The second of three releases by the
GRP All-Star Big Band (headed by
Dave Grusin) has lots of exciting moments, including "Manteca," "Blue Train," and a version of "Cherokee" that has tradeoffs by trumpeters
Arturo Sandoval,
Randy Brecker,
Byron Stripling, and
Chuck Findley. The band performs eight jazz standards plus
Grusin's "Blues for Howard." Also among the highlights are the playing of
Brecker and
Eric Marienthal on "My Man's Gone Now," the teaming of clarinetist
Eddie Daniels and vibraphonist
Gary Burton on "Sing, Sing, Sing," and the interplay between pianists
Grusin and
Russell Ferrante on "'S Wonderful." ~ Scott Yanow