Big Bands Keep Up with Times …
by Don A. Metivier, The Post-Star, July 3, 1978
The new versions of the old big bands were at Saratoga Performing Arts Center Sunday to wrap up the 25th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival.
Cheered on by a sun-baked crowd of about 10,000, the familiar names of Woody Herman, Mercer Ellington with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and a special appearance by Harry James and his Orchestra filled the second, 12-hour day of the two-day Newport concert at Saratoga.
George Wein, co-founder of the much-traveled Newport jazz concert a quarter century ago, put together the first Saratoga edition of the Fourth of July jazz landmark, and it was an artistic success.
Saturday’s session attracted far more people, but those who took part in Sunday’s salute to the Big Band Era were enthusiastic and supportive to the parade of talent.
The audience spanned many generations, from those who had enjoyed the big bands through the swing era, to those who had not yet been born when swing was king.
The most notable thing about the bands, which have survived years of rock ‘n roll, punk rock, acid rock and country rock, is that they have an older leader and younger players. From Woody Herman and the Young Thundering Herd, through the very contemporary Buddy Rich and his Killer Force, the bands are filled with young, talented and educated musicians who are doing things swing musicians of 25 years ago couldn’t and wouldn’t attempt.
Harry James, who got standing ovations from the crowd with his renditions of swing classics, paid tribute to the bands, especially the youngsters with Kenton.
James noted. “That’s a beautiful band, strength is beautiful, and he’s got some strength in there.”
Strength seemed the perfect word to sum up the talent of these new young musicians, who are keeping this American music art form alive.
They play with strength, they attack the music, they have great confidence in their talent and are obviously having a good time.
A sign of the times was in the sax section of the James’ band, where Barbara Persons holds down a chair. “She’s there,” James said, “only because she’s a damn good player.”
The bands moved on and off the huge stage rapidly, not keeping the crowd waiting for endless setups and tuning that has been a problem with some of the newer groups at Saratoga.
Several of the bands had outstanding drummers and featured them: Sonny Payne, with Harry James, Butch Miles with Count Basie, and, of course. Rich, who boots his own band along from behind his Ludwigs.
Big band music has gone contemporary. The surviving bands are keeping up with the times, with a touch of the past that created them. The big band sound is obviously one that will be part of the American music scene for many years to come.
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