Benny Goodman and His Orchestra - The Sound of Music

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1959
Time: 35:08
Size: 80,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:22)  1. No Way To Stop It
(4:13)  2. Sixteen Going To Seventeen
(4:13)  3. So Long Farewell
(3:22)  4. Climb Ev'ry Mountain
(3:35)  5. The Sound Of Music
(4:40)  6. My Favorite Things
(4:14)  7. An Ordinary Couple
(3:23)  8. Maria
(4:02)  9. Do-Re-Mi

This release presents, for the first time on CD, Benny Goodman album devoted to the compositions of Rodgers & Hart's The Sound of Music (MGM SE3810). Performed by an all-star tentet featuring Jack Sheldon, Bill Harris, Flip Phillips and Red Norvo, it contains the first jazz version ever of My Favorite Things, taped nearly a year before John Coltrane's celebrated rendition. A live set by the exact same tentet recorded a week earlier (playing one of the tunes from The Sound of Music) has been added as a bonus.

Personnel: Benny Goodman, clarinet; Jack Sheldon, trumpet; Flip  Phillips, tenor sax; Bill Harris, tromboe; Jerry Dodgion, alto sax, flute; Red Norvo, vibes; Gene Di Novi, piano; Jimmy Wyble, guitar; Red Wootten, bass; John Markham (d).

The Sound of Music

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Woody Herman - Keeper Of The Flame

Styles: Clarinet, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:21
Size: 137,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:04)  1. That's Right
(2:52)  2. Lemon Drop
(3:14)  3. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
(3:07)  4. I Ain't Gettin' Any Younger
(3:12)  5. Early Autumn
(3:05)  6. More Than You Know
(3:03)  7. Keeper Of The Flame
(3:14)  8. The Crickets
(3:13)  9. More Moon
(3:11) 10. Detour Ahead
(3:12) 11. Jamaica Rhumba
(2:53) 12. Not Really The Blues
(2:57) 13. Tenderly
(2:42) 14. Lollipop
(2:37) 15. I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You
(3:13) 16. You've Got A Date with The Blues
(3:10) 17. Rhapsody In wood
(2:57) 18. The Great Lie
(3:14) 19. In The Beginning

Subtitled The Complete Capitol Recordings of the Four Brothers Band, this CD contains 19 selections from Herman's Second Herd, including three songs never before released. Top-heavy with major soloists (including trumpeters Red Rodney and Shorty Rogers; trombonist Bill Harris; tenors Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, and Gene Ammons; and vibraphonist Terry Gibbs; not to mention Herman himself), this boppish band may have cost the leader a small fortune but they created timeless music. Highlights include "Early Autumn" (a ballad performance that made Stan Getz a star), the riotous "Lemon Drop," and Gene Ammons' strong solo on "More Moon." 

~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/keeper-of-the-flame-the-complete-capitol-recordings-mw0000075785

Personnel:  Clarinet – Woody Herman;  Alto Saxophone – Sam Marowitz, Woody Herman;  Baritone Saxophone – Serge Chaloff;  Bass – Chubby Jackson (tracks: 1 to 7), Joe Mondragon (tracks: 13 to 19), Oscar Pettiford (tracks: 8 to 12);  Drums – Don Lamond (tracks: 1 to 7), Shelly Manne (tracks: 8 to 19);  Piano – Lou Levy;  Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn (tracks: 1 to 7), Buddy Savitt (tracks: 8 to 19), Gene Ammons (tracks: 8 to 19), Jimmy Giuffre (tracks: 8 to 19), Stan Getz (tracks: 1 to 7), Zoot Sims (tracks: 1 to 7);  Trombone – Bart Varsalona (tracks: 8 to 19), Bill Harris, Bob Swift (tracks: 1 to 7), Earl Swope, Ollie Wilson ; Trumpet – Al Porcino (tracks: 8 to 19), Bernie Glow (tracks: 1 to 7), Charlie Walp (tracks: 8 to 19), Ernie Royal, Red Rodney (tracks: 1 to 7), Shorty Rogers, Stan Fishelson;  Vibraphone – Terry Gibbs (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 19);  Vocals – Mary Ann McCall (tracks: 1 to 9), Woody Herman

