Artists' Comments
QUINCY JONES
Magnificent! "First Brass" has a lot to offer.
BOB BROOKMEYER
As an arranger I found "First Brass" to have engaging
writing and as a
trombonist, I found the brass playing superb.
DIZZY GILLESPIE
When you speak of lead trumpets, Derek is "Mr. Lead".
Allan Botschinsky is
in the same league, and I especially like what those Dutchmen, the
Van
Liers, can do on the trombone.
DOC SEVERINSEN
All brass, no rhythm section, and yet it really swings. This is
some of the
finest brass playing I have heard. The original tunes are of high
quality
and beautifully recorded. "First Brass" has certainly
taken the brass band
idea and run with it.
MAYNARD FERGUSON
I can't tell you how impressed I was with "First Brass".
It's great to hear
such fine brass playing combined with creative writing in a very
unique
concept. I am very familiar with all four guys and would like to
commend
them highly on this project.