Al Grey - Grey's Mood

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:30
Size: 124.8 MB
Styles: Bop, Trombone jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[5:05] 1. Face It Here It Is
[5:06] 2. Night Train
[3:14] 3. Catch up with that (Take 2)
[3:29] 4. Solitude
[6:21] 5. Grey's Mood
[2:56] 6. Drums On Chris
[7:04] 7. Bedroom Eyes
[6:33] 8. Something For Grey
[2:23] 9. Shufflin' In Orange's Arenes
[8:50] 10. Mellow For Love
[3:24] 11. Catch up with that (Take 1)

This excellent set (last available as a Classic Jazz LP) features Al Grey on two sessions in peak form. The trombonist is the lead voice in an octet for four numbers that also feature tenorman Hal Singer, and he joins forces with tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest (they were both in Count Basie's band at the time) in a quintet also including pianist Tommy Flanagan for three other tunes. Grey wrote six of the seven numbers, all but one of which are blues. Grey and Forrest would soon leave Basie and team up on a regular basis until the tenor's death. Accessible and swinging music.By Scott Yanow

Grey's Mood

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Al Grey & Arnett Cobb - Ain't That Funk For You

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:03
Size: 105.4 MB
Styles: Bop, Trombone jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[5:10] 1. On The Trail
[3:45] 2. Saint Louis Blues
[5:06] 3. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
[3:43] 4. A Familiar Song
[6:11] 5. Blues Abrupt
[6:03] 6. Ain't That Funk For You
[5:33] 7. Get It Going For Black And Bue
[4:24] 8. On The Trail
[6:04] 9. Blues Abrupt

As the sixties drew to a close, Jean-Marie Monestier and Jean-Pierre Tahmazian discovered the whereabouts of the last living classical jazz musicians. They decided to bring them to France, out of the anonymity into which forgetfulness had plunged them. With the applause of the concert audience still ringing in their ears, these musicians then recorded some of their most beautiful music for Black & Blue. Jean-Michel Proust and Jean-Marc Fritz who were aware of their historical value, listened to these treasures. The result was “The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions”.

Al Grey (tb), Arnett Cobb (ts), Ray Bryant (p), John Duke (b), J.C. Heard (d). Recorded on July 11, 1977 at Grande Parade du Jazz in Nice, France. Digitally remastered.

Ain't That Funk For You

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Dianne Reeves - The Grand Encounter

Styles: Vocal Jazz 
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:26
Size: 116,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. Old Country
(3:23)  2. Cherokee
(8:12)  3. Besame Mucho
(3:46)  4. Let Me Love You
(4:54)  5. Tenderly
(6:06)  6. After Hours
(3:27)  7. Ha!
(5:24)  8. Some Other Spring
(5:08)  9. Side By Side
(4:59) 10. I'm Okay

This CD could have been titled Finally! Dianne Reeves has long had the potential to be the top female jazz singer, but so many of her previous recordings were erratic as she skipped back and forth between idioms without committing herself. However, after years of flirting with jazz and being seemingly undecided whether she would rather be a pop star, she at last came out with a full jazz album in 1996, and it is a gem. The supporting cast on the ten selections (which feature different personnel on each cut) is remarkable and everyone gets a chance to play: trumpeters Clark Terry and Harry "Sweets" Edison, altoists Phil Woods and Bobby Watson, tenorman James Moody, trombonist Al Grey, harmonica great Toots Thielemans (on "Besame Mucho"), pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and drummer Herlin Riley.

In addition, Joe Williams shares the vocal spotlight on "Let Me Love You" and a touching version of "Tenderly," Germaine Bazzle sings along with Reeves on "Side by Side," and a rendition of Charlie Ventura's "Ha!" has a vocal group consisting of Reeves, Bazzle, Terry, Moody, and the young Kimberley Longstreth. Other highlights include Nat Adderley's "Old Country," "Some Other Spring," and "Cherokee." Despite the heavy "competition," the leader emerges as the star of the set due to her beautiful voice and highly expressive singing. This highly recommended CD is the Dianne Reeves release to get. By Scott Yanow
https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-grand-encounter-mw0000081516

Personnel: Vocals – Dianne Reeves, Germaine Bazzle, Joe Williams , Kimberley Longstreth; Vocals, Tenor Saxophone – James Moody; Vocals, Trumpet – Clark Terry ; Alto Saxophone – Bobby Watson , Phil Woods; Bass – Rodney Whitaker; Drums – Herlin Riley; Harmonica – Toots Thielemans; Piano – Kenny Barron; Trombone – Al Grey ; Trumpet – Harry "Sweets" Edison

The Grand Encounter

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Milt Hinton - Old Man Time (2-Disc Set)

Recording Period: March 28, 1989 - March 27, 1990, Englewood, New Jersey. Milt Hinton (bass, vocals), Ralph Sutton, Derek Smith, Red Richards, John Bunch, Norman Simmons (piano), Danny Barker (guitar, vocals), Al Casey (guitar), Bob Rosengarden, Gus Johnson, Gerryck King, Jackie Williams, Jimmy Ford (drums). Additional guest artists: Eddie Barefield (alto & tenor saxophones), Doc Cheatham (trumpet), Al Grey (trombone), Flip Phillips (clarinet).

