Kenny Dorham - Kenny Dorham Sings And Plays: This Is The Moment!

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:33
Size: 86,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:04)  1. Autumn Leaves
(2:55)  2. I Remember Clifford
(4:15)  3. Since I Fell For You
(4:11)  4. I Understand
(4:45)  5. From This Moment On
(2:37)  6. This Is The Moment
(5:26)  7. Angel Eyes
(4:29)  8. Where Are You?
(2:40)  9. Golden Earrings
(3:05) 10. Make Me A Present Of You

The release of this recording must have surprised most jazz listeners at the time, for trumpeter Kenny Dorham sings on all ten selections. He had never hinted at any desire to sing previously (although he had sung a blues regularly with Dizzy Gillespie & His Orchestra in the 1940s) and, as it turned out, this was his one and only vocal album; the sales were probably quite a bit less than Chet Baker's records of the period. Dorham had an OK voice, musical if not memorable, but the arrangements for these selections (which utilize his trumpet and Curtis Fuller's trombone, both of which are muted all the time) are inventive and pleasing. The supportive rhythm section is also an asset; pianist Cedar Walton made his recording debut on this album (released on CD via the Original Jazz Classics imprint), which is a historical curiosity. ~ Scott Yanow   

http://www.allmusic.com/album/kenny-dorham-sings-and-plays-this-is-the-moment!-mw0000118945

Personnel: Kenny Dorham - trumpet, vocals; Curtis Fuller – trombone; Cedar Walton – piano; Sam Jones – bass; G.T. Hogan – drums; Charlie Persip - drums

Kenny Dorham Sings And Plays: This Is The Moment!

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Joe Newman - Soft Swingin' Jazz

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:25
Size: 173,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:18)  1. Makin' Whoppee
(2:38)  2. Three Little Words
(4:29)  3. Scotty
(2:37)  4. There's A Small Hotel
(3:19)  5. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
(3:39)  6. Moonglow
(3:01)  7. Organ Grinder's Swing
(3:35)  8. Rosetta
(3:07)  9. Too Marvellous For Words
(2:59) 10. The Farmer's Daughter
(3:56) 11. Save Your Love For Me
(3:08) 12. The Happy Cats
(2:53) 13. Cocktails For Two
(3:40) 14. Later For The Happenings
(4:04) 15. Buttercup
(4:26) 16. Robbin's Nest
(2:18) 17. They Can't Take That Away From Me
(3:47) 18. Feather's Nest
(3:01) 19. Mean To Me
(3:34) 20. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
(3:19) 21. Joe's Tune
(3:31) 22. I Never Knew

The title says it all. Soft Swinging Jazz pairs Joe Newman with organist Shirley Scott, bassist Eddie Jones, and Charlie Persip for a mellow, lovely session unique within the trumpeter's catalog. For starters, Newman assumes vocal duties on a handful of cuts, proving himself a fine crooner. Moreover, the spacious, nuanced arrangements afford him the room to summon some of his most intimate but impassioned solos. Not to mention that Scott's an uncommonly sympathetic collaborator, shaping and underlining the melodies to create rolling, contoured grooves with the texture of velvet. The album was reissued in 2007 on the Lonehill label alongside the subsequent The Happy Cats. 

~ Jason Ankeny https://www.allmusic.com/album/soft-swinging-jazz-mw0000350883

Personnel:  Joe Newman - trumpet, vocals; Shirley Scott - organ; Eddie Jones - bass; Charlie Persip - drums; Ernie Wilkins - piano

Soft Swingin' Jazz

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Don Ellis - New Ideas

Styles: Trumpet, Piano Jazz
Year: 1990
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:51
Size: 103,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:34)  1. Natural H.
(4:20)  2. Despair To Hope
(8:16)  3. Uh-huh
(5:05)  4. Four And Three
(7:57)  5. Imitation
(2:18)  6. Solo
(7:06)  7. Cock And Bull
(5:12)  8. Tragedy

