Buddy Collette Big Band - In Concert (2000)

Bass – Richard Simon; Cello – Fred Katz; Drums – Chico Hamilton, Leon Ndugu Chancler; Guitar – Al Viola; Piano – Gerald Wiggins; Trombone – Britt Woodman, Garnett Brown, George Bohanon, Les Benedict, Maurice Spears; Trumpet – Al Aarons, Anne King (2), Nolan Shaheed, Ronald Barrows; Woodwind – Ann Patterson, Buddy Collette, Ernie Fields, Jackie Kelson, John Stephens, Louis Taylor Jr., Steven Carr. Recorded at the Lincoln Theatre, Washington D.C.

A fluent multi-instrumentalist, and the composer of everything from TV jingles to chamber music to jam-session staples, Buddy Collette has tended to be a victim of his own versatility. But The Buddy Collette Big Band in Concert, which captures a 1996 performance in Washington, D.C., is probably his best calling card to date. For one thing, it demonstrates that the 75-year-old leader remains in fine form on the tenor sax, clarinet, and (especially) flute--check out his nuanced reading of "Blues in Torrance," and the way his ebullient solo keeps bumping up against the tune's descending harmonies. What's more, the disk showcases Collette's compositional gifts. He's concocted some rousing vehicles for his 19-piece band, and the bright, brassy arrangements on "Andre" and "Blues Number Four" suggest late-period Basie, alternating catchy riffing with piquant solo voices. Among the latter, Garnett Brown delivers some attractively gutbucket trombone, while saxophonist Louis Taylor comes out swinging on "Magali." There's also a guest appearance by the leader's old comrade-in-arms Chico Hamilton, who drives the ensemble through a heated version of "Buddy Boo." But despite his aversion to hogging the spotlight, this is clearly Collette's show--and it's about time, isn't it? ~James Marcus