Four Brothers - Big Friendly Jazz Orchestra BFJO

[MrBeard1945]

There is hope for our youth. It's just no in this country.

[teabagger11000]

not bad from such young people

[eighthunderdeight]

Fantastic, this is so difficult to play, they did an amazing job

[kaunasprince]

These chicks got IT...and that is no bull.

[lllomax]

Ensemble, good. Solos, very poor. Rhythm section, rushing. And, yes, I know they're high school kids or something of the sort.

[klaustand]

I would recommend the critics to put the recordings of their own performances on the tube so that we can see and hear if they are any better at all! Personally I doubt it, since these girls are fantastic. What a job they did 8 years ago.

Klaus

[ThatSaxPlayer]

Can't believe how great a job they've done..I on the original recording that they've used to play from (a live recording we did in the early 80's) and they've even transcribed all our solos! I know that we in the sax section found this a real honor, and humbled all they did to get it do right!

[cbs2don]

The girls are fantastic. Impressive beyond words. The 5 "sisters" do a respectable job of The Four Brothers.

[BushZappa]

Go sax section go! Sounds like the Stan Getz original, almost.

[purefilms]

I'm so impressed by these high school girls. They play even better than the professional musicians in Taiwan. Really feel proud for them.

[pelforthpelforth]

great stuff , people...lotta serious worthwhile talent there....v. much enjoyed...thx-a-lot!

[timopartanen]

Amazing!

[LawrenceDavis]

Is there ANYTHING these damn Japanese can't do? High school GIRLS doing a a classic Herman tune with real flair. Not up to the original version with Getz et al of course (especially in the improv breaks) but one can only imagine the hours and hours of practice these kids must have gone through.  Just wonderful!

[LawrenceDavis]

@LawrenceDavis ...Incidentally, there's nothing wrong with the tempo....it's exactly the speed at which Getz, Serge Chaloff, Zoot Sims and Herbie Steward played it with Woody's band. I have it on CD and the run time is identical.

[crow1938]

Five Sisters. I can't watch and hear this without smiling. Such a big sound from such tiny musicians. I'm a fan of BFJO. Seven years ago; what are they all doing now?

[1nfuzion]

My God. Those kids sound so professional. I'm around their age group and I play the alto sax. They inspire to better.

[2nitewepartay]

this is actually slow (but still amazing) in comparison to the profermance tempo!

[TemperaMagenta]

I think it sounds really good, but I'm no expert on woodwind ensembles. I play in a British style brass band. We are currently trying to learn a brass band arrangement of this. I find it really hard, so I think these girls are doing a terrific job :)

[evergreach2346]

ehhh, it's ok. there's no feeling though. and the tenors have an obnoxious sound. it's so weak.

[ydoggbdoggbigG2]

i found the tempo too quick as well, for me it just aint swingin!, they are ok for what they do but this is constructive cricitism, saying they need to play with more feel doesnt mean they are inherently poor musicians, its simply a suggestion of a particular area they could work on. no ones perfect after all

[gazzy11296]

i agree!

that song was like 180 bpm or higher!!!!!!

[Asbadian]

Try 240. Our band plays this at around 220-225 and this is quite a bit faster than what we play.

[Asbadian]

The tempo is too fast in my opinion, also. This song is really meant to be swung very hard if at all though. It's a pretty tight song, not really very swingy. The reason their music sounds off is because they don't swing at all. They're dead on the beat.

[gazzy11296]

i'd like like to see you do better

[Skimbleshanks34]

@evergreach2346 haha man..listening to your band I figure you have no arguement here. The tenor's are pretty damn awesome for a high school band! Keep practicing the alto bud, your high notes are unfailingly sharp.

[kaunasprince]

You people that find fault with this....must fault everything.These girls are fabulous.

[Asbadian]

I agree. Just because they play it in a way that they don't particularly like doesn't mean they aren't amazing. They're dead on it and don't rush/drag the whole time. It's a bit fast for my taste but that still doesn't take away the general awesome-ness (Isn't a word...I know..) of their playing skillz.

[reddphoxx2]

I love it they're playing four brothers but their all girls :D

[gazzy11296]

thats some shitty irony :D

[theultimatefox]

tis a good song - i like

hehe

[gazzy11296]

right at :43, theres an alto!

[burlong01]

wow way to not pay attention to the tempo the drummer set

[einnobnil]

Copied solo's or not, these girls have the sound!!

