico O'Farrill produjo una impresionante sesión que originalmente constituía la primera mitad de un LP de Norgran. O'Farrill dirige una orquesta ampliada que combina una banda de jazz con una sección rítmica latina; entre los participantes en la "Manteca Suite" de cuatro partes están los trompetistas Quincy Jones y Ernie Royal, el trombonista J.J. Johnson, los saxofonistas tenores Hank Mobley y Lucky Thompson, y el conguero Mongo Santamaria. "Manteca", escrita durante la década anterior, sirve como emocionante movimiento de apertura, mientras que los dos segmentos siguientes se basan en este famoso tema, aunque se acreditan conjuntamente a O'Farrill también. "Rhumba-Finale" es un jazz directo con algunos deliciosos solos de Gillespie. Una sesión posterior en grupo pequeño presenta al trompetista con una sección rítmica totalmente latina y el flautista Gilberto Valdés, que se escucha en "A Night in Tunisia" y "Caravan". Ambas versiones latinas de estas piezas son mucho más interesantes que "Con Alma", ya que la excesiva percusión y el aburrido acompañamiento de piano aportan poco a este tema normalmente cautivador. Agotada desde hace tiempo, esta reedición en CD de 2002 sólo estará disponible hasta mayo de 2005; merece la pena adquirirla.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/afro-mw0000216146

Tracklist
1 - Manteca Theme
2 - Contrastes
3 - Jungla
4 - Rhumba-Finale
5 - A Night In Tunisia
6 - Con Alma
7 - Caravan

Credits
    Alto Saxophone – George Dorsey (tracks: 1 to 4), Hilton Jefferson (tracks: 1 to 4)
    Arranged By, Conductor – Chico O'Farrill (tracks: 1 to 4)
    Baritone Saxophone – Danny Bank (tracks: 1 to 4)
    Bass – Roberto Rodriguez*, Lou Hackney (tracks: 1 to 4)
    Bongos – José Manguel*
    Congas – Candido Camero*, Mongo Santamaria (tracks: 1 to 4)
    Design [Original-lp Cover] – David Stone Martin
    Drums – Charlie Persip (tracks: 1 to 4)
    Flute – Gilberto Valdez* (tracks: 5, 7)
    Percussion – Rafael Miranda (tracks: 5 to 7)
    Piano – Ray Concepcion (tracks: 1 to 4), Rene Hernandez (tracks: 5 to 7), Wade Legge (tracks: 1 to 4)
    Producer [Original Recordings], Liner Notes – Norman Granz
    Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley (tracks: 1 to 4), Lucky Thompson (tracks: 1 to 4)
    Timbales – Ubaldo Nieto
    Trombone – George Matthews (2) (tracks: 1 to 4), J.J. Johnson (tracks: 1 to 4), Leon Comegys (tracks: 1 to 4)
    Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie, Ernie Royal (tracks: 1 to 4), Jimmy Nottingham (tracks: 1 to 4), Quincy Jones (tracks: 1 to 4)

Notes:
Tracks 1-4: Recorded May 24, 1954 at Fine Sound, New York City
Tracks 5-7: Recorded June 3, 1954 at Fine Sound, New York City

Label: Norgran Records – MG N-1003
Released: 1954
Genre: Jazz
Style: Afro-Cuban Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/Dizzy-Gillespie-And-His-Orchestra-Afro/master/259365