Sonny Rollins and the Big Brass

Sonny Rollins and the Big Brass is an album by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, recorded for the MetroJazz label, later reissued on Verve Records as Brass & Trio.

Featuring performances by Rollins with Henry Grimes and Specs Wright and a big band featuring Nat Adderley, Reunald Jones, Ernie Royal, Clark Terry, Billy Byers, Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Rehak, Don Butterfield, Dick Katz, René Thomas and Roy Haynes, the album was conducted by Ernie Wilkins.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Ken Dryden states: "Big Brass is an appropriate name for the large ensemble arranged and conducted by Ernie Wilkins that accompanies the huge sound of Sonny Rollins.... Also added to this compilation are trio recordings with bassist Henry Grimes and drummer Specs Wright, including a brilliant leisurely stroll through 'Manhattan,' along with Rollins' tour de force unaccompanied tenor sax on 'Body and Soul'. Another bonus is the presence of four tracks recorded at the Music Inn with three-quarters of the Modern Jazz Quartet."