Search - Bill Original Big Band Holman :: Complete Recordings

The Definitive Bill Holman (1957 -1960)

Bruce Armstrong | Long Beach, CA United States | 11/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would give this collection 25 stars if I could. That is how high my opinion is of Bill Holman's writing from this period of his great career.



For those familiar with his writing on the 1955 "Contemporary Concepts" album for the Kenton band, Holman continues in that same linear/contrapuntal style on all 3 big band albums that are featured in this collection: "The Fabulous Bill Holman" (1957), "Big Band In A Jazz Orbit" (1958), and "Bill Holman's Great Big Band" (1960). There is also a reissue of his octet from the same period. All albums feature the cream of the West Coast jazz musicians of the time. Among them: Mel Lewis, Jimmy Rowles, Victor Feldman, Buddy Clark, Charlie Mariano, Herb Geller, Joe Maini, Richie Kamuca, Bill Perkins,Conte Candoli, Jack Sheldon, Stu Williamson, Frank Rosolino, Carl Fontana and Holman himself providing some hard-driving tenor solos. My review will concentrate on the big band albums as they are the cornerstone of this collection.



Of particular interest is "Airegin" from the "Fabulous" session, probably the first recorded large ensemble version of Sonny Rollins' great composition. Also from that session is a multi-segment original entitled "The Big Street," an early example of Holman's extended composition/orchestration technique. To me,"In A Jazz Orbit" remains Holman's masterpiece. It is timeless. The session was recorded 50 years ago and remains as fresh as if it were done yesterday.A combination of standards and great original material, the all-star band executes perfectly. Highlights are numerous, but the reworking of "You Go To My Head" with great solos by Mariano and Williamson is to me the session's highlight. "Aura" is another standout. A hard-driving Holman original that features great solos from Geller, Sheldon, Kamuca and Bill himself. Mention must also be made of "No Heat," a bluesy original that features the sax section along with a standout trombone solo by Frank Rosolino.



"Great Big Band" was a Capitol date and continues the "Jazz Orbit" tradition. French horns are added at times for more orchestral color. "Old Man River," "Speak Low," "In A Sentimental Mood," a modal-flavored "The Gentleman Is A Dope" and "June Is Busting Out All Over" featuring the great Joe Maini's fiery alto are personal highlights.



Although Bill Holman continues today to be an active voice in contemporary jazz--his numerous recordings with his own band confirming his status as one of the premier arranger/composers in the history of modern jazz--this collection presents listeners with an outstanding "audio snapshot" of Bill's immediate post-Kenton period. It was a period of time when he completed one successful career phase and was looking towards a very bright future."