Buddy Rich, the most remarkable drummer to ever play jazz, can easily have his career divided into three. During 1937-1945 he was a notable sideman with big bands including those of
Bunny Berigan,
Artie Shaw, and
Tommy Dorsey. In 1966 he formed his own successful orchestra that capitulated him to his greatest fame. During the 20 years in between,
Rich led short-lived bebop big bands, a variety of combos, toured with
Jazz at the Philharmonic, recorded with all-star groups, and had stints with the orchestras of
Dorsey and
Harry James. This seven-CD set draws its material from
Rich's second period and it can also be divided into two. The first half has
Rich recording for producer
Norman Granz in a variety of combos.
Rich interacts with trumpeter
Harry "Sweets" Edison in a pair of octets (with
Benny Carter or
Willie Smith on altos), a quintet with altoist
Sonny Criss, a
Basie-oriented big band, and another quintet with pianist
Jimmy Rowles.
Edison is in peak form throughout. In addition,
Rich heads an octet that has four of
Count Basie's sidemen of the time (trumpeters
Thad Jones and
Joe Newman, tenor saxophonist
Frank Wess, and rhythm guitarist
Freddie Green) plus tenor great
Ben Webster, the remarkable pianist
Oscar Peterson, and bassist
Ray Brown. A live quartet outing with the exciting tenor
Flip Phillips acts as a bridge to the Emarcy and Argo recordings of
Rich's working bands of 1960-1961. A septet arranged by
Ernie Wilkins introduces vibraphonist
Mike Mainieri, who is also heard with
Rich in a sextet with flutist
Sam Most, and a group with
Most and trumpeter
Rolf Ericson. One date with the
Most-
Mainieri lineup was released for the first time with this box. While
Rich has his share of solo space throughout, playing ridiculously virtuosic solos, this swinging music contains much more than just drum solos, with all of the key principals being well featured. This limited-edition box set, which leaves out
Rich's four vocal albums of the period (he does take a lone vocal on "Bongo, Bass and Guitar"), a collaboration with fellow drummer
Max Roach, and a pair of big-band dates (including one co-led by
Gene Krupa), has virtually everything else that
Rich recorded as a leader during 1950-1965. Highly recommended and (as is typical for Mosaic) perfectly conceived. ~ Scott Yanow