John D. Stephens

Most Pleasant Surprise! That would have to be John Stephens' BIG Bluzzz Band, perhaps because I wasn't expecting much from it. As it turns out, the Bluzz Band's set was surprisingly charming with sharp readings of "Take the 'A' Train," "Mood Indigo," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," "Witchcraft," Gerald Wilson's "Viva Tirado" (Stephens was a longtime member of Wilson's reed section) and drummer Paul Kreibich's showcase, "The Brush Off" (Composed by Buddy Collette)