BRATTLEBORO — The Vermont Jazz Center will present as its annual big band swing gala the music of world-class vibraphonist Terry Gibbs and his Dream Band.
The VJC will use the same arrangements that Gibbs' Ensemble performed during the group's apex that took place in the late 1950s and early '60s in the concert, which takes place Friday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m.
All proceeds will support the VJC's Scholarship Program.
Based out of Los Angeles, Gibbs' Dream Band is still recognized as one of the best big bands to emerge after the bebop movement. It included heavy hitters Mel Lewis, Joe Maini, Frank Rosolino, Conte Candoli, and Richie Kamuca and was given the title of “Best Band in the World” in Downbeat's 1962 Critic's Poll.
Arrangers for the Dream Band were some of the finest jazz composers of the time, including Bill Holman, Med Flory, Shorty Rogers, Lennie Niehaus, Marty Paich, Al Cohn, Bob Brookmeyer, and Manny Albam. They initially featured new arrangements of compositions made famous by their predecessors: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman.
There was such a buzz about the Dream Band that during its heyday, audiences of 300 regularly packed the band's Los Angeles home base, a club called The Seville, where famous movie stars and jazz musicians thronged to hear the West Coast's best jazz artists playing hip arrangements of their favorite songs.
Drummer Mel Lewis, who later went on to lead the Thad Jones–Mel Lewis Orchestra at New York's Village Vanguard, was quoted: “I don't think there was ever a better band than this one, including my own.”
A homage to 91-year-old Gibbs
The 17-piece Vermont Jazz Center Big Band - a professional community band that comes together under the auspices of the VJC to rehearse and take on projects - acquired some of the sheet music of Gibbs' Dream band and searched for a vibraphonist who could stand in for the virtuosic and hard-swinging Gibbs (who is now a feisty 91 years old).
Fortunately, Berklee College of Music professor Rich Greenblatt, who often performs with area guitarist Draa Hobbs, was available - and he took on this project with gusto, delighted by the level of writing and the prospect of reinterpreting such significant material.
Greenblatt has played in jazz and blues festivals in the U.S. and Europe and has recorded with The Be-Bop Guitars, The Jazz Composers' Alliance, The Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, The Paramount Brass Quintet and others.
The VJC Big Band will also feature vocalists Jill Connolly and Mark Anagnostopulos, who can be found singing in clubs and concert venues throughout New England.
The VJC big band is directed by trumpeter Rob Freeberg and features many top-flight soloists. In years past, the VJC has saluted Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman, performed charts sung by Frank Sinatra, and hosted guest vocalists Kevin Mahogany, Rob Fletcher, Samirah Evans, Jill Connolly, Amanda Carr, and Rebecca Holtz.
The VJC Big Band is comprised of trumpeters Charlie Schneeweis, Steve Sonntag, Rick Anderson and Don Anderson (no relation); trombonists Riley Goodemote, Bob Thies, Rob Skrocki; saxophonists Michael Zsoldos, Bob Stabach, Larry Tutt, Nick Pelton, Sherm Fox; the rhythm section is Wayne Roberts (bass), Steve Rice (drums) and Eugene Uman (piano) with guest percussionist Julian Gerstin (congas).