Herbie Harper - Jazz In Hollywood

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:23
Size: 110.8 MB
Styles: Trombone jazz
Year: 1954/1997
Art: Front

[5:10] 1. Jeepers Deepers
[2:52] 2. Dinah
[2:12] 3. Five Brothers
[2:57] 4. Herbstone
[3:00] 5. Summertime
[4:14] 6. Jive At Five
[2:31] 7. Patty
[3:36] 8. The New York City Ghost
[2:53] 9. Julie Is Her Name
[3:12] 10. Sanguine
[3:13] 11. Now Playing
[2:56] 12. 6 4 Mambo
[3:29] 13. Bananera
[2:24] 14. Indian Summer
[3:37] 15. The Happy Clown

Baritone Saxophone – Bob Gordon; Bass – Harry Babasin; Drums – Roy Harte; Guitar – Al Hendrickson; Piano – Jimmy Rowles, Marty Paich; Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Bud Shank; Trombone – Herbie Harper.

Although somewhat forgotten today, Herbie Harper was one of jazz's top trombonists of the 1950s. Even with the time he spent doing studio work, Harper was closely involved in the West Coast jazz movement in Los Angeles. This CD, whose music is also available as part of Fresh Sound's three-CD Complete Nocturne Recordings Vol. 1, has Harper's two Nocturne dates, including the earliest session cut by the label. Harper is heard on a delightfully swinging set with baritonist Bob Gordon, pianist Jimmy Rowles, bassist Harry Babasin and drummer Roy Harte, and on two other sessions with Babasin, Harte and sometimes Bud Shank (on tenor and baritone rather than alto and flute), guitarist Al Hendrickson and/or pianist Marty Paich. The music includes cool renditions of swing-era songs, a few newer originals, and some offbeat material. Recommended. ~Scott Yanow

Jazz In Hollywood mc
Jazz In Hollywood zippy

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Clifford Brown - Jazz Immortal

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:19
Size: 74.0 MB
Styles: Bop, Trumpet jazz
Year: 1954/1990/2011
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. Daahoud
[3:48] 2. Finders Keepers
[3:13] 3. Joy Spring
[3:37] 4. Gone With The Wind
[4:12] 5. Bones For Jones
[3:13] 6. Blueberry Hill
[4:12] 7. Tiny Capers
[2:56] 8. Tiny Capers
[2:55] 9. Gone With The Wind

Baritone Saxophone – Bob Gordon; Bass – Carson Smith (tracks: 4 to 8), Joe Mondragon (tracks: 1 to 3); Drums – Shelly Manne; Piano – Russ Freeman; Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims; Trumpet – Clifford Brown; Valve Trombone – Stu Williamson. Recorded at Capitol Recording Studios, Los Angeles in July (#1-3) and August (#4-8) 1954. #8 does not appear on LP configuration and was originally issued on Pacific Jazz (JWC 500). #1-7 were originally issued on 10" LP - PJ19 and later 12" LP - PJ3.

Clifford Brown recorded this album in 1954 in California with a great band, including Zoot Sims on Tenor Sax and Russ Freeman on Piano. Clifford Brown was a masterful trumpet player at a very young age and soon achieved a high stature in the jazz world in the early 50's. He played with Charlie Parker and Tadd Dameron, as well as leading his own bands. I think this recording is one of his best, with original songs and arrangements done by Jack Montrose. Clifford Brown's alternatively sweet, tough and complex trumpet playing integrates wonderfully with Zoot Sims saxophone. The song 'Tiny Capers' is a brilliant excursion in jazz improvisation and playfulness, while retaining a beautiful melody. ~Jostein Berntsen

Jazz Immortal

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Dave Pell - I Had The Craziest Dream

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:31
Size: 123,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:52)  1. I Had The Craziest Dream
(3:27)  2. Jazz Wagner
(2:27)  3. Mike's Peak
(2:39)  4. Poopsie
(2:56)  5. Star Eyes
(2:47)  6. Klump Jump
(2:44)  7. My Heart Belongs To Daddy
(2:09)  8. On The Good Ship Lollipop
(2:22)  9. The Way You Look Tonight
(5:12) 10. Nap's Dream
(3:12) 11. Time After Time
(3:48) 12. Crescendo Date
(2:40) 13. People In Love
(3:32) 14. The Way You Look Tonight
(3:22) 15. The Man I Love
(3:36) 16. Love Is Just Around The Corner
(2:37) 17. Play, Fiddle, Play

