Big Band Bossa Nova is a 1962 album by saxophonist Stan Getz with the Gary McFarland Orchestra. The album was arranged and conducted by Gary McFarland and produced by Creed Taylor for Verve Records. This was Getz's second bossa nova album for Verve following "Jazz Samba", his very successful collaboration with guitarist Charlie Byrd.
The music was recorded at the CBS 30th Street Studio in New York City on August 27 and 28, 1962.
Music.
The music for the album consists of four songs by Brazilian composers and four original compositions by McFarland. The instrumentation chosen by McFarland eschews the traditional big band format of eight brass and five saxophones for a smaller ensemble featuring four woodwinds and French horn as well as three trumpets and two trombones. The four piece rhythm section is augmented by two percussionists.
McFarland freely mixes his instrumental colors to provide a constantly shifting palette in support of Getz's tenor. Jim Hall, Hank Jones, Doc Severinsen and Bob Brookmeyer are each featured in short solos.
Reception.
Although not reaching the chart heights of its predecessor, the album performed respectably on the charts. On the "Billboard" Top LP chart, it reached position #13, staying on for 23 weeks.
Noted jazz critic Don DeMichael, writing in the December 6, 1962 issue of "Down Beat" magazine, awarded the album the top rating of five stars. He said: "Getz' melodic gift was never more evident; even the way he plays "straight" melody is masterful. Few jazzmen have had this gift... and it has to do with singing by means of an instrument, for Getz doesn't just play a solo, he "sings" it, as can be heard on any of these tracks, most evidently on "Triste" and "Saudade"."
About the writing DeMichael says: "McFarland shares in the artistic success of the album. His writing is peerless... he knows the proper combination of instruments to achieve certain sounds and he has the taste not to use all the instruments at hand all the time. His sparing use of the ensemble allows the beauty of the soloist and the material to shine through".
References.
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