This double-CD set gave bassist Milt Hinton an opportunity to engage in reunions with many of his old friends from the 1930s. The seven sessions were compiled during a 12-month period and the results are often delightful. The opening "Old Man Time" is sung by Hinton himself, and it is both insightful and humorous. The other highlights include Joe Williams singing "Four or Five Times" (which features some very rare Flip Phillips clarinet), three bass guitar duets with Danny Barker, appearances by Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Al Grey, Ralph Sutton, and the formation of a group called "The Survivors" that has guitarist Al Casey at age 75 being the youngest member; the latter band also includes 85-year-old trumpeter Doc Cheatham, Eddie Barefield, Buddy Tate and even Cab Calloway. A lot of storytelling takes place during the songs and, in addition to the 92½ minutes of music, there are two "Jazzspeaks." The 13-minute one features Hinton, Calloway, Cheatham and Barefield reminiscing about their experiences in the early days, while a marvelous 45-minute monologue by the bassist covers most of his long and productive life and is consistently fascinating. Highly recommended. ~Scott Yanow

Album: Old Man Time (Disc 1)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 75:37

Size: 173.1 MB

Styles: Contemporary jazz

Year: 1990

[ 4:41] 1. Old Man Time

[ 3:26] 2. Time After Time

[ 4:34] 3. Sometimes I'm Happy

[ 1:55] 4. A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight

[ 5:09] 5. Four Or Five Times

[ 4:21] 6. Now's The Time

[ 6:20] 7. Time On My Hands

[ 5:18] 8. Heart Of My Heart

[ 2:55] 9. I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None O' This Jelly Roll

[ 2:40] 10. Mama Don't Allow

[ 7:25] 11. Girl Of My Dreams

[ 9:47] 12. This Time It's Us

[ 3:52] 13. Good Time Charlie

[13:09] 14. Jazzspeak, No. 1

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Album: Old Man Time (Disc 2)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 73:12

Size: 167.6 MB

Styles: Contemporary jazz

Year: 1990

Art: Front

[ 4:23] 1. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

[ 5:06] 2. Blue Skies

[ 3:42] 3. Slap Happy

[ 9:13] 4. The Yellow Front

[ 5:48] 5. Bloody Mary

[ 1:57] 6. Milt's Rap

[43:01] 7. Jazzspeak #2

Old Man Time (Disc 1) (Disc 2)

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Ed Wiley, Jr. - Sassy

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:45
Size: 135,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:15)  1. Room 608
(5:28)  2. Stretchin' Out
(4:07)  3. Sassy
(6:41)  4. Little Girl Blue
(4:50)  5. Lazarus
(8:29)  6. No Greater Love
(3:08)  7. Max The Maximum
(4:17)  8. Billy Boy
(5:13)  9. Do You Know A Good Thing When You See One?
(4:51) 10. Blues For Duane
(2:20) 11. Here, There And Everywhere
(4:00) 12. Sassy - (Alternate Take)

One of the tracks on Sassy, the Lennon-McCartney tune “Here, There and Everywhere,” says much about Ed Wiley’s fourth release for Swing Records. The album was compiled from three sessions recorded between 1999 and 2000 in Brooklyn, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and mixed in two Washington, D. C., studios. Not surprisingly the results are uneven. To Wiley’s credit, the one constant is his big, soulful Texas tenor. The other constants, despite an occasional clash of styles, include the adventurous minds of trumpeter Nicolas Payton, pianist Sir Roland Hanna and guitarist Mark Whitfield. Compare styles in the two versions of the title tune-a truly sassy line-that Wiley wrote in honor of Sarah Vaughan. B-3 organist Joey DeFrancesco propels the first version, while the second, lower and slower, relies on Whitfield’s guitar, but that soul-filled, down-home cushion is missing. Elsewhere, “Room 608,” a tricky bop line by Horace Silver, finds alto player Donald Harrison stealing some of the thunder from Wiley. 

It’s not meant to be a cutting session; Wiley is consistently generous with stretch-out room for his sidemen. “Lazarus” is interesting in that it begins with solos and ends with the written head for the ensemble. Included in four front lines is trombonist Al Grey, but he solos only on “No Greater Love.” Good to hear his Vic Dickenson inspired humor, but also bittersweet: he died before the CD was released. Overall, Wiley can be proud of this release, but he shouldn’t stray too far from his roots. ~ Harvey Siders https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/ed-wiley-jr-sassy/

Personnel: Ed Wiley Jr. - tenor saxophone; Roland Hanna - piano; Paul Bollenback - guitar; Al Grey - trombone; Nicholas Payton - trumpet; Donald Harrison - alto saxophone; Carl Allen - drums; Davey Yarborough - tenor saxophone.

