For this project recorded in November 4 & 9, 1959, at Fine Recording in New York City, Quincy Jones assembled a large, top-tier big band. "The Great Wide World of Quincy Jones" comes at a time when Jones was establishing himself as arranger/conductor and shows he as a bandleader capable of bringing together great soloists in fresh arrangements. The tracks strengths is how Quincy Jones uses to arranger with distinctive voice: the album blends the energy and improvisational drive of bebop with the lush, layered textures and power of a large ensemble. A kind of polished professionalism balanced with adventurous soloists. The album confirm that at that time Quincy Jones had not just technical skill in arranging and bandleading, but real artistic maturity. Released in 1959, a momentous year for jazz in general - considering the seminal albums by Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman - "The Great Wide World of Quincy Jones" fits perfectly into the evolution of modern jazz: swing, big band tradition, and bebop complement Jones's broad musical sensibility.
