Terry Gibbs' Orchestra/Terry Gibbs' Quartet - Swingin' with Terry Gibbs Orchestra & Quartet

Swingin' With Terry Gibbs is his first recording with a big band and it's a star-studded affair. Among the musicians joining the vibraphonist are trumpeters Ernie Royal and Don Elliott (the latter also doubles on mellophone), trombonist Urbie Green, and valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, as well as saxophonists Hal Mckusick and Al Cohn, among many others. With compositions and/or arrangements contributed by Cohn, Brookmeyer, Manny Albam, Ernie Wilkins, Al Epstein (who plays baritone sax), and the leader himself, everything falls into place as if this were a working band. It is hard to narrow the 11 tracks to just a few highlights, but Brookmeyer's hot "Just Plain Meyer" (featuring memorable solos by both Cohn and the leader) and Cohn's gorgeous chart of Duke Ellington's overlooked ballad "I Didn't Know About You," showcasing Gibbs' swinging vibes, especially stand out. [Fresh Sounds' 2007 edition was expanded to include 13 additional tracks.] ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide