The Big 18 - Live Echoes Of The Swinging Bands (2-Disc Set)

Buck Clayton, Charlie Shavers, Rex Stewart, Billy Butterfield (tp), Lawrence Brown, Lou McGarity, Dickie Wells, Vic Dickenson (tb), Peanuts Hucko (cl), Sam Donahue, Ernie Caceres (saxes), Johnny Guarnieri (p), Milt Hinton (b), Jimmy Crawford (d). Tracks from CD 1, from the 12" album "Live Echoes of the Swinging Bands" (RCA Victor LSP-1921). Tracks from CD 2, from the 12" album "More Live Echoes of the Swinging Bands" (RCA Victor LSP-1983).

The Big 18 was an all star big band that pays tribute to the swinging big bands of the thirties. The original idea came from Fred Reynolds, musical director of RCA Victor at the end of the fifties. He called his library to select numbers that would be characteristic of the orchestras of the swing era. He then commissioned arranger Charles Shirley to listen to the original recordings and transcribe them, keeping as much as possible of the flavor of the original band, leaving space in the arrangements for much longer solos than the original short recordings allowed for. Some of the greatest musicians in each band selected the tunes that were chosen to produce these wonderful sessions. It resulted in some very fine solos and an exciting ensemble sound, plus a superb recording that faithfully captured their spirit.

Album: Live Echoes Of The Swinging Bands (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:41
Size: 95.4 MB
Styles: Swing, Big band
Year: 2011

[4:00] 1. Swingtime In The Rockies
[5:12] 2. Easy Does It
[5:46] 3. Five O'clock Drag
[5:35] 4. Feet Draggin' Blues
[4:19] 5. Summit Ridge Drive
[4:33] 6. Tuxedo Junction
[4:46] 7. Blues On Parade
[3:37] 8. Okay For Baby
[3:48] 9. March Of The Toys

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Album: Live Echoes Of The Swinging Bands (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:09
Size: 91.9 MB
Styles: Swing, Big band
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[4:39] 1. Skyliner
[3:50] 2. Parade Of The Milk Bottle Caps
[4:10] 3. Celery Stalks At Midnight
[2:56] 4. I'm Prayin' Humble
[4:42] 5. Hors D'oeuvre
[3:30] 6. Liza
[3:48] 7. The Cambells Are Swinging
[4:32] 8. Organ Grinder's Swing
[5:30] 9. Ton O'rock Bump
[2:27] 10. Quaker City Blues

Live Echoes Of The Swinging Bands (Disc 1)(Disc 2)

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The Keynoters With Nat King Cole: The Essential Keynote Collection 9

Styles: Swing, Jazz
Year: 1986
Time: 47:29
File: MP3 @ 128K/s
Size: 47,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:17) 1. You're Driving Me Crazy (Alternate Take)
(4:15) 2. You're Driving Me Crazy
(4:38) 3. I'm In The Market For You
(4:31) 4. Blue Lou (Unissued Master 1)
(4:22) 5. Blue Lou (Unissued Master 2)
(4:20) 6. I Found A New Baby (Unissued Master)
(3:18) 7. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me (Alternate Take)
(3:06) 8. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
(3:11) 9. The Way You Look Tonight (Alternate Take)
(3:10) 10. The Way You Look Tonight
(2:38) 11. Airiness A La Nat (Alternate Take)
(2:39) 12. Airiness A La Nat
(3:00) 13. My Old Flame

Valuable anthology in the huge Complete Keynote Sessions anthology line. This set featured Cole playing with group assembled for recording sessions organized by Harry Lim for his Keynote label. They are solidly in swing mode and present Cole at his peak as soloist and accompanist. Unfortunately, both this and the total 21-disc package are difficult to find and expensive.By Ron Wynn https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-keynoters-with-nat-king-cole-mw0000651253#review

Personnel: Trumpet – Charlie Shavers (tracks: 1 to 6), Jonah Jones (tracks: 1 to 6); Tenor Saxophone – Budd Johnson (tracks: 1 to 6); Alto Saxophone – Willie Smith (2) (tracks: 7 to 13); Bass – Milt Hinton (tracks: 1 to 6), Red Callender (tracks: 7 to 13); Drums – J. C. Heard (tracks: 1 to 6), Jackie Mills (tracks: 7 to 13); Piano – Johnny Guarnieri (tracks: 1 to 6), Nat King Cole (tracks: 7 to 13)

