Woody Herman Reunion at Newport

[musicbeech]

yes jeff davis was THE BEST LEAD trumpet player of of this period ny"s LOSSS

[uwepetersen]

Anybody know the rest of the players?

[tbonejok]

who are the bone soloists?

[callmeBe]

Well, I absolutely can't hold ANY trumpet section, ANYWHERE at ANYTIME in higher esteem than this one! And thank-you, Mr. Davis, for giving credit to all! I must have heard this group play 10+ times in various places along the west coast, and the level of musicianship throughout was never less than absolutely scary. To my ears, Woody always had well rehearsed groups that could play well in tutti, and yet was able to keep fantastic jazz soloists in each section. Thanks for such a burnin' post!

[flugelsak]

Loved this incarnation of the Herman band. Thanks for posting this.

[juliebunny210]

GO DENNIS, GO!!!!!  YOU'RE THE BEST.

[callmeBe]

When you write of Dennis Dotson--I don't know who that is--is that the lead you hear in the last few minutes??? That is some of the finest lead playing I've ever heard! Almost scarry it's just too good!

[mikemarlier]

@callmeBe

That's Jeff Davis on lead. Dennis Dotson is the long-haired trumpet soloist. Burnin'

[bigpapi1952]

Thanks, callmeBe! My trpt section deserves much of the credit! Nelson Hatt(2nd), John Hoffman(3rd), Dennis Dotson(3rd, solo) and Bill Byrne (5th, road mgr.)

--- Jeff D., the lead player

[bumps8187]

@bigpapi1952

Just a short note to tell you how much my wife and I enjoyed the Herman Band with you 'cats' at the Carnation Pavilion at Disneyland in the 70's.

Bob S.

[acedrumminman]

That's Steve Houghton on drums

[Mrmusicdude101]

what tune is this???

[brian740]

"Reunion At Newport".

[mikemarlier]

Isn't that Jeff Brillinger on drums?

[joeocho88]

Looked like this set started off with a baritone sax lead...

Trumpet soloist plays and looks like Dennis I longer hair in this video. Holds his trumpet the same though same as in high school..

I never expected him to be in the Woody Herman orchestra though! I AM impressed.

[joeocho88]

This IS Dennis Dotson THE TRUMPET PLAYER, right?

He's played every top place in Vegas, LA, New York and he is one of the BEST trumpet players in the United States. I bet he tours all over the world and the only person who even comes close to him tonewise and rangewise would have been Winton Marsalis from New Orleans or Doc Severinson! DENNIS IS AWESOME!!!! ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!

[musicmanWP]

Yes! It is, he is the best teacher ever!!!!!!!!!

[spacepatrolman]

There was a 2 record set of the woody herman reunion in carneige hall im not sure if it was newport in new york or the cool jazz festival [after the riot in newport rhode island in 1971 ] norman shwartz produced it [ he was gary mcfarlands manager ] then he had gryphon records.

[firebird111owner]

I saw this band back in the late 70's at Drake University. I then got to meet Jim Pugh at a reception about 20 tears later and had a great conversation about Woody and the band. Great video

[simplyjoy]

IS THERE A BARBER IN THE HOUSE????????

[TerricaD]

Dennis Dotson is my private intructor

[joeocho88]

OMG! I went to high school with Dennis Dotson!

He can PLAY!!!!!!!!!!

[gregeph]

The first time I heard Jeff Davis was when I snuck into a night club in San Antonio called The Roaring Twenties at age 15. Standing behind Lyle Mayes watching the trumpets. I was blown away by Jeff. After the show Jeff sat with me and a couple buddies and spoke about his playing. I remember he took his mouthpiece and began buzzing his mouthpiece in a very relaxed fashion and then picked up his trumpet and added it. The result was a rich, fat high G with no strain. Great post!

[bigpapi1952]

AH, my trp teacher at Berklee, Lennie Johnson, (ex Basie lead in the 50s) taught me that exercise....

[rmo52]

Brian, great clip! Bill Byrne was a good friend of mine for years, rest his soul. Met John Hoffman (trumpet king of New Zealand) a few times, among others in the band. Jeff Davis...WOW. The whole band, really. Woody, look down and smile on the legacy.

[trane1959]

This chart is such a bitch to play. Awesome chart, though.

[henry251]

Oh, Dennis is the trumpet soloist. He lives in Houston and still plays his ass off.

[henry251]

Trpts.: Bill Byrne, Nelson Hatt, Jeff Davis (lead), John Hoffman, Dennis Dotson

Trbs: Dale Kirkland (1st solo), Jim Pugh, Vaughan Wiester (bass)

Saxes: Gary Anderson, Frank Tiberi (solo), Pete Brewer, John Oslawski (bari)

Pat Coil, piano; Lou Fischer, bass; Steve Houghton, drums.

[junkyman2]

THANX FOR THE INFO. i'll be watching your vids...

[bigpapi1952]

Woww, thanks for your kind words! I must say that the band was TIGHT because of the tremendous talented souls in each chair - they trusted me and I trusted them. I was a rookie then, the new 'gunslinger'- they kept me grounded and wouldnt tolerate a "hotdog with bad taste."--Jeff D.

[Zappatero]

Yeah Jeff - That was smokin'!

[junkyman2]

Man what a sound the lead trumpet player has..anyone know who's playing lead. also the 3 trombone players were on fire....

[brian740]

Yes. The lead player is Jeff Davis. And I agree... his sound, time, and chops are right there. IMHO one of the best I've ever heard.

[junkyman2]

does he still play lead anywhere or with anygroups..i've heard many lead players..but his sound's got so much fire in it. He is a true freak of nature.

[brian740]

I to had often wondered what or where he might be playing now. Currently he's retired and living in Copenhagen. I have a shorter clip, just the last section of this song and he did reply with some comments. Also, you might want to listen to the clip I have up of The Four Brothers.

[beernut0415]

Re the bass trombone player - Vaughn Wiester. He plays mostly tenor bone these days, lives in Columbus OH and has his own excellent 21-piece band that plays every Monday at the Columbus Music Hall. If you live in a couple hour radius, you should definitely make the trek and hear them!