Woody Herman’s Four Brothers Reunion

Featuring Frank Tiberi and the James Pearson Trio

Event Has Passed

Last Show: Sunday 15 th September 2019

PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

The mere mention of the term 'Four Brothers' flashes one to a familiar and fabled edition of Woody Herman’s Orchestras 'Second Herd', often called 'The Four Brothers Band'. Its concept and sound was derived from Jimmy Giuffre’s piece entitled 'Four Brothers', a three tenor and one baritone saxophone voicing. It was first recorded December 27, 1947 with Stan Getz, Herbie Steward, Zoot Sims and Serge Chaloff respectively. As a signature power tune, the Herman big band has been playing it each night for over 70 years.

Frank Tiberi, at a spry 90 years of age is a true unsung hero of the tenor saxophone. His knowledge is so expansive that everyone in the Woody Herman Orchestra for the past 50 years has learned from him. Woody hand-picked Frank to lead the band and continue on with his famous music in the mid-80’s when Woody took ill. Frank’s substantial contributions to Herman Herds are just a partial glimpse at his large bay window of resources, dominated by exciting concepts and vocabularies.

Clocking in with 39 years with the Woody Herman band, the incomparable baritone saxophonist Mike Brignola’s musical contributions carry broad amendments in super management skills and alacrity. His is a classic hard swinging baritone style is second to none.

John Nugent delivers his classic “tough tenor” to the band stand in the famous Woody Herman sax section mold. He has performed with a plethora of famous artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Al Foster among others and has been producing jazz festivals in NY and Sweden for the past 20 years.

Dave Riekenberg delivers a hard bop tenor style on a superior high level with an attractive full sound reflecting the style reminiscent of Sal Nistico and Al Cohn. His work in NY Jazz circles has elevated him to first call status in many artistic situations.