Big Band of Brothers – A Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band (2-LP Peach Vinyl)
Read more about A Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band in our featured coverage from September 2019 on Relix.com.
Pressed on double vinyl, Big Band of Brothers reimagines Allman Brothers Band classics through a jazz big band lens, featuring arrangements that honor the originals while revealing the sophisticated compositional structures beneath the Southern rock surface. The project brings together jazz musicians and Allman Brothers family members to explore how songs like "Jessica," "Blue Sky," "Midnight Rider," and "Whipping Post" function as jazz compositions when stripped of distortion and electric power. This double LP release proves the Allman Brothers' material transcends genre boundaries—the melodies, harmonies, and improvisational frameworks work just as effectively with horn sections and upright bass as they do with dual lead guitars.
The big band arrangements emphasize the compositional sophistication that separated the Allman Brothers from jam bands who prioritized improvisation over structure. Dickey Betts' "Jessica" becomes a swinging instrumental showcase, "Blue Sky" reveals its melodic beauty through horn voicings, and "Whipping Post" demonstrates how its complex structure supports extended exploration regardless of instrumentation. The jazz musicians approach the material with reverence while bringing their own improvisational language, creating versions that honor the Allmans while establishing new interpretative possibilities. The production captures both the power of full big band arrangements and the space that allows soloists to shine.
What makes Big Band of Brothers valuable is how it proves the Allman Brothers' lasting impact extends beyond Southern rock and jam band genres. Their compositions work as jazz standards because they're built on solid melodic and harmonic foundations. For listeners who know the Allmans through their electric recordings, this jazz reinterpretation reveals the sophistication beneath the surface. The double vinyl format gives the arrangements room to breathe across four sides.
Double LP vinyl. Jazz big band arrangements of Allman Brothers classics. Features Allman family members and jazz musicians. Reveals compositional sophistication.