Gregory Herbert: The Small Groups

Last Friday, I posted a video of Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd performing in Europe in 1973 that Peter Coppock sent along. As Peter pointed out, it’s one of the best known videos of saxophonist Gregory Herbert. Then over the weekend, Bill Kirchner, who also had sent this clip along to me months ago, included one of the only known magazine profiles of Herbert—which Bill had written and was published in Down Beat in June 1977. [Photo above of Gregory Herbert]

I figured I should post on Herbert today, to provide a fuller sense of of the talented but ill-fated jazz musician who would die in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Jan. 31, 1978 at age 30. As Bill pointed out in a comment he added under the Herman video:

“There are only a handful of videos showing the gifted Gregory Herbert (1947-1978), playing with the Woody Herman and Thad Jones-Mel Lewis big bands. The one with Woody in Europe in 1973—more than any other I’ve seen—shows Gregory soloing at length on tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute and piccolo. It surely will come as a revelation for those who have never heard this extraordinary player.

“I knew Gregory for several years. He was a recreational drug user—what was known as ‘chipping.’ As far as I know, he was not using heroin on Woody’s band. In January 1978, he was on tour in Amsterdam with Blood, Sweat & Tears. Someone sold him a poisoned dose of heroin. In his naïvété, he injected it and died alone in his hotel room. A few weeks later, his second child was born. She never knew her father. A tragedy.”

Over the course of his brief but prolific career, Herbert recorded mostly with big bands and large ensembles. Sadly, he never recorded a leadership LP. Among the big bands were those led by Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Chuck Israels, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis, Rhoda Scott with Thad Jones, and Thad Jones. The ensemble recordings included albums led by Pat Martino (Baiyina: The Clear Evidence in 1968), Johnny Coles (Katumbo in 1971) and Frank Foster (Giant Steps in 1975),

Three albums that feature Herbert isolated in small groups are among the best to savor his drive and beautiful tone. These LPs are Harold Danko Quartet Featuring Gregory Herbert (Inner City/1975), Mel Lewis and Friends (A&M/1976) and Chet Baker: Once Upon a Summertime (Artists House/1977).

Harold Danko Quartet Featuring Gregory Herbert featured Lawrence Feldman (fl on one track), Gregory Herbert (ts,as,sop,piccolo on one track), Harold Danko (p,el-p) Dave Shapiro (b) and Jimmy Madison (d).

Mel Lewis and Friends featured Freddie Hubbard (tp-1,flhrn-2), Herbert (as-1,2,ts-1), Michael Brecker (ts), Hank Jones (p), Ron Carter (b) and Mel Lewis (d).

And Chet Baker: Once Upon a Summertime featured Chet Baker (tp), Gregory Herbert (ts), Harold Danko (p), Ron Carter (b) and Mel Lewis (d).

Here’s Antiquanova from Harold Danko Featuring Gregory Herbert…

Here’s Ain’t Nothin’ New from Mel Lewis and Friends…

And here’s Tidal Breeze from Chet Baker: Once Upon a Summertime…

Bonus: Bill sent along the following clip of Gregory Herbert with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra in 1975. As he noted: “Check out Gregory’s solo on Don’t Git Sassy (move bar to 29:00). Gregory at his best!…

The personnel:

Co-Leader, cornet : Thad Jones

Co-Leader, drums: Mel Lewis

Trumpets: Jon Faddis, Jim Bossy, Steve Furtado, Cecil Bridgewater

Trombones: Billy Campbell, Janice Robinson, Earl McIntyre, Dave Taylor

Saxophones: Jerry Dodgion, Eddie Xiques, Frank Foster, Gregory Herbert, Pepper Adams

Piano: Walter Norris

Bass: George Mraz

Vocal: Juanita Fleming