5 for Freddie: Bucky's Tribute to Freddie Green

by Bucky Pizzarelli

Overview

Bucky Pizzarelli's tribute to Freddie Green, the heart of the Count Basie Orchestra's rhythm section for a half-century, captures the spirit of the late guitarist. Unplugging from his amplifier and playing a lot of one-note chords, just like Green, Pizzarelli brings back memories of the unassuming musician who rarely soloed on record or in concert. The leader's supporting cast includes pianist John Bunch (as Count Basie), cornetist Warren Vache (as Harry "Sweets" Edison), bassist Jay Leonhart (as Walter Page) and drummer Mickey Roker (as Jo Jones). These performances do not attempt to mimic any specific recordings; in fact, a number of the selections were never recorded by the musicians being honored. But with so much experience among the five players present, the music swings effortlessly and one is easily swayed into tapping a foot along with them. To complement the leader's understated guitar, Vache uses a mute throughout the sessions, Bunch's piano is economical (much like Basie's approach) and the rhythm section is similarly reserved, yet there is never any doubt whether swing is in the air. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	02/13/2007
Label:	Arbors Records
UPC:	0780941134421
Rank:	109952

Tracks

1. Groovin' High
2. Bustin' Suds
3. For Lena and Lennie
4. Up in the Blues
5. Down for Double
6. High Tide
7. Dreamsville
8. Shiny Stockings
9. Centerpiece
10. Corner Pocket
11. All of Me
12. Sophisticated Swing
13. Lester Leaps In

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bucky Pizzarelli   Primary Artist,Guitar
Mickey Roker   Drums
John Bunch   Piano
Jay Leonhart   Bass
Warren Vache   Cornet

Technical Credits

Quincy Jones   Composer
Bucky Pizzarelli   Leader,Producer
Mitchell Parish   Composer
Gerald Marks   Composer
Harry "Sweets" Edison   Composer
Henry Mancini   Composer
Will Hudson   Composer
Jay Livingston   Composer
Rachel Domber   Executive Producer
Mat Domber   Photography,Executive Producer
Bob Frey   Photography
Luke Melton   Cover Design
Seymour Simons   Composer
Count Basie   Composer
Freddie Green   Composer
Frank Foster   Composer
Dizzy Gillespie   Composer
Charlie Parker   Composer
Jon Hendricks   Composer
Lester Young   Composer
Jim Czak   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering