East Coast Blowout is the title of the suite, written by American pianist and composer Jim McNeely for the WDR Big Band Cologne in 1989. McNeely became famous through his cooperation with the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra, Stan Getz and Phil Woods. Besides the WDR Big Band McNell also worked as arranger for the Metropole Orkest, the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra and the HR Big Band Frankfurt. As the main soloist of the suite the American guitarist John Scofield was engaged, who became known to a wider audience through his work with Miles Davis in the mid-80s and whose style has a formative influence on today's new guitarists. Marc Johnson plays the contrabass and Adam Nussbaum performs on the drums. This production has been celebrated by the press (aming others, it was awarded 5 stars in Downbeat Magazine). It is an outstanding Big Band production with John Scofield at his best.