Keeper Of The Flame

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Bill Harris -S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:37
Size: 70.1 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[1:32] 1. Cherokee
[2:33] 2. Moonglow
[3:01] 3. Out Of Nowhere
[2:44] 4. Ethyl
[2:46] 5. Possessed
[2:39] 6. Perdido
[1:49] 7. I Can't Get Started
[2:35] 8. Dreaming
[2:18] 9. K.C. Shuffle
[2:09] 10. Ivanhoe
[2:20] 11. Stompin' At The Savoy
[2:22] 12. Lover
[1:42] 13. Spring

A guitarist who spent at least two decades on the road with rhythm & blues vocal group the Clovers, Bill "Willie" Harris had a thick background in bebop and swing guitar as well as gospel. The latter style was at his fingertips even before he discovered guitarists such as Oscar Moore on records and radio, since Harris' father was a preacher who was in the position to turn the church organist job over to his offspring. Meanwhile, Harris' mother was drumming in basic harmony and an uncle had chipped in with a guitar, apparently to be the beauty move. The Army supplied a bugle that temporarily halted progress with strings attached, so to speak. Harris was discharged in the mid-'40s and promptly began studying guitar in Washington, D.C., becoming fairly good with both jazz and classical pieces. Harris was encouraged particularly in the classics by high-up staff at the Columbia School of Music, yet seems to have picked the Clovers due to a perceived scent of economic security. The choice, interestingly enough, still wound up leading to expanded musical horizons when fellow rhythm & blues and session guitarist Mickey Baker eavesdropped on a Harris dressing-room practice session and began pulling strings for what would be a series of releases under Harris' own name, such as the 1960 Great Guitar Sounds. The previous EmArcy Solo Guitar from 1956 is considered to be the first album of solo jazz guitar ever released. During the '70s, Harris operated Pigfoot, a Washington, D.C., restaurant, nightclub, and art gallery. ~bio by Eugene Chadbourne

Bill Harris mc
Bill Harris zippy

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Lionel Hampton, Oscar Peterson - Jazz Masters 26

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:50
Size: 148.4 MB
Styles: Vibraphone jazz, Swing
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[ 4:42] 1. Jam Blues
[ 7:58] 2. Always
[ 6:10] 3. Soft Winds
[ 9:54] 4. Star Dust
[ 6:29] 5. Je Ne Sais Pas
[10:10] 6. Tenderly
[ 6:20] 7. Hallelujah!
[ 7:08] 8. Sweethearts On Parade
[ 5:56] 9. Date With Oscar

Vibraphonist Lionel Hampton and pianist Oscar Peterson are the stars of this delightful collection of jazz recordings supervised by producer Norman Granz over an almost exactly 12-month period extending from 1953 to 1954. Granz's marvelous knack for bringing together excellent musicians resulted in the combined presence of trumpeters Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie, trombonist Bill Harris, clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, tenor saxophonists Ben Webster and Flip Phillips, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Buddy Rich. The combination of musical minds is extraordinary, and Hamp's amazing wavelength is dependably positive and uplifting. ~arwulf arwulf

Jazz Masters 26 mc
Jazz Masters 26 zippy

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Lester Young - The Jazz Giants

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:31
Size: 100,9 MB
Art: Front

( 9:35)  1. I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan
(10:06)  2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
( 6:54)  3. Gigantic Blues
( 6:49)  4. This Year's Kisses
( 9:06)  5. You Can Depend On Me

Even critics who feel (against the recorded evidence to the contrary) that little of tenor saxophonist Lester Young's postwar playing is at the level of his earlier performances make an exception for this session. Young was clearly inspired by the other musicians (trumpeter Roy Eldridge, trombonist Vic Dickenson, pianist Teddy Wilson, guitarist Freddie Green, bassist Gene Ramey, and drummer Jo Jones), who together made for a very potent band of swing all-stars. The five songs on this album include some memorable renditions of ballads and a fine version of "You Can Depend on Me," but it is the explosive joy of the fiery "Gigantic Blues" that takes honors. This set, a real gem, is highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-jazz-giants-56-mw0000192693

Personnel: Lester Young (tenor saxophone); Freddie Green, Herb Ellis (guitar); Buddy DeFranco (clarinet); Flip Phillips (tenor saxophone); Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge (trumpet); Vic Dickenson, Bill Harris (trombone); Oscar Peterson, Teddy Wilson (piano); Jo Jones All Stars , Jo Jones , Louie Bellson (drums).

