Quincy Jones & Sammy Nestico: Masters of Big Band and Jazz Arrangement

Quincy Jones and Sammy Nestico represent a legendary partnership in American big band and jazz orchestration. Their collaborative work, primarily for the Count Basie Orchestra, produced some of the most swinging and meticulously crafted albums in the genre's history.

Early career

Quincy Jones, born in 1933 in Chicago, began his career as a trumpeter and arranger, working with icons like Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie before becoming a vice president at Mercury Records. Sammy Nestico, born in 1924 in Pittsburgh, honed his craft as an arranger for the United States Marine Band and later for television, building a reputation for his clean, powerful writing style.

Breakthrough

The collaboration truly ignited in the late 1970s when Jones, producing for Basie, brought in Nestico's charts. Their 1978 album Count Basie and the Kansas City 7 was a critical success, but it was the subsequent big band albums that cemented their legacy. The 1980 album On the Road, arranged by Nestico and produced by Jones, became a staple and won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band.

Key tracks

Wind Machine — This Nestico original became a signature tune for the Basie band, showcasing driving rhythms and explosive brass.

Basie-Straight Ahead — The title track from the 1968 album arranged by Nestico marked the beginning of his transformative era with the orchestra.

The Witching Hour — A quintessential Jones-Nestico collaboration, highlighting dynamic contrasts and sleek section work.

Splanky — Another Nestico classic that remains a jazz education standard for its impeccable swing feel.

Their partnership continued to yield Grammy-winning results, including for the 1985 album 88 Basie Street. While Jones's unparalleled career expanded into pop production and film scoring, and Nestico authored essential arranging textbooks, their shared work for Basie stands as a pinnacle of big band artistry.

For fans of tight brass sections and sophisticated swing, explore similar artists featured on our site. Count Basie led the legendary orchestra that brought these charts to life. Gordon Goodwin carries the modern big band torch with complex, high-energy compositions. Thad Jones offers another brilliant perspective on jazz arrangement and ensemble writing. Maynard Ferguson delivered powerful, high-note big band jazz with a bold sound.

The music of Quincy Jones and Sammy Nestico maintains a permanent rotation on dedicated jazz radio stations and big band programs featured on this website. Their timeless arrangements are fixtures on stations specializing in classic jazz, ensuring new generations discover their masterful work.

You can hear the iconic big band sounds of Quincy Jones and Sammy Nestico on radio stations available on onairium.com, where their sophisticated arrangements continue to define the gold standard for swing.