Track Listing

1. Dipper Mouth Blues
2. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
3. At the Jazz Band Ball
4. Virgen de la Macarena
5. I Can't Get Started
6. Concerto for Cootie
7. Little Jazz
8. Man With a Horn
9. Manteca
10. Tee Pee Time
11. Coloratura Concerto for Soprano: First Movement
12. Nostalgia
13. 'Round Midnight
14. Maynard Ferguson
15. My Funny Valentine
16. Joy Spring
17. Concerto in D Major: First Movement
18. Up Jumped Spring
19. Later

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #118955 in Music
• Released on: 2003-05-06
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
It wouldn't seem possible to do a reasonable survey of the 20th century trumpet playing on one CD, but somehow trumpeter Arturo Sandoval has done just that. Known as an immensely gifted and versatile player, Sandoval tips his hat to such jazzmen as Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and his mentor Dizzy Gillespie, as well as classical players such as Timofei Dokschizer and Maurice Andre. More than simply playing tunes these trumpeters made famous, Sandoval plays in the style of each trumpeter, even pulling signature quotes from their solos. It's a remarkable feat. With Quincy Jones at the production helm, the music and backing band changes according to the tributee--lush big band swing, bebop, organ jazz, classical, and Latin music are all covered. Surprisingly, there's not as much Latin jazz as you'd expect from the former member of Irakere, but with so much ground covered, this is more of an observation than a complaint. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews

A must for any trumpet player!!!
I can think of no musician who would be able to tackle the formative task of trying to copy so many styles of trumpet playing than Mr. Sandoval. He just about completely pulls it off. He is able to pick up even the smallest idiosyncracies that distinguish each player. I was skeptical before purchasing this cd on his attempts with the classical players he takes on but he proved me quite wrong. The only player who seems to have given him problems is Chet Baker. That voice cannot be duplicated.

But is it JAZZ?
This album is a radio programmer's worst nightmare...19 tracks representing at least four different styles. From the early days of jazz, classical, swing era, hard bop, and more, Mr. Sandoval pays tribute to the great trumpet players past and present.
Yes, he plays transcriptions of great solos. I would like to learn about some of the technical aspects of this recording: did he change equipment (mouthpiece, horn, etc.), recording techniques, or were the changes in sound all from his "chops"?
Okay, I am veering into trumpet geek territory here.
Throughout his career, Mr. Sandoval's sound has excited and electrified audiences around the world. He is probably the most technically gifted, versatile, and purely musical trumpeter alive today.
I would like to hear his own compositions and improvisations, but as a concept, this album is great. Is it JAZZ? Does it matter? It is a tribute to great players, historically important styles, and beuatifully played and produced. It even fits with the retro-reissue esthetic prevalent in jazz right now.

Best Jazz CD of the Year
It's been easily ten years since I've enjoyed a jazz disk as much as this one. I bought it the day it came out, and have been addicted to it ever since. You haven't lived until you've heard Sandoval's version of "Can't Get Started," one of the two cuts where he sings (the other being "My Funny Valentine," also very enjoyable). This is jazz as in joyful, not as in listen-because-it's-good-for-you.

For someone who enjoys older jazz, just being able to hear cuts like Berrigan's in the crystal clarity of a modern, well produced recording is thrilling. This disk has also sent me back to the old recordings to hear more from all the artists (particularly Clark Terry, Clifford Brown, Harry James, Roy Eldridge) Sandoval pays tribute to. A great introduction to jazz trumpet for those who have yet to discover the wonders of that instrument, and a fun trip through the years for more knowledgeable jazz fans. What a gift to jazz, and jazz listeners.