On this 1961 quintet set for Prestige (with vibraphonist Al Francis, pianist Jaki Byard, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Charlie Persip), Don Ellis experiments with time, new chord structures, and free improvisation; a highlight is his brief unaccompanied workout on the free-form "Solo." Ellis, who switches to piano during part of "Tragedy," already had a sound of his own, although he would change the direction of his music within a few years. Even over 40 years later, his thoughtful musical experiments of the early '60s are often quite fascinating to hear. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/new-ideas-mw0000203642

Personnel:  Don Ellis - trumpet, piano (8); Al Francis - vibraphone (tracks 1-5, 7 & 8); Jaki Byard - piano (tracks 1-5, 7 & 8); Ron Carter - bass (tracks 1-5, 7 & 8); Charlie Persip - drums (tracks 1-5, 7 & 8)

New Ideas

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Mal Waldron with Eric Dolphy and Booker Ervin - The Quest

Styles: Piano, Saxophone Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:37
Size: 95,9 MB
Art: Front

(8:54)  1. Status Seeking
(4:09)  2. Duquility
(4:45)  3. Thirteen
(4:26)  4. We Diddit
(5:39)  5. Warm Canto
(5:39)  6. Warp and Woof
(8:02)  7. Fire Waltz

Although often reissued under Eric Dolphy's name, this CD reissue gives the leadership back to pianist Mal Waldron. The seven originals not only feature altoist Dolphy (who makes a rare appearance on clarinet during "Warm Canto") but tenor-saxophonist Booker Ervin, Ron Carter (on cello) and Waldron. With bassist Joe Benjamin and drummer Charlie Persip giving alert support, the complex music (which falls between hard bop and the avant-garde) is successfully interpreted. Worth checking out. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-quest-mw0000078389

Personnel:  Mal Waldron – piano; Eric Dolphy – alto saxophone, clarinet; Booker Ervin – tenor saxophone (tracks 1-4, 6 & 7); Ron Carter – cello; Joe Benjamin – bass; Charlie Persip – drums

The Quest

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Don Ellis - Giants Of Jazz

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:07
Size: 180,1 MB
Art: Front

( 3:31)  1. I'll Remember April
( 6:09)  2. Sweet And Lovely
( 3:42)  3. Out Of Nowhere
( 6:06)  4. All The Things You Are
( 3:43)  5. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
( 4:26)  6. My Funny Valentine
( 4:37)  7. I Love You
( 3:39)  8. Just One Of Those Things
( 4:54)  9. Johnny Come Lately
( 4:19) 10. Angel Eyes
( 3:24) 11. Lover
(10:08) 12. Form
( 4:38) 13. Sallie
( 6:28) 14. How Time Passes
( 4:15) 15. A Simplex One

Before his untimely death in 1978 at the young age of 44, Don Ellis was one of the most creative and innovative jazz musicians of all time. In a career span of less than 25 years, Don Ellis distinguished himself as a trumpeter, drummer, composer, arranger, recording artist, author, music critic, and music educator. However, Don Ellis is probably best remembered for his work as a big band leader. His orchestra, which was active from 1966-78, achieved enormous popular appeal at a time when the influence of big band music was noticeably fading. Ellis's significance lies in his use of groundbreaking musical techniques and devices, new to the world of jazz. Ellis's innovations include the use of electronic instruments, electronic sound-altering devices, experiments with quartertones, and the infusion of 20th century classical music devices into the jazz idiom. Ellis's greatest contributions, however, came in the area of rhythm. New rhythmic devices ultimately became the Don Ellis trademark. His compositions frequently displayed time signatures with numerators of 5, 7, 9, 11, 19, 25, 33, etc. His approach within more conventional time signatures could be equally innovative through the use of rhythmic superimpositions. Ellis's rhythmic innovations, despite much criticism, were not gimmicks, but rather a direct result of his studies in non-Western musical cultures, which included graduate work at UCLA's Department of Ethnomusicolog Ellis ultimately applied his experiences and knowledge of the music of non-Western cultures to the rhythmic language of jazz. He was one of the first to have accomplished such a fusion of ideas, and his works as a composer and an author stand as a memorial reflecting a significant stage in the evolution of jazz. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/donellis

