01 ThoroughbredArranger Gil Evans's first recording as a leader in five years found him leading an orchestra that could be considered a transition between his 1950s groups and his somewhat electric band of the 1970s. Several of these charts, particularly his reworking of George Russell's "Blues in Orbit," are quite memorable, and Evans utilizes his many interesting sidemen, including the distinctive voices of trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, Howard Johnson on tuba and baritone, tenor-saxophonist Billy Harper and guitarist Joe Beck, in unexpected and unpredictable ways. A near-classic release which has been made available on CD by Enja. ~ Scott Yanow
Recorded in New York, New York in 1969 and 1971.
Gil Evans Orchestra: Gil Evans (acoustic & electric pianos); George Marge (tenor saxophone, flute); Billy Harper (tenor saxophone); Howard Johnson (baritone saxphone, tuba); Snooky Young, Mike Lawrence, Ernie Royal, Johnny Coles (trumpet); Jimmy Cleveland, Jimmy Knepper, Garnett Brown (trombone); Julius Watkins, Ray Alonge (French horn); Hubert Laws (flute); Gene Bianco (harp); Joe Beck (guitar); Herb Bushler (bass); Elvin Jones, Alphonse Mouzon (drums); Sue Evans, Donald McDonald (percussion).