Bill Berry Discography
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Albums | Compilations
 Bill Berry & His L.A. Big BandHello Rev Release Date 1976 08 zz Label Concord Rating:  Although a bit overlooked at the time (especially on the East Coast), Bill Berry's L.A. Big Band was one of the finest jazz orchestras of the mid- to late '70s. The all-star unit unfortunately recorded much too little, just one album for cornetist Berry's Beez label and this lone Concord set. The power and joyful swing of the all-star unit can certainly be heard on the latter, which was recorded at the 1976 Concord Jazz Festival. Solo space is allocated to Berry; trumpeters Jack Sheldon (who also sings &"Tulip or Turnip"), Blue Mitchell, and Cat Anderson; trombonists Tricky Lofton, Jimmy Cleveland, and Britt Woodman; tenor saxophonists Richie Kamuca and Don Menza; and pianist Dave Frishberg, among others, and one should not overlook the lead alto work by Marshall Royal. This was certainly a remarkable unit. Berry modeled the band after Duke Ellington's and his rendition of &"Cotton Tail" (with high note blasts in the "background" by Cat Anderson) is a classic. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow, Rovi |
Tracks:
| Title | Composer | Time | |
| 1 | Hello Rev | 5:49 | |
| 2 | Star-Crossed Lovers | 6:18 | |
| 3 | Bink/And How | 11:40 | |
| 4 | Earl | 3:52 | |
| 5 | Little Song for Mex | 3:09 | |
| 6 | Be Your Own Best Friend | 1:57 | |
| 7 | Tulip or Turnip | Ellington, George | 4:28 |
| 8 | Boy Meets Horn | Stewart, Ellington | 4:07 |
| 9 | Cotton Tail | Ellington | 7:38 |
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