Sassy

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Count Basie - Basie Meets Bond

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:35
Size: 94,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:01)  1. 007
(3:45)  2. The Golden Horn
(3:37)  3. Girl Trouble
(2:26)  4. Kingston Calypso
(4:06)  5. Goldfinger
(4:02)  6. Thunderball
(4:15)  7. From Russia With Love
(3:58)  8. Dr. No's Fantasy
(3:38)  9. Underneath The Mango Tree
(3:49) 10. The James Bond Theme
(3:54) 11. Dr. No's Fantasy - First Version

Leave it to one of the most swinging big bands of its time to make a silk purse out of a cow’s ear. Visiting themes from James Bond movies, arrangers Chico O’Farrill and George Williams craft hip and bristling versions of what might appear to be less than complimentary pieces for jazz exploration. But then O’Farrill was a master writer and he proved that this Bond thing wasn’t just a fluke when a year later in 1966 he helped to develop the catchy Basie's Beatles Bag. With its low sputtering bones and lively cowbell taps, “Kingston Calypso” is typical of the transformation with strains of “Three Blind Mice” worked in just for fun. “Dr. No’s Fantasy” gets things blaring from the git-go as drummer Sonny Payne’s swaggering backbeat pushes further and further, Basie injecting those sparse few notes here and there with characteristic élan.

And those are just two highlights among many, not to mention the boisterous and characteristic statements of tenor man Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. Originally issued on the United Artists label, Basie Meets Bond can be recommended without reservation despite what might seem like the misguided intentions of some marketing exec. ~ C.Andrew Hovan https://www.allaboutjazz.com/basie-meets-bond-count-basie-capitol-records-review-by-c-andrew-hovan.php?width=1920

Personnel: Count Basie (piano); Al Aarons, Sonny Cohn, Wallace Davenport, Phil Guilbeau (trumpets); Henderson Chambers, Al Grey, Grover Mitchell (trombones); Bill Hughes (bass trombone); Marshall Royal (alto saxophone); Bobby Plater (alto saxophone & flute); Eric Dixon (tenor saxophone & flute); Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor saxophone);Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophone & bass clarinet); Freddie Green (guitar); Norman Keenen(bass); Sonny Page (drums) 

Basie Meets Bond

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Count Basie & His Orchestra - Basie's Beatle Bag

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:24
Size: 86,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:14)  1. Help
(3:20)  2. Can't Buy Me Love
(2:42)  3. Michelle
(3:19)  4. I Wanna Be Your Man
(2:58)  5. Do You Want To Know A Secret
(4:21)  6. A Hard Day's Night
(2:58)  7. All My Loving
(3:03)  8. Yesterday
(2:49)  9. And I Love Her
(2:43) 10. Hold Me Tight
(2:53) 11. She Loves You
(3:59) 12. Kansas City

Many recording artists covered The Beatles in the '60s; even their own producer, George Martin, released George Martin Instrumentally Salutes The Beatle Girls (One Way, 1966). Pianist/bandleader Count Basie recorded two albums of Beatles tunes in that decade: Basie's Beatles Bag (Verve, 1966) and Basie On The Beatles (Happy Tiger, 1969). Both discs contain vital versions of John Lennon/Paul McCartney classics, but Basie's Beatles Bag is rawer and more cohesive. Arranged by Chico O'Farrill, it selects some of the more rough and ready Beatles songs, back to "Hold Me Tight" and "I Wanna Be Your Man," from With The Beatles (EMI, 1963). Revealing much about the tunes themselves, the album is also a fun party album. The faster hits are there, such as "Help," "A Hard Day's Night" and "Can't Buy Me Love," but the arrangement of "Do You Want To Know A Secret" shows the pure swing era influence in its writing. With its beautiful Johnny Hodges-style saxophone solo, it is far superior to The Beatles' version. "Michelle," also, has the authentic Basie touch, his piano evoking his '30s-era band.

The strong R&B origins of "Hold Me Tight" are clear here, its great back beat making it one of the album's most fruitful recreations. O'Farrill throws elements of Nelson Riddle into "I Wanna Be Your Man" and "All My Loving," his gifted understanding of the music also giving saxophonist Charlie Fowlkes a baritone part on "And I Love Her" (a very imaginative touch). "All My Loving" shows, however, that guitarist Freddie Green was no match for George Harrison's soloing capabilities. Instrumentally daring, the grooving Basie's Beatles Bag casts new light on some classic songs, reveling in the rawer bluesy, swing and R&B roots of The Beatles' music. ~ AAJ Staff  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/basies-beatles-bag-count-basie-verve-music-group-review-by-aaj-staff.php

Personnel: Al Aarons: trumpet; Sonny Cohn: trumpet; Wallace Davenport: trumpet; Phil Guilbeau: trumpet; Henderson Chambers: trombone; Al Grey: trombone; Grover Mitchell: trombone; Bill Hughes: bass trombone; Marshall Royal: alto saxophone, clarinet; Bobby Plater alto saxophone, flute; Eddy Davis: tenor saxophone; Charlie Fowlkes: flute, baritone saxophone; Freddie Greene: guitar; Norman Keenan: bass; Sonny Payne: drums; Chico O'Farrill: arranger; Bill Henderson: vocal (8).

