Claude Thornhill And His Orchestra – Snowfall
A CD that captures the very best of one of the most talented musicians of the big band era, Claude Thornhill – a distinctive sound of the 40s.
American bandleader, pianist, arranger and composer Claude Thornhill (1909-1965) was one of the most talented and sought-after musicians of his era. After playing with such as Whiteman, Goodman and Miller, the band he formed in 1939 was regarded as one of the most distinctive around.
Snowfall (Claude Thornhill’s signature tune; almost a miniature tone-poem) is Living Era’s survey of his great years. As well as Thornhill’s own striking compositions (such as the extraordinary Portrait Of A Guinea Farm) and arrangements (Autumn Nocturne . . .), the band gained a high reputation through the imaginative arrangements of Gil Evans (Anthropology, Donna Lee, Robbin’s Nest . . .). A popular Thornhill speciality was ‘jazzing the classics’, like Arab Dance or Träumerei. He also featured notable vocalists in Maxine Sullivan (Loch Lomond) and Fran Warren (A Sunday Kind Of Love).
Musicians include: Buster Bailey, Irving Fazola, Mickey Folus, Conrad Gozzo, Bob Jenney, John Kirby, Lee Konitz, Frank Newton, Danny Polo, Babe Russin.
24 Tracks.