The Jazz Giants

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Bill Harris - The Blues-Soul Of Bill Harris: Complete Mercury Recordings 1956-1959

Size: 145,6+159,2 MB
Time: 61:12+67:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz: Guitar Jazz, Bop, Swing
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Stompin' At The Savoy (2:19)
02. Moonglow (2:33)
03. Cherokee (1:33)
04. Out Of Nowhere (3:00)
05. Ethyl (2:44)
06. Possessed (2:46)
07. Perdido (2:39)
08. I Can't Get Started (1:50)
09. Dreaming (2:35)
10. K. C. Shuffle (2:18)
11. Ivanhoe (2:09)
12. Lover (2:22)
13. Spring (1:42)
14. Baker's Dozen (1:46)
15. Golden Sunset (2:37)
16. Honeysuckle Rose (2:57)
17. Midnight Blue (3:04)
18. Yesterdays (1:55)
19. The Harris Touch (3:28)
20. All The Things You Are (2:55)
21. 'S Wonderful (2:19)
22. Sometimes I'm Happy (2:36)
23. Rock Bottom Blues (4:22)
24. The Man I Love (2:32)

CD 2:
01. Lullaby Of Birdland (2:39)
02. Blue Angel (2:04)
03. The Song Is You (2:42)
04. Daahoud (2:00)
05. Ethyl (2:05)
06. Wind Song (2:03)
07. Ol' Man River (3:35)
08. Once In A While (2:51)
09. Poinciana (Song Of The Tree) (2:05)
10. Concerto For Jazz Guitar (Your Majesty) (3:13)
11. Jordu (1:45)
12. Lover (6:55)
13. All The Things You Are (1:50)
14. Poinciana (Song Of The Tree) (Alt Take) (2:37)
15. Well You Needn't (3:25)
16. Intaglio Monk Parts 1 & 2 (6:13)
17. Stompin' At The Savoy (2:26)
18. Possessed (1:27)
19. Cherokee (4:42)
20. The Song Is You (3:37)
21. Where Is Big Joe Williams Blues (3:20)
22. Ethyl (3:35)

Sources:
CD 1 - Tracks #1-12, from the album
“Bill Harris” (Mercury/EmArcy MG 36097)
CD 1 - Tracks #13-24, from the album
“The Harris Touch” (Mercury/EmArcy MG 36113)

CD 2 - Tracks #1-11, from the album
“Great Guitar Sounds” (Mercury/Wing MGW 12220)
CD 2 - Tracks #12-22, from the album
“Caught in the Act” (Jazz Guitar JGLP 100)

Personnel
BILL HARRIS: Bill Harris, guitar solos
Recorded in New York City, 1956

THE HARRIS TOUCH: Bill Harris, classical and electric guitar; Hank Jones, piano and celeste; unidentified bassist, drummer, and bongo player
Recorded in New York City, May 2 (#15,16,18,21,23,24) & 21 (#13,14,17,19,20), 1957

GREAT GUITAR SOUNDS: Bill Harris, guitar solos
Recorded in New York City, 1959

CAUGHT IN THE ACT: Bill Harris, guitar solos
Recorded at Cafritz Auditorium, Washington D.C., December, 1962

4 LPs on 2 CDs + Two Bonus Tracks. Digitally Remastered.

When Bill Harris recorded his first album as a leader in 1956, he had already been the electric guitar accompanist for The Clovers one of the most outstanding r&b vocal groups since 1949. Fellow guitarist Mickey Baker recommended him to Mercury/EmArcy s a&r head, Bob Shad, and it is to Shad s credit that he gave Harris so much scope on his debut. The full colored natural sound of Harris s unamplified Spanish guitar is a rare and interesting pleasure. In the words of Nat Hentoff, the blues-soul of Harris courses richly through everything he plays.
On his second album for the label, The Harris Touch, Bill was backed by a conventional rhythm section and a bongo player. The session featured the excellent piano work of Hank Jones, with three of the tunes vehicles to showcase of Harris s electric guitar. On the Mercury/Wing album, Harris again performs solo, displaying his remarkable feeling for the unamplified guitar in both jazz and semi-classical contexts. The fourth album on this set is also a solo recital, recorded during a Bill Harris concert in Washington in 1962. Harris plays with engaging easiness in a live program which mainly includes material from the other three albums, demonstrating his abilities as an improviser of lovely, rhythmically resilient variations.
Down Beat magazine defined his style as a combination of beauty, lyricism, charm and solid strength. This collection of performances is both a masterpiece of guitar versatility and a master class in improvisation.