Personnel:  Don Ellis – Trumpet;  Jaki Byard – Piano, Alto Sax;  Paul Bley – Piano;  Ron Carter – Bass;  Steve Swallow – Bass;  Gary Peacock – Bass;  Charlie Persip – Drums;  Nick Martins – Drums

Giants Of Jazz

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Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan - Peckin' Time

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:04
Size: 142.1 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1988/2008
Art: Front

[ 6:09] 1. High And Flighty
[ 7:08] 2. Speak Low
[ 6:48] 3. Peckin' Time
[ 9:00] 4. Stretchin' Out
[12:23] 5. Go Go Blurs
[ 6:33] 6. High And Flightty (Alt. Take)
[ 7:16] 7. Speak Low (Alt. Take)
[ 6:44] 8. Stretchin' Out (Alt. Take)

Bass – Paul Chambers; Drums – Charlie Persip; Piano – Wynton Kelly; Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley; Trumpet – Lee Morgan.

Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley was overshadowed by more influential tenors such as Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane during his career, but although he wasn't deliberately flashy or particularly innovative, his concisely measured, round sax tone made him the perfect ensemble player and he was a fine writer, as well, a talent who has often been undervalued and overlooked. The Peckin' Time session was recorded February 9, 1958 (the LP was issued a year later) and came in the midst of what was a period of whirlwind creativity for Mobley, who recorded work for the Savoy and Prestige imprints as well as six full albums for Blue Note (two were never released -- it was not that uncommon for Blue Note to stockpile sessions at the time) in a little more than a year's time (later Blue Note albums like Soul Station and Roll Call were still well in the future). For this session, Mobley found himself working with a young Lee Morgan on trumpet and in front of a fluid rhythm section that included pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Charlie Persip, and it's solid stuff, bright and always energetic. All but one of the tracks, a rendering of Kurt Weill's "Speak Low," were written by Mobley, and again, his hidden strength was always his writing, and it should probably come as no surprise that the best two tracks here, the title tune "Peckin' Time" and the wonderful "Stretchin' Out," were both penned by Mobley. It all adds up to a fine program, and if Mobley didn't push the envelope a whole lot, his lyrical and economical playing was always appropriate and graceful, and that's certainly the case here. ~Steve Leggett

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Leo Wright - Blues Shout

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:34
Size: 92.9 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1960/2006
Art: Front

[3:26] 1. Sigi
[5:13] 2. Angel Eyes
[3:49] 3. Autumn Leaves
[7:05] 4. Indian Summer
[5:02] 5. Blues Shout
[5:26] 6. A Night In Tunisia
[4:42] 7. The Wind
[5:48] 8. Two Moods

Leo Wright's Atlantic debut, Blues Shout, effectively summarizes his career as a sideman, embracing the expressionist sensibilities of longtime boss Dizzy Gillespie as well as the Latin inspirations of longtime bandmate Lalo Schifrin to create a fiercely modern and uncommonly impassioned sound all its own. Joined by pianist Junior Mance, trumpeter Richard Williams, bassist Art Davis, and drummer Charlie Persip, Wright divides his attention between his signature alto sax and flute, delivering a series of thoughtful and lyrical solos that positively radiate energy. The blues referenced in the title are more a feeling than a sound, underscoring the emotional intensity that bristles below the surface of every note. ~Jason Ankeny

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Betty Blake - Betty Blake Sings In A Tender Mood

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:26
Size: 72.0 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1961/2014
Art: Front

[1:57] 1. Let There Be Love
[2:14] 2. I'll Be Around
[1:58] 3. Moon And Sand
[2:27] 4. Trouble Is A Man
[2:17] 5. Love Is Just Around The Corner
[5:12] 6. Lilac Wine
[2:32] 7. It's So Peaceful In The Country
[2:32] 8. While We're Young
[2:23] 9. Blue Fool
[2:43] 10. All Of You
[2:32] 11. Don't Say Love Has Ended
[2:34] 12. Out Of This World

