A Big Band in Its Prime
AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow called it a top-notch bop-oriented big band.
The Great Wide World of Quincy Jones arrived as a confident statement from a bandleader working at full strength. This was Jones operating the way he did best — leading a large ensemble through material that swung hard and stayed rooted in the bebop tradition, no experimental detours, no attempts to prove anything beyond what the music itself could deliver. The album landed with real critical attention. DownBeat gave it a perfect five stars, and AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow's assessment of it as a top-notch bop-oriented big band spoke to what Jones had actually accomplished here: professional, energetic orchestration that knew its job and did it well.
The strength of the reception tells us something worth knowing. This was not an album that had to prove itself over time or find an audience years later through reissue. It arrived fully formed and was recognized as such by the people paying attention when it came out. For anyone wanting to understand Jones as a bandleader rather than as a producer, this record shows him in his element — running a large group, arranging with clarity and punch, keeping the energy moving without losing control.
It's a solid entry in Jones's catalog from a period when he was working across multiple roles, and it deserves to be heard by anyone curious about big band jazz in this era. The album won't surprise you if you know what bop-oriented big bands sound like, but it executes the form with the kind of assured hand that made Jones valued in so many different contexts throughout his career.
Who's playing
Buddie Jonesdouble bass
Patti Bownpiano
Les Spannguitar
Budd Johnsontenor saxophone
Porter Kilbertalto saxophone
Sahib Shihabbaritone saxophone
Phil Woodsalto saxophone
Art Farmertrumpet
Lennie Johnsontrumpet
Jimmy Maxwelltrumpet
Lee Morgantrumpet
Ernie Royaltrumpet
Nick Travistrumpet
Billy Byerstrombone
Jimmy Clevelandtrombone
Urbie Greentrombone
Frank Rehaktrombone
Don Lamonddrums
Jerome Richardsonwoodwind
Julius WatkinsFrench horn
Where next?
More by Quincy Jones
Big Band Bossa Nova 1962
Miles & Quincy Live at Montreux 1993
Back on the Block 1989
Walking in Space 1969
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
