Trumpeter and composer Roy Hargrove, who died in 2018 at 49, is best known for his unflappable command in small-group settings, including his sterling quintet. But he was also a connoisseur of the big band — leading his own, on and off, through most of his career.
The Roy Hargrove Big Band released a single album, Emergence, in 2009. Around the time of the album’s release, he brought the 18-piece ensemble to WBGO for a session on Afternoon Jazz. Highlights from that session were later featured on The Checkout, then hosted by Josh Jackson.
Beginning with “Roy Allan,” a blaring, groove-fortified piece named after Hargrove’s father, the set moves into an original ballad titled “Trust.” Then Jon Batiste plays the elaborative piano introduction to “Mambo For Roy,” a Chucho Valdés composition originally featured on the album Habana. And this selection of excerpts concludes with a Hargrove original, “Tschpiso.”
Personnel:
Roy Hargrove: conductor, trumpet, flugelhorn
Frank Greene: trumpet
Greg Gisbert: trumpet
Tanya Darby: trumpet
Darren Barrett: trumpet
Jason Jackson: trombone
Vincent Chandler: trombone
Michael Dease: trombone
Max Seigel: bass trombone
Bruce Williams: alto saxophone and flute
Justin Robinson: alto saxophone and flute
Norbert Stachel: tenor saxophone and flute
Keith Loftis: tenor saxophone and flute
Jason Marshall: baritone saxophone and flute
Jonathan Batiste: piano
Ameen Saleem: bass
Montez Coleman: drums
Saul Rubin: guitar
David Tallacksen: Music Mix