Century Plaza

• Artist: World's Greatest Jazz Band
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1972
• Type: Instrumental
• Genre: Jazz

Review

After two albums apiece for the Project Three and Atlantic labels, the World's Greatest Jazz Band started their own record company where they would record ten LPs during 1972-1977. The first release is a bit unusual in that it emphasizes new material. Bassist Bob Haggart contributed four songs, clarinetist Bob Wilber brought in three, and the group also performs Leonard Feather's little-known "Heavy Hearted Blues" in addition to just two standards ("At Sundown" and "She's Funny That Way"). Although the all-star lineup (trumpeters Yank Lawson and Billy Butterfield, trombonists Vic Dickenson and Eddie Hubble, Bob Wilber on clarinet and soprano, tenorman Bud Freeman, pianist Ralph Sutton, bassist Bob Haggart, and drummer Gus Johnson), few of the new songs are all that memorable. Recommended primarily to WGJB completists. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide