Mel Lewis - Live In Montreux: Mel Lewis & The Jazz Orchestra Play The Compositions Of Herbie Hancock (2016)

Personnel:
Alto Saxophone – Dick Oatts, Steve Coleman
Baritone Saxophone – Gary Pribek
Bass – John Lockwood
Bass Clarinet – Gary Pribek
Bass Trombone – Doug Purviance, Earl McIntyre
Clarinet – Dick Oatts, Joe Lovano, Richard Perry, Steve Coleman
Drums – Mel Lewis
Flugelhorn – Earl Gardner, Joe Mosello, John Marshall, Simo Salminen
Flute – Dick Oatts, Joe Lovano, Richard Perry, Steve Coleman
French Horn – Stephanie Fauber
Piano – Jim McNeely
Soprano Saxophone – Dick Oatts, Steve Coleman
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano, Richard Perry
Trombone – John Mosca, Lee Robertson
Trumpet – Earl Gardner, Joe Mosello, John Marshall, Simo Salminen

The 1980 version of the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra performs five Herbie Hancock tunes arranged by Bob Mintzer, quite an assignment for the young tenor saxophonist, who was not even a member of the big band. Mintzer's reworkings of such tunes as "Dolphin Dance" and "Speak Like a Child" are fresh and unpredictable. Such soloists are featured as pianist Jim McNeely, altoist Dick Oatts, future tenor great Joe Lovano (heard on "Eye of the Hurricane"), and trumpeter Earl Gardner; also in the band at the time (but not featured) is altoist Steve Coleman. It is a pity that this music (originally put out on the European MPS label and made available domestically by the now-defunct Pausa label) is difficult to find. ~by Scott Yanow