Woody Herman: Opus de Funk

This mid-1950s version of Woody Hermans big band was known as the Third Herd and featured a number of fine improvisers as well as arrangements by such top writers as Ralph Burns, Bill Holman and Nat Pierce. Pierces arrangement of Horace Silvers catchy blues tune Opus De Funk features several excellent solos, including one by Cy Touff on the rarely heard bass trumpet and one by Lestorian tenorist Richie Kamuca that begins with a memorable, perfectly timed two-bar break.