Singing Instrumentals by Neal Hefti and his Orchestra, released on Epic in 1958.

Hefti was one of the grooviest of the bigger band arrangers during the 50s – and thanks to Basie, and a few well-placed soundtracks, he had the chance to really experiment with some unusual combinations of material that proved to leave him with an incredible legacy. This album is a perfect showcase for Hefti's unusual talents, as it has him leading a nice little group of swing players (Charlie Barnet, Hank D'Amico, Lou McGarity, and others) in combination with the Ray Charles Singers, on a set of very groovy vocalese jazz tracks. At the record's best moments, the overall feel is sort of like Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross with Basie – as the group keep fairly in the "vocal instrumental" range, and solo wordlessly over the band's tight soulful rhythms. . - Dusty Groove

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrgoyhgDdmM&list=PLFMsAAosCRcv_oS3DwpW70Zo2n-LV259G&index=1

#nealhefti #bigband #50spop #swing #spaceagepop #raycharlessingers #charliebarnet

Downbeat - August 12, 1946 - Charlie Barnet

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Portrait of Rex #WilliamStewart and #CharlieBarnet, #Aquarium, #NewYork, #N.Y., ca. Aug. 1946

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Portrait of #CharlieBarnet, #NewYork, #N.Y., ca. Aug. 1946

#jazz #photography

Portrait of #CharlieBarnet and Re-Bop, #NewYork, #N.Y., ca. Aug. 1946

#jazz #photography

Portrait of #CharlieBarnet, #NewYork, #N.Y., ca. Aug. 1946

#jazz #photography