"Section 8 is a five-piece saxophone band loosely based on the famous LA Super Sax band that covered the music of Charlie Parker. This east-coast version was conceived by Dave DAngelo and is manned by his former band mates. All of the saxophonists here are Buddy Rich Big Band alumni. The harmonization of 2 altos, 2 tenors and a baritone saxophone is a formula for a hard-hitting session. The disc opens with tenors Walt Weiskopf and Steve Marcus mixing it up with true tenor madness. Weiskopf has been a perennial musicians choice for talent deserving wider recognition and Marcus has collaborated with Gary Burton and Stan Kenton. Altoists Andy Fusco and Dave DAngelo close the disc on the burning DAngelo original. The former sounding like Jackie McLean, the latter a bit smoother, like Frank Morgan. Section Eight answers the question: what are all those swinging cats from Buddy Richs band up to since the greatest big band drummer left this planet? They are still hittin hard." (Mark Corroto, AllAboutJazz)
Sterbezetting, met naast Weiskopf (ts) Brad Mehldau (p), John Pattitucci (b) en Clarence Penn (d). De meeste (postbop-)composities hebben een drive waar de heren hun ziel en zaligheid in kwijt kunnen en zitten bovendien muzikaal vol uitdaging.
"The recording of studio jam sessions was frequent under producer Norman Granz during the '50s, but his dates were more in the spirit of competition vs. cooperation. Producer Nils Winther assembled three tenor saxophonists (Billy Drewes, Walt Weiskopf and Dick Oatts) and paired them with pianist Andy LaVerne, bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Adam Nussbaum to see what would develop. The extended workout of the pianist's "Triplicate" (which is based upon Miles Davis' "The Serpent's Tooth") provides a chance for the three reedmen to stretch out a bit, with the composer adding a fine solo as well. A brief ballad medley features each saxophonist individually in turn with the rhythm section, but the interplay within the spirited rendition of "Have You Met Miss Jones" and the snappy treatment of the old warhorse "You and the Night and the Music" really bring the musicians together to make them sound like they are old hands at working together yet still able to take a few risks. Recommended." (Ken Dryden, Allmusic)
Amerikaanse tenorsaxofonist met verpletterende stijl. Zo speelt hij hoger dan de altsax van z'n nonet, heel bijzonder. Hij arrangeert geraffineerd voor oa trombone, trompet, baritonsax, altsax en fluit. (naar JazzNu)