It's probably harder to copy the solos than to improvise. Way to go girls!!! Bonnie Anderson

[theinvisiblelight]

not an alto in the bunch.. *tear*

[wayn3r]

Traditional recording contains 3 tenor saxophones and 1 baritone saxophone, but I think the second from the left is playing an alto anyway.

[theinvisiblelight]

yeah i thought about that. its really hard to tell form that perspective

[TheYoungArtists]

yes there is second from left

[modmusik]

I didn't mean it as an offense for some players to do solos verbatim. I mean, back in 1989 I played the Don Menza "Channel One Suite" solo and cadenza verbatim, and people came up to me and said it was cool, even though I copied it note for note.

[Thouveninpascal]

Et tout ça sans partitions, bravo mesdemoiselles.

[modmusik]

Should be the "Five Sisters" - A lot of their licks are almost copied verbatim from Herman "live" concerts. Especially the clarinet solo.

[OldBogey]

So what?

[gabrielpatricknava]

No, "So What" is from MIles Davis ;-)

[theinvisiblelight]

lol..

[TheYoungArtists]

ha lol

[SvenHild]

The drummer looks static. no flow :(

maybe its learned by heart but it isnt played with heart. too sad...

[Thouveninpascal]

A video with you, please. Have more respect please.

[communistmusic]

is it just me or do those saxophones look enormous on those kids?

[ebgigs]

WOW! Girls! good playing

[gazzy11296]

amazing, its been about 5 months now of watching this, my comment is down there

and it still is WOW

especially the clarinet, amazing she should go pro on tenor and/or clarinet

[gazzy11296]

what i said down there is not kinda true anymore

were doing four brothers at our school, were pretty good to

[Tony7840]

Woody Herman and Jimmy Giuffre (the composer/aranger) for this song would definitely be proud. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

[DF9S5]

Five years have passed since this recital took place. I can imagine how much these young people musical knowledge must have increased ever since. It's a great rendition indeed, Woody Herman would have been truly impressed.

[gbarnesb]

i played this in jazz too at high school last year it was a hard piece but fun

[kajobike]

This is amazing! It's encouraging to see Woody's music living on like this. Sorry to say you don't see stuff like this in the U.S. These girls can play!

[gazzy11296]

wow

ill be this good in like, another 7 years

[maestrowick]

Totemo Omoshiroidesu!

I like it lots!

[DOAer]

I never get tired of hearing this piece.

[iichiroiichiro]

どーせ聞くに堪えないくらい下手だろうと思って聞いたけど

なかなかどうして上手いじゃん。ソロ以外は下手な大学のビッグバ­ンドよりうまいよ。

[waltandrus]

I was with Buddy Morrow and The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra for 15 years...to make it a CLASS act it's visual...

[Neverintime]

Magnificent. I'd say this is the 2002 band. How long has this been going on?

[katiekwala]

The solos were transcribed straight off the "World Class" cd, but awesomely played.

Solid band sound, swing feels a little robot-y sometimes, but seriously some sweet stuff goin on here.

[OldBogey]

I have just listebed to the Herman original.

I am proud of you.

[lildoc2012]

GO tenor that solo is awsome

[DOAer]

Very nice saxophone section! And clarinet also!

[braintreecat]

Very true to Woody's original Jimmy Giuffre). AND it was memorized. Solos were more than adaquate-not likely transcribed. Solid rhythm section and nice blend and dynamic control.5 stars

[braintreecat]

Interesting using 3 tenors, alto and bari very true to original inst. PLUS the bari player copped Woody's clarinet interlude very well-first time I've ever heard a member of the BFJO sax section double. More amazing stuff.

[braintreecat]

Clarinet break on the bridge played by the 3rd tenor -to the left of the bari-sorry for the error.!

[waltandrus]

Woody had 3 tenors in his Band... I like the respect to the dynamics in this band... Most Big Bands don't...I don't dig the transcribed solos but they are played VERY well! They could use a Lead trumpet player with some HIGH CHOPS and a more female/sexier uniform...even jackets/tuxes would be classier... Great clip overall!!!

[braintreecat]

Trumpet parts weren't clean and clear? To me I heard everything (mostly unison) and the lead was there when it was voiced. On an earlier post (Count Bubba) the girl (2nd from left -lead player) popped some hi C's, D,s even F's and G's . Not bad for 17 year old chick. Their about the music -not the look!

[Travistanya]

Wonderful Sax section!!!