The Dave Pell Octet was the epitome of mid-'50s West Coast jazz. With its tight arrangements, concise performances (usually around three minutes long despite the rise of the LP), soft tones, and distinctive brand of restrained swing, Pell's ensemble was a perfect representative of cool jazz. The ensemble originally was part of the Les Brown Big Band, gaining an independent life of its own in 1955. This valuable reissue CD from 1998 has all of the first 13 selections that Pell recorded for Capitol eight from 1955 and the remainder from 1957 plus four titles (one previously unissued) led by trumpeter Don Fagerquist with a similar band in 1955 (one of only two opportunities that the underrated great had to head his own date). Dave Pell's four-horn, four-rhythm group includes Fagerquist, either Bob Gordon or Ronny Lang on baritone, the leader on tenor, trombonist Ray Sims, guitarist Tony Rizzi, pianist Paul Smith, drummer Jack Sperling, and one of three bassists. The Fagerquist group differs in that, instead of a trombone, he featured three tenors (Pell, Zoot Sims, and Bill Holman). The arrangements (by Marty Paich, Wes Hensel, Shorty Rogers, Bill Holman, Jack Montrose, and Andre Previn) put an emphasis on melody, subtle surprises, and light swing, even at faster tempos. Basic originals alternate with updated versions of standards (mostly from the swing era). Of the soloists, Fagerquist and Rizzi come off best, although Pell also fares quite well. Although this style of West Coast jazz is largely extinct decades later (other than the notable Phil Norman Tentet), the music still sounds quite fresh and timeless. The Dave Pell Octet's many other recordings (for Trend, Kapp, Atlantic, Victor, and Coral) are out of print, so grab this valuable CD while you can. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/i-had-the-craziest-dream-mw0000041365

Personnel: Dave Pell (tenor saxophone); Bob Gordon, Ronny Lang (baritone saxophone); Don Fagerquist (trumpet); Ray Sims (trombone); Paul Smith (piano); Tonny Rizzi (guitar); Joe Mondragon, Ralph Pena, Rolly Bundock (bass); Jack Sperling (drums); Roy Harte (bongos) ; Bill Hollman,  Zoot Sims (tenor saxophone); Bob Gordon (baritone saxophone); Donn Trenner (piano); Vernon Polk (guitar); Buddy Clark (bass); Bill Richmond (drums).

I Had The Craziest Dream

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Jack Montrose & Bob Gordon - Two Can Play (2-Disc set)

Largely forgotten in the 1990s and living in the Las Vegas area, tenor saxophonist Jack Montrose was one of the most skillful of the cool jazz arranger/composers of the 1950s. This 1998 CD combines together two dates: arguably Montrose's finest album as a leader (a 1955 outing with baritonist Bob Gordon, trumpeter Conte Candoli, pianist Paul Moer, bassist Ralph Pena, and drummer Shelly Manne), plus a quintet set that was actually headed by the short-lived Gordon (who died in a car accident on August 28, 1955). Montrose's own date has five of his originals plus three reworked standards, while Gordon's album is comprised of six Montrose songs (including two versions of "Two Can Play") and three other standards. Even on the latter album, Montrose's charts (which are full of unexpected surprises while always swinging and leaving room for plenty of solos) are quite notable and show that, despite the restrained tones, there was plenty of excitement to be found in West Coast jazz. In addition, this CD acts as a perfect memorial for the talented Gerry Mulligan-influenced baritonist Bob Gordon. Highly recommended. ~Scott Yanow

CD1 #1-9: Bob Gordon Quintet
Jack Montrose (ts), Bob Gordon (bars), Paul Moer (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Billy Schneider (d). Hollywood, May 6 and 27, 1954

CD1 #10-14 & CD2 #1-4: Jack Montrose Quintet
Jack Montrose (ts), Bob Gordon (bars), Paul Moer (p), Red Mitchell (b), Shelly Manne (d). Hollywood, May 11 & 12, 1955

CD2 #5-12: Jack Montrose Sextet
Conte Candoli (tp), Jack Montrose (ts), Bob Gordon (bars), Paul Moer (p), Ralph Peña (b), Shelly Manne (d). Hollywood, June 24 and July 6, 1955.

Album: Two Can Play (Disc 1)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 49:40
Size: 113.7 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1955/2012

[2:34] 1. Meet Mr. Gordon
[3:01] 2. Tea For Two
[3:43] 3. Modus Operandi
[3:24] 4. Onion Bottom
[3:35] 5. What A Difference A Day Makes
[3:44] 6. For Sue
[2:21] 7. Love Is Here To Stay
[2:27] 8. Two Can Play
[2:24] 9. Two Can Play (Alternate Take)
[4:56] 10. A Little Duet
[4:02] 11. Paradox
[3:31] 12. When You Wish Upon A Star
[5:13] 13. Have You Met Miss Jones
[4:39] 14. Dot's Groovy

Two Can Play (Disc 1)

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Album: Two Can Play (Disc 2)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 60:29
Size: 138.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1955/2012
Art: Front

[5:43] 1. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
[4:32] 2. Cecilia
[5:01] 3. April's Fool
[4:15] 4. The News And The Weather
[5:31] 5. Listen, Hear
[5:15] 6. Pretty
[5:27] 7. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
[5:23] 8. Credo
[5:32] 9. Fools Rush In
[4:11] 10. Speakeasy
[4:26] 11. That Old Feeling
[5:06] 12. Some Good Fun Blues

Two Can Play (Disc 2)

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