Here’s an idea, why doesn’t Herb come out with a big band? Don’t snicker. The TJB over the years recorded lot’s of big band songs: “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” (Tommy Dorsey), “Tangerine” (Jimmy Dorsey), “Girl Talk” (Neil Hefti?)“, “And the Angels Sing” (Ziggy Elman/Benny Goodman), “Flamingo” (Duke & Herb Jeffries), “South of the Border”, “In A Little Spanish Town”. Also some good originals with a big band feel like, “Slick”, “3 O’clock Jump” (Shorty Rogers). What was that third cut, side one, of the “Warm” album that sounded like Shaw, was it “Marjorine”? Has anyone ever heard the Harry James record of “Taste of Honey”? Call it The TJBig Band.
Lani could be Herb’s gal singer and he could be his own boy singer like Woody Herman always was in his band. How about Sergio Mendes or Pete Jolly on piano? Get as many of A&M’s former sidemen back to fill out the band. Carmen Fanzone and Bob Findley could be first and second chair trumpets. John Pisano has been with Harry Goldson’s big outfit very recently, and was featured on their “Night Train”. Where’s Bob Edmonson? He was with Les Brown, I hear. Dave Wells was on the Don Ellis band. I don’t suppose Lee Katzman is still around, he was with Kenton.
Herb could do a short tour (include Chicago, Please!), and put out a CD…Maybe a TV Special…Quincy Jones could do the producing and arranging. Not all nostalgia but also some new things written for a modern big band. How ‘bout doing “Birdland”.
Herb has the charisma and showmanship to front a big unit just like the best leaders of “the Era”. If anyone talks to Herb, pass along my idea, will you.