Basie's Beatle Bag

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Al Grey - The Last Of The Big Plungers

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 67:50
Size: 155.3 MB
Styles: Trombone jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:42] 1. Thing's Ain't What They Used To Be
[4:48] 2. Open Wider, Please
[3:17] 3. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
[3:06] 4. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
[2:30] 5. Home Come You Do Me Like You Do
[3:08] 6. Bluish Grey
[5:13] 7. The Elder
[3:35] 8. Bewitched
[6:04] 9. Kenie-Konie
[5:49] 10. Salty Papa
[2:21] 11. Don't Cry Baby
[5:27] 12. Stranded
[2:03] 13. Tenderly
[3:43] 14. Rompin'
[5:37] 15. King Bee
[2:31] 16. When I Fall In Love
[4:49] 17. Al-Lamo

Tracks #1-9 from the album "The Last Of The Big Plungers" (Argo LP 653). Al Grey Octet: Joe Newman (tp), Al Grey, Benny Powell (tb), Billy Mitchell (ts), Charlie Fowlkes (bs), Floyd Morris (p), Ed Jones (b) and Sonny Payne (d). Recorded at Ter-Mar Recording Studios, Chicago, September 25 & 28, 1959.

Tracks #10-17 from the album "The Thinking Man's Trombone" (Argo LP 677). Al Grey Nonet: Joe Newman (tp), Al Grey, Benny Powell (tb); Billy Mitchell (ts), Charlie Fowlkes (bs); Freddie Green (g), Billy Higgins (p), Ed Jones (b) and Sonny Payne (d). Recorded at Ter-Mar Recording Studios, Chicago, August 23,24 & 25, 1960.

These two albums, under the leadership of trombonist Al Grey, were recorded while he was a member of Count Basie’s band. With the exception of the pianists, the men assembled to play in these sessions were all well known Basie-ites. All the charts share a spare, functional approach ideal for the three brass-two saxes instrumentation. The arrangements delve cleanly and right to the heart of swinging. Grey, famed for his plunger mute work, plays vigorously and inventively.

Both groups—an octet and a nonet—display that warm, moving blues feeling that characterized the Basie band, with all the soloists blowing with sure-footed intensity alongside the tastefully swinging leader.

The Last Of The Big Plungers

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Al Grey - Ya Dig ?

Styles: Trombone Jazz
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:05
Size: 177,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:00) 1. Something's Got a Hold on Me
(5:23) 2. Stardust
(2:58) 3. I Don't Want to Cry
(5:40) 4. King Bee
(4:14) 5. Through for the Night
(4:52) 6. Al-Amo
(3:32) 7. Stand by Me
(6:09) 8. Stella by Starlight
(4:48) 9. Boss Tina
(4:29) 10. Night and Day
(5:11) 11. Stone Crazy
(4:23) 12. African Lady
(4:54) 13. The Way You Look Tonight
(2:56) 14. Laughing Tonight
(3:49) 15. Deep Fried
(3:20) 16. Nothing but the Truth
(5:19) 17. Blues in the Night

Al Grey's trademark phrases and often humorous use of the plunger mute long made him quite distinctive. After getting out of the service, he was with the orchestras of Benny Carter (1945-1946), Jimmie Lunceford (1946-1947), Lucky Millinder, and Lionel Hampton (off and on during 1948-1953). Grey was a well-featured soloist with the classic Dizzy Gillespie globetrotting orchestra during 1956-1957 (taking an exciting solo at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival on a blazing version of "Cool Breeze"). He was with Count Basie's orchestra on three separate occasions (1957-1961, 1964-1966, and 1971-1977), led a band with Billy Mitchell in the early '60s, and had a group with Jimmy Forrest after leaving Basie in 1977. In later years, Grey performed and recorded often with Clark Terry, made a CD with the Statesmen of Jazz, and for a time led a quintet that featured his son Mike Grey on second trombone. Al Grey recorded as a leader for Argo (1959-1964), Tangerine, Black & Blue, Stash, Chiaroscuro, and Capri, and co-led an excellent Pablo date in 1983 with J.J. Johnson. He died of complications from diabetes on March 24, 2000.~Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/al-grey-mn0000931891/biography

Personnel: Al Grey - trombone; David Burns - trumpet; Bobby Hutcherson - vibraphone; Hugh Lawson - piano; Calvin Newborne - guitar; Herman Wright - bass; Otis Finch - drums

Ya Dig ?

