Big Band Brass and Pearson's Careful Ink
Pearson trades his piano chair for big band arrangements, and the charts are where the surprises live.
Put on Now Hear This (1969) and the first thing you hear is weight: a full big band, brass stacked and sharp, reeds moving underneath in quick, deliberate lines. Pearson's piano is present but not in charge. This is a record where the writing does most of the talking, and the mood sits somewhere between confident swing and something more inward, with the ensemble breathing in and out of tight unison passages.
Pearson was known as a pianist and a sharp arranger, and this album puts the arranging front and center. Bob Cranshaw's bass gives the rhythm section a steady floor, while Mickey Roker drives the time. The reed section, with Pepper Adams on baritone and Frank Foster on tenor, gives the sound its darker and warmer edges, and the trombone and trumpet sections push forward with clean, punchy phrasing. The charts shift direction more often than you might expect from a big band record, which is what keeps repeat listens interesting.
AllMusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave it 4½ stars, noting that Pearson's arrangements take chances and reward close listening. That's accurate. If you want a starting point in Pearson's catalog, this is not it; try his trio records first. But for listeners who already know his small-group work and want to hear how he handled a full ensemble, this is one of the more rewarding places to go.
Who's playing
Bob Cranshawdouble bass
Duke Pearsonpiano
Pepper Adamsbaritone saxophone
Jerry Dodgionalto saxophone
Frank Fostertenor saxophone
Al Gibbonsalto saxophone
Lew Tabackintenor saxophone
Jim Bossytrumpet
Randy Breckertrumpet
Burt Collinstrumpet
Joe Shepleytrumpet
Marvin Stammtrumpet
Garnett Browntrombone
Jimmy Clevelandtrombone
Benny Powelltrombone
Kenny Rupptrombone
Mickey Rokerdrums
Where next?
More by Duke Pearson
All 14 albums →
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