The Keynoters With Nat King Cole: The Essential Keynote Collection 9

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Charlie Shavers - Complete Recordings Vol. 3

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:00
Size: 176,8 MB
Art: Front

(2:39)  1. The Best Things In Life Are Free
(3:00)  2. Taking A Chance On Love
(2:25)  3. In A Little Spanish Town
(3:01)  4. You're My Everything
(2:45)  5. My Old Kentucky Home
(2:30)  6. Caroica
(2:20)  7. In The Still Of The Night
(2:35)  8. Soon
(3:26)  9. I'm A Fool To Love You
(2:50) 10. Blues For Choo Loos
(2:48) 11. I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
(2:43) 12. Don't Be Late
(3:24) 13. It Might As Well Be Spring
(2:37) 14. Jada
(2:57) 15. But Beautiful
(2:35) 16. Fly Me To The Moon
(1:59) 17. It Don't Mean A Thing
(2:35) 18. Period Of Adjustment
(2:11) 19. Bossa Nova Petite
(1:39) 20. I Kid You Not
(3:15) 21. Porgy
(2:50) 22. Undecided
(2:17) 23. Opus 5
(2:55) 24. A Night In Tunisia
(2:30) 25. Shiny Stockings
(2:42) 26. Minor Blues
(2:31) 27. Tenderly
(1:53) 28. School Days
(1:55) 29. Big Time Blues

Charlie Shavers, one of the greatest if most underrated trumpeters of all time, was in his late prime during the period covered by Complete Recordings, Vol. 3 and four other volumes of Lone Hill Jazz reissues. Shavers' extroverted sound, brilliant technique, wide range and fertile wit always made his solos a delight. This CD reissues all of the music from his LPs Like Charlie and Excitement Unlimited plus five cuts from Charlie Shavers at Le Crazy Horse Saloon. The Like Charlie album has Shavers joined by a rhythm section with pianist Ray Bryant, and includes spectacular versions of "The Best Things in Life Are Free," "A Little Spanish Town," "Carioca," and other swing standards. The Crazy Horse numbers have Shavers with an unidentified trio while the Excitement Unlimited sessions showcase the trumpeter in an octet with tenor-saxophonist Budd Johnson and altoist Jerome Richardson. Although the first two volumes in this series are a bit more essential, this generous CD is also a must for Charlie Shavers collectors.~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/complete-recordings-vol-3-charlie-shavers-ray-bryant-quartet-mw0000357955

Personnel: Charlie Shavers (tp), Ray Bryant (p), Tommy Bryant (b), Oliver Jackson (d)

Complete Recordings   Vol. 3

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Charlie Shavers - Complete Recordings Vol. 2

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:36
Size: 176,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:31)  1. Girl Of My Dreams
(2:33)  2. September In The Rain
(2:40)  3. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
(2:27)  4. Lover
(2:15)  5. I'll Get By
(2:45)  6. Out Of Nowhere
(2:38)  7. Dream
(2:35)  8. Bye Bye Blackbird
(2:48)  9. Pennies From Heaven
(2:18) 10. Frenesi
(2:34) 11. Green Eyes
(3:00) 12. Let's Fall In Love
(2:21) 13. All Of Me
(2:57) 14. Makin' Whoopee
(3:18) 15. Russian Lullaby
(2:57) 16. Taboo
(4:09) 17. You've Changed
(3:21) 18. It's All Right With Me
(2:34) 19. Loch Lomond
(2:33) 20. I Want A Little Girl
(2:40) 21. What Is This Thing Called Love?
(3:10) 22. On The Alamo
(3:15) 23. Undecided
(3:08) 24. All Of You
(3:00) 25. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
(2:26) 26. I've Got The World On A String
(2:29) 27. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby

Sublime work from trumpeter Charlie Shavers  a player with a wonderful tone, and a clear, straightforward sound that was often sadly overlooked! The CD brings together the full tracks from 2 albums that Shavers recorded with pianist Ray Bryant Memorial, from 1959, and Here Comes Charlie, from 1960  both of them well-crafted sets that are a great example of Shaver's understated genius. 