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John Hicks - Friends Old and New

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:11
Size: 117,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:54)  1. Hicks Tone
(5:56)  2. I Want to Talk About You
(5:00)  3. Bop Scotch
(6:32)  4. True Blue
(6:43)  5. It Don't Mean a Thing
(7:29)  6. Nutty
(6:25)  7. Makin' Whoopee
(5:08)  8. Rosetta

'92 session with pianist John Hicks playing in various combo settings with some excellent musical associates. Bassist Ron Carter, tenor saxophone dynamo Joshua Redman, trumpeter Clark Terry, trombonist Al Grey, and drummer/vocalist Grady Tate are among the friends who join Hicks for some powerhouse numbers.~ Ron Wynn https://www.allmusic.com/album/friends-old-and-new-mw0000611938  

Personnel:  John Hicks – piano;  Greg Gisbert – trumpet;  Clark Terry – trumpet;  Al Grey – trombone;  Joshua Redman – tenor sax;   Ron Carter – bass;  Grady Tate – drums

Friends Old and New

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Al Grey - Matzoh And Grits

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:46
Size: 134.6 MB
Styles: Trombone jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[7:51] 1. Exactly My Sentiments
[4:49] 2. Grey Rose Shores
[7:33] 3. A Day In The Life Of A Fool
[4:50] 4. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
[6:09] 5. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
[4:10] 6. Matzoh And Grits
[2:51] 7. Cotton Tail
[2:53] 8. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
[4:36] 9. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
[5:48] 10. My Romance
[7:11] 11. Caravan

Al Grey: leader, trombone, vocal on "Cotton Tail"; Randolph Noel: piano; Cleve Guyton: alto, flute; Joe Cohn: guitar; J.J. Wiggins: bass; Bobby Durham: drums.

"Exactly My Sentiments" is a good start to this new release by Al Grey’s group. Randolph Noel on piano wrote the tune and he does shine on it. Most musicians do their best on tunes they write; this tune is no exception. Joe Cohn gives a spirited performance on this tune and "A Day in the Life of a Fool." Everyone gets a chance to show their stuff on "Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid," especially Cleve Guyton on alto after an intro by Cohn, then Al plunges in with some of the tricks he does with the trombone.

"Matzoh and Grits" is an original by Al and he really shows you that his trombone and group can produce a rhythm that is contagious. "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" belongs to Joe Cohn, who is fast becoming one of our top guitarists. His unique creative ability is coming into its own, and it is no longer necessary to make a point of his musical upbringing. Randy Noel is featured on "My Romance" and he does give an expressive reading which would capture any audience. "Caravan" starts off with Al who gives it a mysterious aura that is then continued by the rhythm section.

Al is a national treasure because of his long history of graceful performances with groups, vocalists, and his artistic work with the trombone. He still teaches his techniques with the plunger and using his hand and fingers to give his solos a special flavor, but until his students learn to use his methods, we should know that he is the last of the creative trombonists still active. ~Arthur C. Bourassa

Matzoh And Grits mc
Matzoh And Grits zippy

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Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Al Grey - Jazz At The Philharmonic (Remastered)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:44
Size: 111.6 MB
Styles: Bop, Soul-jazz
Year: 1983/1995
Art: Front

[10:15] 1. I'm Just A Lucky So And So
[ 5:16] 2. I May Be Wrong
[ 4:16] 3. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
[ 4:35] 4. Stompin' At The Savoy
[ 3:58] 5. EdTime After Time
[ 5:56] 6. Secret Love
[ 4:05] 7. It Could Happen To You
[10:19] 8. Slow Drag

Despite its title, this Pablo album is not a reunion of Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic although it does seek to recreate some of the original spirit of the 1950s organized jam sessions. Tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis heads the swinging sextet which also includes trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, trombonist Al Grey, Art Hillery on piano and organ, bassist John Heard and drummer Roy McCurdy. "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" and "Slow Drag" are given lengthy interpretations (both are around ten minutes apiece) while six other familiar standards are more concise. Nothing all that unusual occurs but there are some fiery moments from the classic swing stylists. ~Scott Yanow

Jazz At The Philharmonic (Remastered)

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Al Grey, Isauro Hernández, Wallace Davenport - Jam Session Goes Latin

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:23
Size: 74.2 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[6:38] 1. Manteca
[4:55] 2. The Girl From Ipanema
[4:34] 3. Makin' Whoopee
[3:31] 4. What A Difference A Day Makes
[3:05] 5. What Kind Of Fool Am I
[6:27] 6. Lover Man
[3:10] 7. Miami Latin Beat

Bass: Wyatt Ruther; Conga Drums: Isauro Hernández; Drums : Rufus Jones; Piano: Noahwell Cruz; Sax & Flute: Bobby Platter; Singer: Ricardo Reyes; Trombone: Al Grey; Trumpet: Wallace Davenport.

