An all-star big band tribute to Woody Herman was one of the features of the Saturday matinee concert at this year's Jazz Port Townsend, presented annually by Centrum on the last weekend of July.
The concert was recorded for radio and will air on Jazz Northwest on 88.5 on Sunday August 28 at 2 p.m. Pacific. The band was co-led by two drummers who played in Woody Herman's band at different times. Jeff Hamilton and Joe LaBarbera take turns at the drumset and introducing the music which samples the band's 50-year history.
Woody Herman was known as "The Road Father" for his mentoring of many young musicians who later became stars on their own after establishing themselves in Herman's Herd. In addition to the two drummers, another alum in this tribute band is baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan.
The all-star band contains many established soloists and leaders who were also on the faculty at the week-long jazz workshop which precedes the weekend concerts each year. This concert was recorded in McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Worden on July 30.
Jazz Northwest airs Sundays at 2 p.m. Pacific and is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5. The program also streams at kplu.org and is available anytime after broadcast at jazznw.org. Next week's show (Sept. 4) will feature the opening concert from this year's festival, with tenor saxophonist JD Allen and trumpeter Sean Jones.
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