Ballet in Brass - Suite for Two Bands

"Ballet in Brass" from the album Suite for Two Bands.
Composed and arranged by Vic Schoen.
The following is from the original liner notes:
"Stereophonic Suite For Two Bands" was first conceived in early 1958 when Vic was musical director for The Big Record TV series hosted by Patti Page. Several bands appeared as guests on The Big Record, but it wasn't until Les Brown, an old friend, was booked that Vic decided to fulfill a long-term desire to write a work for two bands. It turned out to be the finale of the show, and the mail reaction more than justified the battle Vic had experienced to get as much as six minutes for the production. This initial essay was "Ballet In Brass," included in this album. Later in the year, Vic wrote the rest of the work but it was many months before Les Brown's peripatetic band was in New York long enough for the recording to take place. Les, absorbed by the challenge from the beginning, worked hard with Vic in making this set come alive. In fact, Les made his participation in this date a prior condition of his new contract with another label.
The men of both bands were also continuously intrigued at being part of this new experience, instead of wandering outside for a break, they stayed in the studio, listening intently to the playback. Some actually sacrificed more lucrative assignments to be there.
Beginning with "Ballet In Brass," Vic's love for antiphonal interplay becomes evident as does his pleasure in building climaxes by using very clear-cut unpretentious patterns. The trumpets are Dick Collins of the Brown band and Jimmy Nottingham of Vic's.
Les Brown and His Band of Renown
Reeds: Butch Stone, Billy Usselton, Matt Utal, Ralph La Polla, Abe Aaron
Trumpets: Mickey McMahon, Wes Hensel, Dick Collins, Jerry Kadovitz
Trombones: Stumpy Brown, J. Hill, Roy Main, Dick Kenney
Vic Schoen and His All Star Band
Reeds: Boomie Richman, Alan Ross, Sam Marowitz, Charlie O'Kane, Leon Cohen
Trumpets: Bernie Privin, Joe Wilder, Jimmy Maxwell, Jimmy Nottingham
Trombones: Charlie Small, Chauncey Welsch, Tommy Mitchell
Rhythm Section for Both Bands
Piano: Donn Trenner -- Bass: Arnie Fishkin -- Drums: Sol Gubin -- Guitar: Art Reyson -- Percussion: Bobby Rosengarden
Recording Studio: Ballroom Studio of Fine Recording, New York
Recording Dates: February 23--24, 1959
Producer: Michael Kapp
Engineer: C.R. Fine