Big Band Bash

Personnel includes: Bob Keane (conductor); Nelson Riddle, Billy May (arranger); Arthur Herfurt, Fred Falensky, Charles Deremo, Chuck Gentry, Robert Dawes (saxophone); Maynard Ferguson, John Best, Frank Beach, Conrad Gozzo, Maynard Ferguson (trumpet); Harry Betts, Si Zentner, Tommy Peterson, Milt Bernhardt (trombones); Arnold Ross (piano); Al Hendrickson (guitar); Joe Mondragon (bass); Alvin Stone (drums).
Originally released on Americana Records (28C 8126) in 1961. Includes liner notes by Bryan Thomas.
Personnel: Bob Keene (clarinet); Al Hendrickson (guitar); Bob Keane (clarinet); Chuck Gentry, Arthur Kerfurt, Robert Dawes, Charles Deremo, Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt (saxophone); Conrad Gozzo , Frank Beach, John Best , Maynard Ferguson, John McClanian Best Jr. (trumpet); Milt Bernhart, Harry Betts, Si Zentner, Tom Peterson (trombone); Arnold Ross (piano); Alvin Stone, Alvin Stoller (drums).
Liner Note Author: Bryan Thomas.
Recording information: 08/1951-??/1952.
Photographers: Ray Avery; Lamar Boren.
Arrangers: Paul Villepigue; Johnny Thompson; Nelson Riddle; Shorty Rogers; Bill Holman.
Bob Keane had two very different careers. He began as a swing clarinetist who in the early '50s recorded Big Band Bash and a few years later cut a couple other jazz albums. But then after he discovered Ritchie Valens, he became a successful rock & roll producer in 1957, founding the Del-Fi label. Big Band Bash is from the beginning of his first career, with Keane leading a swing-oriented big band full of West Coast jazz studio players. Although the more familiar songs are given fresh arrangements (the arramgers are Bill Holman, Billy May, Nelson Riddle, Shorty Rogers, Gene Roland, Johnny Thompson, and Paul Villepigue), the music is mostly pretty safe and melodic. Keane plays well throughout, while there are short solos from some of his other sidemen. The final number, a Dixieland-ish "Lilly's Back," was not on the original LP. Overall, this is a pleasing and swinging effort. ~ Scott Yanow