As performed and recorded by Douglas Yeo (Boston Symphony) & Black Dyke Mills Brass Band.
Programme Notes by Doug Yeo:
George Roberts' nickname is "Mr. Bass Trombone" and so he is. George is perhaps the most famous bass trombonist who has ever lived, and he can take credit for shooting the bass trombone into orbit as a viable solo instrument. He made the first solo recordings with a bass trombone in the 1950's with such great arrangers as Nelson Riddle ("The Joy of Living"), Frank DeVol ("Meet Mr. Roberts") and John Williams ("Bottoms Up"). A member of the Stan Kenton band, he recorded the first solo on bass trombone with big band and has been heard on thousands of recordings, movie scores, commercials and television shows.
I had the pleasure of meeting George Roberts at the 1982 International Trombone Workshop in Nashville, Tennessee, and I was impressed that everything I had heard about him - that he was warm and gregarious, gentle and encouraging - and he still had a great sound - was more than true. I consider him to be one of my most significant role models, mentors and friends.
Roger Green has long admired George's playing, and we decided to include a tribute to George on the album. Roger chose three pieces that are so classic "George" and asked Bill Geldard, who's exploits as an arranger and performer (with the Ted Heath Big Band, among others) are well known. Roger gave Bill a tape of the three tunes we wanted arranged and he created a fabulous tribute to George. The first two selections in the Tribute are the classic Stan Kenton tune, Stella by Starlight and George's own Feelin' Low.
Bill really outdid himself in this arrangement of the classic tune by Edvard Grieg. George recorded this on his "Meet Mr. Roberts" album and it's easily the highlight of that disc. Bill captured all the excitement of the original arrangement and added an inspired idea - a take-off on the Gene Krupa/Benny Goodman "trading fours" duet in Sing, Sing, Sing from Goodman's historic Carnegie Hall concert. When we were recording this arrangement, I couldn't help that it was a little like "Ted Heath meets the Vikings."