Ya Gotta Try – 1980
Buddy Rich
Rich drives his big band
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No one could drive a big band like Buddy Rich.
While Rich was arguably the greatest of all drum soloists, he was also quite skilled at lighting a fire under his sidemen, particularly when he was at the head of a large orchestra.
Against all odds, in the late 1960s Rich formed his own big band which was successful during the next decade even with its many personnel changes.
“Ya Gotta Try” has a brief tenor battle by Steve Marcus and Bob Mintzer but it is mostly a strong example of Buddy Rich pushing his big band at a fast tempo.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald