History

Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen formed the GRP All-Star Big Band in the late 1980s from artists on the roster for their record label, Grusin-Rosen Productions (GRP). The band featured top talent of the day, including bassist John Patitucci, pianist Kenny Kirkland, drummer Dave Weckl, trumpeters Arturo Sandoval and Randy Brecker, saxophonists Bob Mintzer, Ernie Watts, and Eric Marienthal, and trombonist George Bohanon. Though the band featured mainly progressive jazz players, and even some more pop-oriented players like Marienthal and Tom Scott, the arrangements focused on standards like Airegin, Sister Sadie, and Seven Steps to Heaven. However, Grusin enlisted arrangers like Michael Abene and Vince Mendoza, who put twists on these classic songs. The band only lasted a short while, but in that time frame produced several enjoyable recordings like their self-titled 1992 album, and their 1993 live album.