Cherokee

Product Description:

Personnel: Charlie Barnet (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones); Bunny Briggs (vocals); Pete Mondello (alto, tenor & baritone saxophones); Vinnie Dean (alto saxophone); Dick Hafer, Kurt Bloom (tenor saxophone); Danny Bank (baritone saxophone); Charlie Shavers, Markey Markowitz, Clark Terry, Al Stewart, Jimmy Nottingham (trumpet); Billy Byers, Frank Sarroco, Bobby Byrne, Ed Price (trombone); Nat Pierce (piano); Chubby Jackson (bass); Terry Snyder (drums).

Recorded in New York on August 5 & 6, 1958. Includes original release liner notes by Nat Hentoff.

One of Charlie Barent's later efforts, CHEROKEE proved to be more than fortuitous for this enigmatic musician. Spurning conventional wisdom, he released this set of vintage big band tunes when rock & roll was the rage, and big-band jazz had long since metamorphosed into bebop, cool, and even newer, more avant-garde styles.

Barnet's 1958 band, composed of jazz greats such as trumpeter Clark Terry and pianist Nat Pierce, showed a previously apathetic audience that big band music was not only still viable, but exciting. Heavily influenced by the Basie and Ellington orchestras, Barnet successfully leads a tight, hard-swinging ensemble on this date. Songs such as "East Side, West Side," "Blue Juice," and the title track, prove this band's ability to match the legendary orchestras from the Golden Era of swing. Arguably Barnet's strongest effort, CHEROKEE is an exhilarating album.