Justin Time Essentials Collection Announces
Restored Recording of Dizzy Gillespie's
Concert of the Century - A Tribute to Charlie Parker
Available Everywhere for the First Time - November 11, 2016
Album Features James Moody, Milt Jackson,
Hank Jones, Ray Brown, and Philly Joe Jones
In
1980 on a cold November night in Montreal, two iconic landmarks of jazz
history were channeled by a group of immortal musicians under the
leadership of the incomparable Dizzy Gillespie for a thrilling concert entitled Concert of the Century -- A Tribute to Charlie Parker.
Along with Parker, Dizzy was a key participant in both of those events:
the legendary Jazz at Massey Hall concert and the unforgettable Jazz at
the Philharmonic (JATP) celebrations. For this concert, the peerless
trumpeter helmed a spectacular sextet featuring his musical cohort of
many years, tenor-man and flautist James Moody, the father of the modern jazz vibraphone Milt Jackson, and the impeccable rhythm section of Hank Jones, Ray Brown and Philly Joe Jones on piano, bass and drums respectively.
Assembled by the esteemed longtime Montreal concert producer Rouè Doudou Boicel, the group performed for 3000 exuberant fans at the Salle Wilfred Pelletier Hall of Place des Arts
in Montreal, Quebec. Recorded in its entirety by Boicel, a very limited
edition LP release appeared very briefly after the concert, but the
tapes have lain dormant ever since -- until now. Through the Justin Time Essentials Collection,
this stunning performance is now available in three different formats
-- as a CD, HD digital (Mastered for iTunes), and a 180 gram deluxe
gatefold 2 LP set.
Altogether,
these six giants have brought their profound talents to more than a
thousand of jazz' finest recordings -- spanning more than half a century
of jazz expression at its highest levels -- and with more than 300
years of combined recognition at the upper levels of the jazz pantheon.
From the first sounds echoed on this night, it was apparent that each of
them was at the very top of their game, unified not only by their deep
love and respect for Charlie "Bird" Parker, but in the pure joy and
transcendent spirit of each others' company. The delight that each of
the musicians shared in the experience is not only contained fully in
the music, but also in the banter and repartee between the songs that
further captivated the enthralled and loudly receptive audience.
Historically,
the infectious spirit of the JATP shows is always in the air, and
although the explosive cutting contests and battles that were so much a
part of that format are not part of this event, the loving commitment to
the music by the all-star lineup and the audience's palpable excitement
is very similar. Focused substantially on songs associated with Bird,
the repertoire is outstanding, and the musicians offer it up with the
perfect brew of virtuosity, jubilance, passion, tastefulness and command
within a synergy that is what this music is all about at its best.
The
music ranges from beautiful ballads -- a muted trumpet sojourn on
Vincent Youmans' "Time On My Hands" and a gorgeous duet by Diz and Jones
on Hoagy Carmichael's timeless classic "Stardust" -- to rollicking
blowfests on Dizzy's own "Blue 'n' Boogie" and a blazing version of
Harold Arlen's "Get Happy" that give everyone a chance to stretch out.
Moody's
formidable skills are highlighted both on flute (on his own original
"Darben the Redd Foxx") and on tenor (for Johnny Mandel's lovely "The
Shadow of Your Smile") that also demonstrates an adventurous modernism
that kept these stalwarts in the forefront of the music throughout their
careers.
A
bonus contained here are two items that were not available on the
initial limited release: a Milt Jackson excursion on Ralph Rainger's "If
I Should Lose You" that moves from filigreed balladry to swinging
mid-tempo; and a brilliant eight-minute bass solo by Ray Brown that
incorporates Luiz Bonfá's "Manhã de Carnaval" and Nat Adderley's "Work
Song" into his virtuosic performance.
Concert of the Century -- A Tribute to Charlie Parker
has been fully re-mastered for the finest audio quality and marks
another sterling achievement in Justin Time's commitment to jazz in both
its exciting present and its glorious history.
Track Listing:
1. Blue 'n' Boogie
2. If I Should Lose You
3. Darben the Redd Foxx
4. Time on my Hands
5. Get Happy
6. The Shadow of Your Smile
7. Bass Solo
8. Stardust
Dizzy Gillespie ·
Concert of the Century -- A Tribute to Charlie Parker
Justin Time · Release Date: November 11, 2016
For more information on Justin Time, please visit: justin-time.com
For media information, please contact:
DL Media · 610-667-0501
Maureen McFadden · maureen@dlmediamusic.com
Greg Angiolillo · greg@dlmediamusic.com
Nettwerk Music Group · 323-698-1843
Penny Palmer · ppalmer@nettwerk.com
Public Relations for the Preferred Artist Information and press materials
(including album covers, promotional photos and bios) on all DL Media artists
can be found at our website: dlmediamusic.com
