Class of '78 is a big band jazz album recorded by Buddy Rich in 1977. Originally released by Century Records as a "direct-to-disc" LP album Limited Edition, it was widely released in 1978, and re-issued on Compact Disc as The Greatest Drummer That Ever Lived with "The Best Band I Ever Had".
Reception DownBeat assigned the album 4 stars. Reviewer Chuck Berg wrote, The ride cymbal sizzles, the hi-hat pops and the snare drum snaps. The bass drum, however, booms, booms, booms . . . the disc comes very close to putting you right at ringside. Aside from Buddy's bravura breaks and fills, there are fine solo spots by tenor/soprano saxman Steve Marcus, tenorist Gary Pribek, trumpeter Dean Pratt and pianist Barry Keiner. The section work is precise and the ensembles swing with abandon.
Track listing LP side A: "Birdland" (Zawinul) – 6:46 "Bouncin' with Bud" (Powell) – 5:55 LP side B: "Cape Verdean Blues" (Silver) – 6:17 "Fiesta" (Corea) – 6:23 "Funk City Ola" (Mintzer) – 4:30
Personnel Buddy Rich – drums Alan Gauvin – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute Chuck Wilson – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute Steve Marcus – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone Gary Bribek – tenor saxophone, percussion (cowbell) Greg Smith – baritone saxophone, percussion (cabasa) Chuck Schmidt – trumpet Dean Pratt – trumpet John Marshall – trumpet Danny Hayes – trumpet Matt Johnson – trombone Dale Kirkland – trombone Edward Eby – bass trombone Barry Kiener – keyboards Tommy Warrington – bass
References
Great American Gramophone Company GADD 1030 Gryphon 781 (UK) DCC Compact Classics 606 (1990 CD retitled re-issue, The Greatest Drummer...) Class of '78 at discogs.com