Vocalist Betty Blake made one fine recording for Bethlehem in 1960, Betty Blake Sings in a Tender Mood. On the strength of it, she deserved more opportunities and exposure. ~Ron Wynn

If you haven’t figured it out by now, here it is spelled out for you: any release of an obscure vocalist on the Fresh Sound label from Spain is going to impress you, and make you wonder why you’ve never heard of him or her before. Here’s another case in point-Betty Blake. She sang in the 50s for Buddy Morrow’s orchestra, and then after a ’57 session with vibist Teddy Charles, was invited to do an album for Bethlehem Records. After that, she simply disappeared as if abducted by aliens. Maybe they liked jazz on Mars or something, as this album of her 1961 session, as well as her handful of tunes with Charles, are delightful.

Her voice is a kind of husky mix of Chris Connor and June Christy: cool and swinging but with a dash of molasses. She is in the company of some of the classiest guys around, with Mal Waldron/p, Kenny Burrell/g, Ed Shaughnessy/dr, Zoot Sims/ts, Charles/vib, Marcus Belgrave/tp and Charlie Persip/dr just a sample of the rotating team. Even better, she wisely keeps the standards under wraps, and does some wonderful things with obscurities like “Moon and Sand,” “Lilac Wine” and “Blue Fool.” Her reading of “All of You” is rich and inviting, while “I’ll Be Around” has her in warmth and assurance. In a larger setting of an orchestra lead by Jack Zimmerman, she gets a bit Chet Bakery on “But Not For Me.” Who talked her out of more sessions? This one’s a keeper! ~GWJazz

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Charlie Persip & The Jazz Statesmen - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:04
Size: 82.6 MB
Styles: Bop
Year: 1960/2015
Art: Front

[6:38] 1. Sevens
[6:41] 2. The Song Is You
[5:20] 3. Right Down Front
[7:48] 4. Soul March
[9:35] 5. The Champ (A Suite In Six Movements)

Drummer Charlie Persip has not had that many opportunities to lead sessions through the years; in fact, this album was his only one until 1980. His quintet includes up-and-coming players (trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenor saxophonist Roland Alexander, pianist Ronnie Matthews, and bassist Ron Carter) whom one assumes he could not hold onto for long. The music (even the original) is essentially mainstream bop with some strong solos from the horns and several spots (most notably on "The Champ") for the leader. Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave subs for Hubbard on one of the five cuts. ~Scott Yanow

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Don Bagley - Jazz On The Rocks

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:02
Size: 75.6 MB
Styles: Progressive jazz
Year: 1957/1999/2012
Art: Front

[5:29] 1. Batter Up'
[4:56] 2. Come Out Swingin'
[4:40] 3. Odd Man Out
[4:17] 4. Bull Pen
[8:47] 5. Hold In There
[4:50] 6. Miss De Minor

Alto Saxophone – Phil Woods; Bass – Don Bagley; Drums – Charlie Persip; Guitar – Sal Salvador; Piano, Vibraphone – Eddie Costa.

Don Bagley was better known as a sideman than a leader during the 1950s, touring with Stan Kenton and recording with the likes of Nat King Cole and Dexter Gordon. This is the second of just three records the bassist made as a leader, with a lineup of rising young stars including Phil Woods, Eddie Costa, Sal Salvador, and Charlie Persip. All six tracks are originals by Bagley, starting with the perky "Batter Up." The leader and the drummer set up the exotic groove to "Come Out Swingin'," which features a superb solo by Woods. "Odd Man Out" spotlights Bagley, with some delicate background accompaniment by Costa on piano. Costa switches to vibes for the driving bop vehicle "Bull Pen" and the playful "Hold in There." Originally recorded for Regent and reissued by Savoy on LP, this album finally reappeared in 1999 as a CD on the Spanish Blue Moon label. ~Ken Dryden

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