“The playing is just over-the-top ridiculous, crazy good… a cast of shockingly talented musicians help make this album a must listen for fans of the Allmans, big-band jazz, and just remarkably well-recorded, really great music… the sound was magnificent and incredibly dynamic… When was the last time you heard an album you just couldn’t get enough of? For me, this is it…very highly recommended!
- Tom Gibbs // PS Audio Copper Magazine

“That it’s a larger ensemble bringing the Allmans’ music into the jazz realm, rather than a smaller combo, is a curious but ultimately brilliant ploy. In lesser hands it might have swerved into novelty, but the payoff comes right away…”
- Jeff Tamarkin, JazzTimes Magazine

“A Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band is a smashing success on all possible levels and accentuates the jazz DNA that was so vital to the original Allman sound. This is a Grammy-deserving record that pays its respects to one of the most innovative rock bands of the 20th Century… Do yourself a solid and listen.”
- Mike O’Cull, Rock and Blues Muse

Released in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band’s debut, this 10-song set of jazz interpretations of Allman Brothers Band favorites features Marc Broussard and Ruthie Foster on vocals on two songs each, and Jack Pearson's slide guitar on one (Jack was a member of the Allman Brothers Band from 1997 to 1999.)

Wycliffe Gordon, celebrated trombonist of Jazz at Lincoln Center fame, is featured soloist on “Don’t Want You No More,” and he wrote the arrangement for “Statesboro Blues.” Gordon is consistently ranked among leading trombone players in the Downbeat critics poll, topping the list at least five times.

While jazz interpretations of Allman Brothers Band classics might come off as a surprise to some, the genre always held great inspiration for the band. Gregg Allman, recalling their early days, said that “Jaimoe [drummer Jai Johanny Johanson] gave us a proper education about jazz and got us into Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Kind of Blue was always on the turntable - Duane really got his head around that album - he also seriously dug Coltrane’s My Favorite Things.”

Warren Haynes, longtime ABB guitarist, offered this about Duane, “He talked a lot about how important Coltrane was in influencing him. It’s almost cliche to say that you’ve been influenced by John Coltrane these days because it’s so obvious that he’s an icon. But for somebody in the early ‘70s to actually take that influence into a rock or pop sensibility was quite a stretch. Perhaps he helped to make Coltrane a universal influence in ways he didn’t even realize…”

Big Band of Brothers A Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band is available on compact disc, peach-colored vinyl, and across digital retailers. Order here.

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A Note from the Man Behind the Album: John Harvey

The first time I saw the Allman Brothers Band perform live was in 1972 — the same year as my first Buddy Rich Big Band concert. Today my affection for the Allman Brothers Band and their music runs deep, and my fascination with the power and elegance of big band jazz is equally enduring.

Bob Curnow's 1994 L. A. Big Band recording, The Music of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays, made a strong impression on me. It prompted my imagining many popular songs being performed in a traditional big band context. Ever since, I’ve envisioned many prospects for such transformation, but the early Allman Brothers Band catalog has always felt the perfect fit. So much so that it became an itch I had to scratch.

Over the span of a dozen years or so I floated my idea past a handful of people I deemed potential collaborators. Ultimately, I struck gold with Mark Lanter, a drummer I first encountered when he was performing with the University of Alabama Jazz Ensemble in the 1970’s. Mark is currently a jazz studies professor at U of A, leads several bands of his own, and is first-call drummer for the Black Jacket Symphony organization. When I reached out Mark was quick to endorse the concept, and in short order he agreed to become involved as a producer.

Relationships from Mark’s 40-plus year career led to our excellent lineup of Big Band of Brothers musicians, arrangers and studio wizards. At the drum kit he masterfully drove the band through the twists and turns of this dynamic material.

I met co-producer Charles Driebe in my pursuit of one of his clients, vocalist Ruthie Foster. Charles not only arranged for Ruthie to perform with us, he also expressed an interest in what we had brewing and joined our production team. He provided his own career’s worth of music business expertise and relationships, securing our roster of acclaimed vocalists and guest soloists to enhance an already stellar cast.

The Allman Brothers Band undeniably rank among the very best bands in American history. Their melding of blues, rock, gospel and jazz is legendary. Their collective genius created a musical legacy as rich as any I can think of. As we celebrated last year the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Allman Brothers Band, it is my hope that our big band jazz re-imagining of their works reflects the reverence we hold for that genius.

— John Harvey