Most of
Herbie Mann's Atlantic sessions of the 1960s are among the flutist's best and most popular work.
Mann and his regular group of 1963 (which includes vibraphonist
Dave Pike, pianist
Don Friedman, guitarist
Attila Zoller, bassist
Ben Tucker and drummer
Bob Thomas with added percussionists
Willie Bobo and
Potato Valdez) are heard in spirited form on this set from the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival. There are two surprises, both having to do with
Antonio Carlos Jobim tunes. The bossa nova hit "Desafinado" is taken in straight 4/4 time without the percussionists, which makes it sound like a new song. And three months after
Stan Getz,
Jobim and the Gilbertos recorded "The Girl From Ipanema" (but before it was even released),
Mann can be heard playing an instrumental version of the song, here listed as "Garota De Ipanema." A catchy rendition of "Soft Winds," the bossa nova "Samba De Orfeu," and
Ben Tucker's "Don't You Know" round out the well-played program. ~ Scott Yanow