Quincy Jones' original big band toured Europe under stressful conditions in 1960 before returning home. In 1961, they returned for a tour, and although the personnel had changed a bit, it was still a mighty orchestra. This Japanese LP (which contains music from a Zurich, Switzerland concert not yet reissued on CD) has six selections, including a 13-minute version of "Stolen Moments" and a nearly nine-minute Phil Woods original, "Banjaluka," along with four shorter pieces. Among the key soloists are trumpeter
Freddie Hubbard,
Eric Dixon and
Budd Johnson on tenors, altoist Woods, trumpeter
Benny Bailey (featured on "Moanin'") and trombonist
Curtis Fuller. Fine straight-ahead music from a short-lived but significant jazz orchestra.
