In 1981 Tenor Sax legend Illinois Jacquet pursued his career-long dream of assembling a truly great big jazz band in the tradition of his mentors, Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, bands with whom he recorded and toured in his youth. He would apply all the wisdom and experience he gleaned as their sideman, as well as from his years of leadership over his many small groups, and would include songs he made famous with his 'little big band' of the 1940s. The Illinois Jacquet Big Band was filled with luminaries and young stars, but unfortunately would only record one studio album entitled Jacquet's Got It on Atlantic Records, in 1987. Released now for the first time is a live performance of that band in all their swinging glory. The place is Burghausen, Germany, and the year is 1996, featuring a younger lineup than our previous release, but swinging hard nonetheless. Yalloppin' Hounds' cohorts Joey 'G-Clef' Cavaseno, and Brian 'Lord' Sledge are featured, along with Mike Grey, the son of trombone legend Al Grey of Count Basie fame, and Gray Sargent, Jacquet's long time guitarist discovery.