Al Gray served in some of the most renowned jazz formations of the 40s and 50s, from Bennie Carter, Jimmie Lunceford, and Lionel Hampton to the energetic orchestras of Dizzy Gillespie or Count Basie. Al Gray also led some adventures, along with saxophonists Bruce Mitchell and Jimmy Forrest, and in recent years appeared alongside venerable musicians such as Buddy Tate or endorsing his son Mike, trombonist like him.

The laughing Al Gray was fundamental to the gestation of the bebop in the 40, endowing the rigid trombone with the energy and vividness that had imposed Charlie Parker with his style. Al Gray is undoubtedly one of the best trombonists of the "middle ages" of jazz, both because of the strong vibrations that bring his instrument, and because of the wealth of musical ideas, always very concentrated in the essential, exempt phrasing Of rhetoric. In fact, Al Gray made his debut with the Benny Carter Orchestra in 1945, and this circumstance allowed him to demonstrate from the beginning his qualities as a soloist, thanks to Carter who granted much space to the musicians of his band. This made certain natural qualities in Gray were refined, which together with his strong attack and an innate rhythmic sensitivity in the field of "swing" made him a very interesting musician. With Carter he used the excellent arrangements of this one. (Translated from Spanish.)

Jam Session Goes Latin

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Al Grey - Snap Your Fingers

Styles: Trombone Jazz

Year: 1962

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 41:43

Size: 96,0 MB

Art: Front

(3:20)  1. Nothing But The Truth

(5:23)  2. Three-Fourth Blues

(2:57)  3. Just Waiting

(4:58)  4. R. B. Q.

(4:19)  5. Green Dolphin Street

(6:50)  6. Minor On Top

(4:29)  7. African Lady

(9:22)  8. Hi Fly

Trombonist Al Grey is joined by emerging young tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell on this pair of 1962 sessions, which were originally issued as an Argo LP and finally reissued on a limited-edition CD by Verve in 2003. The first five tracks also feature trumpeter Dave Burns and obscure pianist Floyd Morris. "Nothing But the Truth" is smoldering up-tempo blues with a bit of a gospel flavor, while Morris gets into the groove of the mid-tempo "Three-Fourth Blues." Mitchell especially shines on Melba Liston's soulful ballad "Just Waiting." The three tracks from the earlier session feature Donald Byrd on trumpet and Herbie Hancock on piano. Also here is the slashing hard bop composition "Minor on Top." Another Liston piece, "African Lady," is complex and showcases Grey's sensitive solo. There's not a bad track on this recommended CD.~Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/snap-your-fingers-mw0000600174

Personnel: Al Grey (trombone); Billy Mitchell (tenor saxophone); Dave Burns (trumpet); Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone); Floyd Morris, Herbie Hancock (piano); Herman Wright (bass); Eddie Williams (drums).

Snap Your Fingers

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Buddy Tate, Al Grey - Just Jazz

Styles: Clarinet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:11
Size: 110,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:10)  1. Just Jazz
(6:24)  2. Blues In My Heart
(6:33)  3. Straighten Up And Fly Right
(6:52)  4. Topsy
(6:07)  5. Blue Creek
(6:27)  6. Tangerine
(5:20)  7. Straighten Up And Fly Right (alternate)
(5:16)  8. Just Jazz (alternate)

Tenor-saxophonist Buddy Tate (who also contributes a bit of clarinet) blends in perfectly with trombonist Al Grey on this swinging quintet session. With pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Major Holley and drummer Al Harewood completing the group, Tate and Grey perform on original apiece and four veteran standards; the CD reissue adds two alternate takes. Both Tate and Grey were in their late prime at the time and the highpoints include Grey's title cut, "Straight Up And Fly Right," "Topsy" and "Tangerine." ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/just-jazz-mw0000665553

Personnel: Buddy Tate (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Al Grey (trombone); Richard Wyands (piano); Al Harewood (drums).

Just Jazz

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Al Grey-Jimmy Forrest Quintet - Night Train Revisited

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:41
Size: 141.2 MB
Styles: Bop, Trombone jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[6:36] 1. Jumpin' The Blues
[5:30] 2. Truly Wonderful
[6:15] 3. I Can't Get Started
[8:41] 4. Salty Papa
[5:54] 5. Blues Everywhere
[5:04] 6. Night Train
[6:45] 7. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
[7:31] 8. Body And Soul
[4:17] 9. C.B. And Me
[5:02] 10. Milestones

The Al Grey-Jimmy Forrest Quintet lived a short, somewhat cantankerous, though fruitful life, leaving a small legacy of some outstanding small group jazz. This recording captures the group live at the Chicago club, Rick's, in the late 1970s. Thankfully, the quality of the recording is superb, and the selections from the three-night stand fairly represent the sound and repertoire of the group. Both veterans, Grey and Forrest have rarely been as well documented on disc. The tunes are ones that both of these war horses could play in their sleep, yet there is a visceral excitement to it all that makes this recording so entertaining. Both horns stretch at length, and swing effortlessly. Al Grey sits out on "Body and Soul," while Forrest gives an emotionally charged classic rendition of the tune. The signature title piece, "Night Train," is performed with the sort of gritty down-home punch to be expected from these masters. The trombonist goes all out with his plunger on "Things What Ain't They Used to be," while "Milestones" (the Miles Davis tune) is played with a slight Latin beat. The rhythm section, especially including the talented Shirley Scott, swings solidly. Grey and Forrest have seldom sounded better, and this recording captures them at peak performance. ~Steve Loewy

