First Prize
Studio album by George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band
Released	1989
Recorded	May 7 & 8, 1989
Studio	Radio DRS Studio 7, Zurich, Switzerland
Genre	Jazz
Length	51:02
Label	Enja ENJ 6004
Producer	Matthias Winckelmann
George Gruntz chronology
Happening Now! (1988) First Prize (1989) Serious Fun (1990)

First Prize is an album by pianist and composer George Gruntz's Concert Jazz Band, which was recorded in Switzerland in 1989 and released on Enja Records.^[1][2]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow stated "This is a particularly fun outing ... both complex and full of wit and color. ... there is plenty of variety and many brilliant moments. George Gruntz's 18-piece group was one of the finest of the period, and this sometimes-eccentric CD is a perfect introduction to his music".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by George Gruntz except where noted

1. "So Easy" (Larry Schneider) – 8:09
2. "Gorby-Chief" – 11:25
3. "Speaking of Love" – 7:47
4. "Trance-Figurations" (Franco Ambrosetti) – 5:42
5. "Amnesty" – 8:08
6. "E.B.S.B.M.O." (Kenny Wheeler) – 9:18
7. "Band Switch" – 7:18
8. "Fishin' With Gramps" (Ray Anderson) – 5:16

Personnel

• George Gruntz – piano, arranger
• Franco Ambrosetti – trumpet, flugelhorn
• Stanton Davis – trumpet, flugelhorn
• Mike Mossman – trumpet, flugelhorn
• Manfred Schoof – trumpet, flugelhorn
• Marvin Stamm – trumpet, flugelhorn
• Sharon Freeman – French horn
• Tom Varner – French horn
• David Bargeron – euphonium
• Joe Daley – euphonium
• Howard Johnson – tuba, bass clarinet
• Chris Hunter – flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone
• Ernst-Ludwig Petrowski – flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone
• Bob Malach – flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
• Larry Schneider – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
• Vinny Golia – baritone saxophone, bass flute
• Mike Richmond – bass
• Adam Nussbaum – drums

References