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HERMAN'S HEAT & PUENTE'S BEAT

Tito Puente/Woody Herman
1 disc

Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 942311106
Credits

Producer
Engineer
Personnel: Woody Herman (clarinet, alto saxophone); Tito Puente (timbales); Marty Flax, Joe Romano, Jay Migliore (tenor saxophones); Al Belletto (baritone saxophone); Willie Thomas, Danny Stiles, Hal Posey, Al Forte, Bobby Clark, Ernie Royal, Steve Lipkins, Nick Travis, Marky Markowitz (trumpets); Willie Dennis, Roger DeLilio, Jimmy Guinn, Frank Rehak, Billy Byers, Bill Elton (trombones); Sam Marowitz, Al Cohn, Pete Mondello, Paul Quinichette, Danny Bank (reeds); Al Planck (piano); Major Holley, Robert Rodriguez (bass); Jimmy Campbell (drums); Gilbert Lopez, Raymond Rodriguez, Raymond Barretto (percussion).
Recorded in New York in September 1958. Includes liner notes by Nat Hentoff.
Tito Puente and Woody Herman teamed in 1958 for a mutually satisfying meeting in the same way that Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Machito found common ground in the late '40s. Puente's Latin rhythms and beats meshed with the swing and bebop of Herman's band on half of the disc's cuts, and the results were hot and delightful. With Puente heading the rhythm section and playing timbales, Robert Rodriguez on bass, and assorted percussion from Gilbert Lopez, Raymond Rodriquez, and Ray Barretto, the band stays locked into the Latin groove while the saxophonists and trumpeters weave in, out, and around the beat. There are also more conventional Herman swing numbers such as "Blue Station" and "Woodchopper's Ball," where the standard Herman stomping sound is in effect. ~ Ron Wynn
Critic Reviews

JazzTimes (p.98) - "[With] solid anchoring courtesy of Belletto's baritone sax, and blazing trumpet work by Willie Thomas."