The Blues-Soul Of Bill Harris CD 1
The Blues-Soul Of Bill Harris CD 2

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Flip Phillips - A Melody from the Sky

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1984
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:04
Size: 97,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:11)  1. A Melody from the Sky
(2:37)  2. Stompin' at the Savoy
(5:01)  3. Sweet and Lovely
(2:36)  4. Swingin' for Popsie
(3:57)  5. Bob's Belief
(2:47)  6. Why Shouldn't I?
(4:48)  7. Lover Come Back to Me
(3:11)  8. Papilloma
(3:09)  9. Skyscraper
(4:23) 10. 1-2-3-4 Jump
(3:23) 11. More Than You Know
(2:56) 12. Without Woody

This CD is a straight reissue of a Flying Dutchman LP and features all four of tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips' recording sessions as a leader prior to 1949. At the time, he was a key member of Woody Herman & the First Herd, and these performances have short solos from other Herman sidemen (including trombonist Bill Harris and Neal Hefti on trumpet), although Phillips is the main star. His jumping tenor was already quite distinctive, whether on romps or ballads. "Sweet and Lovely" and "Stompin' at the Savoy" are high points of this definitive early Flip Phillips set. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-melody-from-the-sky-mw0000099142

Personnel: Flip Phillips (tenor saxophone); Billy Bauer (guitar); Bill Shine, Aaron Sachs (clarinet); Sam Marowitz (alto saxophone); Mickey Folus , Pete Mondello (tenor saxophone); Sam Rubinwich (baritone saxophone); Neal Hefti (trumpet); Bill Harris (trombone); Tony Aless, Ralph Burns (piano); Margie Hyams (vibraphone); Dave Tough, Shelly Manne (drums).

A Melody from the Sky

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Woody Herman - Songs For Hip Lovers

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:13
Size: 89,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:25)  1. Makin' Whoopee
(2:38)  2. Won't Dance
(2:51)  3. I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans
(3:36)  4. Willow Weep for Me
(2:32)  5. Moon Song
(3:23)  6. Can't We Be Friends?
(3:26)  7. Comes Love
(3:01)  8. Ev'rything I've Got
(3:06)  9. Alone Together
(3:26) 10. Bidin' My Time
(3:20) 11. Isn't This a Lovely Day?
(3:22) 12. Louise

Woody Herman left his clarinet and alto sax behind for this all vocal release. Herman is a swinging, friendly singer heard doing such time-tested standards as the humorous "Makin' Whoopee," a more upbeat than typical "Willow Weep For Me," and "I Won't Dance." The musicians from each of the two sessions provide strong accompaniment: "Sweets" Edison, Charlie Shavers, and Ben Webster are outstanding and Marty Paich's arrangements fit Herman's style rather well. Although not an essential CD for everyone, this is a fun session that shouldn't be dismissed out of hand. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/songs-for-hip-lovers-mw0000239436
 

Featuring: Woody Herman (vcl), Harry Edison (tp), Bill Harris (tb), Ben Webster (ts), Ted Nash (as, fl), Jimmy Rowles (p), Barney Kessel (g), Joe Mondragon (b) Larry Bunker, Alvin Stoller (d), Frank DeVol (cond.)

Songs For Hip Lovers

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Charlie Ventura & Bill Harris - Live At the Three Deuces

Styles: Saxophone and Trombone Jazz
Year: 1947
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:49
Size: 119,1 MB
Art: Front

(10:25)  1. Characteristically B. H.
( 5:37)  2. Blue Champagne
( 8:11)  3. Frolic Sam
( 9:26)  4. High On an Open Mike
( 6:54)  5. Body and Soul
( 7:56)  6. The Great Lie
( 3:17)  7. Everything Happens To Me

Charlie Ventura and Bill Harris made their mark among fellow jazz musicians but both died in obscurity. The reappearance of these historic live performances from 1947 are important parts of their discography, most of them transcribed by collector Jerry Newman during gigs at the Three Deuces. Unlike 78 rpm discs of the era, the musicians get a chance to stretch out at length. Ventura's boppish tenor sax shows the influence of swingers like Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster, yet he is clearly speaking a new language on the instrument. Harris is a bit more economical with his notes but no less effective an improviser. The rhythm section features pianist/arranger Ralph Burns, bassist Bob Leininger and the tragic but gifted drummer Dave Tough. While this isn't a complete compilation of their material from this period, it represents most of the highlights. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-three-deuces-1947-mw0000082005

Personnel: Charlie Ventura (tenor saxophone); Bill Harris (trombone); Ralph Burns (piano); Bob Leininger, Curley Russell (bass); Dave Tough (drums).

Live At the Three Deuces

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