Night Train Revisited

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Al Grey & Jesper Thilo Quintet - Al Grey And Jesper Thilo Quintet

Styles: Trombone Jazz, Bop
Year: 1987
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:18
Size: 105,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:28)  1. Just Jazz
(6:16)  2. God Bless The Child
(6:54)  3. The Girl From Ipanema
(5:11)  4. I'm Hungry, Sabrina
(7:15)  5. The Vanguard Groove
(7:17)  6. A Night In Tunisia
(6:55)  7. On The Sunny Side Of The Street

This studio session in which the great swing trombonist Al Grey leads a fine quintet through a set of mostly standards is exactly what journalist Eddie Cook calls "Happy Jazz" in the liner notes. Grey is right at home with tunes such as "God Bless the Child," "The Girl From Ipanema," and "A Night in Tunisia." The surprise of the session is "On the Sunny Side of the Street," which is played at a slow though compelling pace. Grey came to favor the tenor-bone front line in his small groups, and the Dane, saxophonist Jesper Thilo, does a commendable job as his partner. Thilo's thick, rich tone recalls Coleman Hawkins, a perfect foil to the trombonist's brash, brassy sound. While Grey's best work was performed as a big-band sideman, both with Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie, his excellent solo work here and in other intimate settings is nonetheless an important part of his discography. His unique tone and style are in full bloom, and this recording should appeal to anyone who enjoys the sound of the jazz trombone in a joyous, no frills, and straight-ahead role. ~ Steve Loewy  http://www.allmusic.com/album/al-grey-and-jesper-thilo-quintet-mw0000317923

Al Grey And Jesper Thilo Quintet

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Al Grey - Night Song

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:20
Size: 76,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:19)  1. Blues In The Night
(6:08)  2. Stella By Starlight
(4:52)  3. The Way You Look Tonight
(4:12)  4. Through For The Night
(5:22)  5. Stardust
(4:28)  6. Night And Day
(2:55)  7. Laughing Tonight

Trombonist Al Grey was famous as “the last of the big time plungers,” for his mastery at using a plumber's plunger to manipulate the color of his instrument. The result was a soulful quality that sounds as if he's singing the blues. Grey rose to prominence as a soloist and gifted accompanist to singers, particularly on bluesy numbers. His unique style developed over years spent playing with many great bands ” such as those of Lionel Hampton and Count Basie,” and his illustrious career spans some of the great periods in the history of jazz, including swing and bebop. Grey came from a musical family. His father, a multi-faceted musician himself, was determined to have young Al learn to play a brass instrument. As a child, Grey often resented being forced to practice, but soon realized its benefits by landing well-paying jobs. Later, while playing in the Navy band during World War II, Grey met trumpeter Clark Terry. The two became lifelong friends and would eventually play in various bands together. Grey joined Benny Carter's band right out of the Navy in 1946. Carter's innovative arrangements and driving swing served as an education for Grey. He also played with Jimmie Lunceford before joining Lionel Hampton's big band. 

It was with Hampton that he began experimenting with the plunger. Hampton noticed the trombonist's facility with the technique as Grey accompanied vocalist Sonny Parker one night, and insisted that Grey keep it as a permanent feature of the band. Dan Morgenstern of the Institute for Jazz Studies notes that jazz musicians often try to squeeze new sounds out of their instruments. This started as far back as King Oliver in New Orleans, who used to hold a child's sand pail in the bell of his trumpet. The plunger became recognized as a very effective device for such purposes. Trombonist Sam Nanton of Duke Ellington's band was recognized as a master plunger, but he died in 1947 without revealing the secrets to his own technique. From that point, Grey became the heir to the plunger tradition. After several years with Hampton, Grey played a year-long stint with Dizzy Gillespie's band, learning the language of bebop, and then joined Count Basie's orchestra in 1957.

Basie's emphasis was on simplicity, and he discouraged some of the fast-playing bebop elements Grey had recently developed. During the recording of “Making Whoopie,” Basie cautioned Grey against overplaying, saying “my goodness don't try to play all you know in one number.” But Grey's individual style meshed perfectly with Basie's orchestra, and “Making Whoopie” would become the trombonist's signature piece. Grey excelled at mixing little blues licks in among the phrases of singers with perfect timing and sensitivity. He honed this unique ability during his early years with the Basie orchestra. Before long, his colorful technique as an accompanist was highly prized among famous singers, including Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Eventually, Grey grew restless with the demands of playing in a large ensemble and left Basie's group to experiment with his solo style. Grey also developed a passion for teaching. 

