Revisiting J.J. Johnson's The Brass Orchestra (Verve)

[Larry Kart]

What a wonderful album. Among everything else I’m particularly struck by J.J.’s writing for high brass. He’s got a unique touch for dissonance there and a fine group of trumpeters  to realize his ideas: Jon Faddis, Lew Soloff, Earl Gardner, Byron Stripling, Joe Wilder, and Danny Cahn.

 

[Rabshakeh]

Not a record that I know but certainly sounds worth visiting.

 

[Milestones]

J.J. is one of the essential figures in all of jazz history, an off-the charts talent.  His last decade was phenomenal and Brass Orchestra is perhaps the best place to hear his full range as player, composer, arranger, and visionary.

 

Edited November 19, 2022 by Milestones

[Д.Д.]

Listening to it on Spotify, great stuff. Thanks for the recommendation. Some voicings are reminiscent of Hindemith. 

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I have enjoyed this CD for many years. I picked it up on release mainly because he used Renee Rosnes on piano and back then, I bought everything she was on. I also seem to remember that it was a featured CD in the BMG Music Club flyer and I am pretty sure i got it from that.

[Mark Stryker]

Great record! I've been kicking around the idea of writing a column focused on J.J.'s composing and arranging skills. 

[Daniel A]

This is an obscure album worth looking for. It features J.J. in a complete version of his big band composition Eurosuite. Some parts were on an RCA album, but not the complete suite. And the playing on this live recording is more engaging than the RCA studio date.