Buddy Rich - Class of '78 (1978/2019) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Class of '78 is a big band jazz album recorded by Buddy Rich in 1977. High class fusion from drummer Rich, including jazz dance monsters like 'La Fiesta'. Tunes are by Joe Zawinul, Horace Silver, Chick Corea and Bud Powell.

"Buddy Rich successfully led big bands from 1966 until his death in 1987, but other than his final effort in 1985, this album contains his orchestra's last significant recording. Inexcusably brief (with only a half-hour of music), the lack of quantity is made up for by the high quality. The drummer's 15-piece ensemble performs memorable versions of "Bouncin' with Bud," "Birdland" (the best big-band version of the Weather Report hit), Horace Silver's "Cape Verdean Blues," Chick Corea's "Fiesta" and Barry Mintzer's "Funk City Ola." With the soloists including Steve Marcus on tenor and soprano, tenorman Gary Pribek, pianist Barry Keiner and Rich himself (on "Fiesta"), the music is consistently exciting. Recommended." (Scott Yanow, AMG)

Tracklist:
1. Birdland 06:43
2. Bouncin' With Bud 05:53
3. Cape Verdean Blues 06:13
4. Fiesta 6:18
5. Funk City Ola 04:28

Personnel:
Alan Gauvin, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute
Chuck Wilson, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute
Steve Marcus, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Gary Bribek, tenor saxophone, percussion
Greg Smith, baritone saxophone, percussion
Chuck Schmidt, trumpet
Dean Pratt, trumpet
John Marshall, trumpet
Danny Hayes, trumpet
Matt Johnson, trombone
Dale Kirkland, trombone
Edward Eby, bass trombone
Barry Kiener, keyboards
Tommy Warrington, bass
Buddy Rich, drums

Digitally remastered