He created a jazz summer camp in his hometown of Pottstown, Pa., where he recruited other jazz greats in to help him teach swing to high school students. Among them were drummer Max Roach, saxophonist Jimmy Heath and pianist Billy Taylor. Grey's students included accomplished professionals, such as Wynton and Delafayo Marsalis, whom he taught his famous plunger techniques. According to fellow Basie alumnus and tenor saxophonist Frank Foster, Grey made an immense contribution to the jazz trombone. “He played a great role in changing the conceptualization of the trombone as an instrument in jazz,” said Foster, adding that Grey revived and elaborated upon the plunger technique “and influenced lots of young players to get into it.” Fortunately, Grey understood the importance of passing his secrets on to younger trombonists, ensuring that this craft will maintain its place in jazz. Grey died on March 24, 2000. Bio ~ http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/algrey

Personnel:  Al Grey – trombone; Billy Mitchell - tenor sax; Dave Burns – trumpet; Bobby Hutcherson – vibraphone; Earl Washington – piano; Herman Wright – bass; Otis "Candy" Finch – drums; Philip Thomas - conga

Night Song

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Count Basie - The Complete Atomic Basie

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:47
Size: 130,8 MB
Art: Front

(2:41)  1. The Kid From Red Bank
(4:12)  2. Duet
(3:26)  3. After Supper
(3:23)  4. Flight Of The Foo Birds
(2:46)  5. Double-O
(3:19)  6. Teddy The Toad
(3:51)  7. Whirly-Bird
(4:28)  8. Midnite Blue
(3:36)  9. Splanky
(2:56) 10. Fantail
(4:50) 11. Li'l Darlin'
(4:05) 12. Silks And Satins
(3:36) 13. Sleepwalker's Serenade
(3:38) 14. Sleepwalker's Serenade (Bonustrack)
(2:51) 15. The Late Late Show (Bonustrack)
(3:02) 16. The Late Late Show (Vocal Version) Bonustrack

One of the reasons that some major labels love to license big chunks of their catalogs to smaller independent outfits for box set reissues is that they never know that those licensees will turn up in putting those sets together, and it all becomes fair game for the parent company. Thus, in 1994, a year after Mosaic unearthed five previously unissued tracks from the October 1957 sessions that yielded The Atomic Mr. Basie on Roulette, Capitol Records (which had acquired the Roulette library) issued this expanded version of the original album. The original 11 songs are here, remastered into proper mono (there was an impossible to listen to duophonic stereo master made at the time of release that was in circulation on LP for a time), along with five outtakes consisting of material written and arranged by Jimmy Mundy: the instrumentals "Silks and Satins," "Sleepwalker's Serenade" (two different takes), and "The Late Late Show" and a vocal version of the latter featuring Joe Williams. 

These were apparently part of a proposed Jimmy Mundy album that never got completed, and were forgotten; they fit in surprisingly well with the Neal Hefti arrangements comprised the original recording, and Joe Williams turns in some of the best work of his career on the vocal version of "The Late Late Show," a sultry, richly intoned performance that positively seduces the listener, with the band blowing beautifully behind him. ~ Bruce Eder  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-complete-atomic-basie-mw0000187806

Personnel: Count Basie (piano); Joe Williams (vocals); Wendell Culley, Snooky Young, Thad Jones, Joe Newman (trumpet); Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell (trombone); Marshall Royal, Frank Wess, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Frank Foster, Charles Fowlkes (reeds); Freddie Green (guitar); Eddie Jones (bass); Sonny Payne (drums).

The Complete Atomic Basie

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Al Grey - The New Al Grey Quintet

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 61:27
Size: 140.7 MB
Styles: Bop, Trombone jazz
Year: 1988/1995
Art: Front

[4:59] 1. Bluish Grey
[4:57] 2. Sonny's Tune
[6:04] 3. Don't Blame Me
[5:44] 4. Syrup And Bisquits
[5:16] 5. Taint No Use
[3:05] 6. Al's Rose
[2:19] 7. Night And Day
[5:41] 8. Call It Whatchawanna
[5:45] 9. Underdog
[3:21] 10. Stompin' At The Savoy
[4:14] 11. Al's Blues
[6:32] 12. Rue Prevail
[3:24] 13. Soap Gets In Your Eyes

Veteran trombonist Al Grey leads an unusual quintet on this set from 1988 that, in addition to drummer Bobby Durham, features the sons of Al Cohn (guitarist Joe Cohn), Gerald Wiggins (bassist J.J. Wiggins), and his own Mike Grey on second trombone. The two trombonists have similar sounds, with the elder Grey getting the bulk of the solos. The repertoire mixes together swing standards with lesser-known jazz tunes by Thad Jones, Sonny Stitt, Hank Mobley, Al Cohn, Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, and Al Grey himself. The relaxed straight-ahead music flows nicely and all of the musicians (other than Durham) have their opportunities to be featured. Worth searching for. ~Scott Yanow

The New Al Grey Quintet

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