The rhythms on both records are surprisingly complex  thanks to free drum work on the kit from Roy Burns, modern bass tones from Aaron Bell, and always-soulful work on piano from Ray Bryant and if we had to pick one album as our favorite, we'd say that we're especially flored by the Here Comes Charlie set as it goves far beyond even our already high opinion of Shaver's talents. https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/charlie-shavers-ray-bryant-albums/3991-complete-recordings-vol2.html

Personnel: Charlie Shavers (tp), Roy Burns (p), Tommy Bryant or Aaron Bell (b), Ray Bryant (d)

Complete Recordings  Vol. 2

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Charlie Shavers - Complete Recordings Vol.1

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:18
Size: 173,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:04)  1. C'est Si Bon
(2:29)  2. Domino
(2:19)  3. Mam'selle
(2:36)  4. The Last Time I Saw Paris
(1:54)  5. Pigalle
(2:29)  6. Song From "Moulin Rouge"
(2:06)  7. Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup
(2:54)  8. Petite Fleur
(2:21)  9. My Man
(3:24) 10. I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
(2:27) 11. Comme Si, Comme CA
(3:21) 12. I Love Paris
(1:57) 13. Alexander's Ragtime Band
(3:20) 14. Basin Street Blues
(3:31) 15. Jazz Me Blues
(3:06) 16. Beale Street Blues
(2:41) 17. If I Could Be With You
(3:03) 18. Royal Garden Blues
(2:26) 19. At The Jazz Band Ball
(2:42) 20. Muskrat Ramble
(2:27) 21. Margie
(2:38) 22. St. Louis Blues
(3:16) 23. Daddy's Got The Gleeks
(3:00) 24. When The Saints Go Marching In
(2:35) 25. One O Clock Jump
(2:39) 26. Man With A Horn
(2:27) 27. You Came A Long Way From St. Louis
(1:52) 28. Back Home Again In Indiana

Charlie Shavers was one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time. He had brilliant technique, a very wide range, his own sound, a witty and swinging style, and gave the impression that he could play anything. Over five CDs, the Lone Hill label has reissued most of Shavers' recordings as a leader from 1954-1964, just skipping an album for Capitol, live sets put out by Hep and Spotlight, a Storyville date and two albums released by Vogue. Complete Recordings, Vol. 1 is a perfect place to start, because this CD reissues a set of French-associated songs (from the album Charlie Digs Paree), an exciting and successful program of Dixieland tunes (from Charlie Digs Dixie) and four numbers from the trumpeter's At Le Crazy Horse Saloon, an album whose contents are split between three CDs in this series. Shavers is heard throughout as the only horn in a quartet, with pianist Ray Bryant on all but the Crazy Horse selections. Sometimes the rhythm section provides a shuffle rhythm (à la Jonah Jones) while at other times they swing conventionally. It is particularly fun to hear the trumpeter tear into the Dixieland repertoire. Shavers is the star throughout and was at the peak of his remarkable powers during this period. It is a pity that he is largely forgotten today, for he was a truly remarkable player.~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/complete-recordings-vol-1-charlie-shavers-ray-bryant-quartet-mw0000704042

Personnel: Charlie Shavers (tp), Oliver Jackson (d), Aaron Bell or Tommy Bryant (b), Ray Bryant (p)

Complete Recordings Vol.1

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Tadd Dameron - The Magic Touch

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:37
Size: 85,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:59)  1. On A Misty Night
(4:11)  2. Fontainebleau
(4:54)  3. Just Plain Talking
(3:18)  4. If You Could See Me Now
(2:51)  5. Our Delight
(3:01)  6. Dial B For Beauty
(4:56)  7. Look, Stop And Listen
(3:31)  8. Bevan's Birthday
(3:42)  9. You're A Joy
(3:12) 10. Swift As The Wind

Tadd Dameron is known to proclaim that he became an arranger rather than stay an exclusive instrumentalist because it was the only way he could get his music played. In retrospect, considering his best-known works are widely revered, few of them are frequently played by other bands, and only the finest musicians are able to properly interpret them. Dameron's charts had an ebb and flow that superseded the basic approach of Count Basie, yet were never as quite complicated as Duke Ellington. Coming up in the bop movement, Dameron's music had to have been by definition holding broader artistic harmonics, while allowing for the individuality of his bandmembers. The Magic Touch includes a handful of Dameron's most beloved compositions, as well as those that were more obscure, and have still never been covered. When you look at the sheer talent level of the players on this recording Clark Terry, Charlie Shavers, Joe Wilder, Jimmy Cleveland, Britt Woodman, Julius Watkins, Jerry Dodgion, Jerome Richardson, Johnny Griffin, Bill Evans, Ron Carter, George Duvivier, et al.one has to be in awe of them, and that only Dameron was able to convene such a band of extraordinary jazz performers in their prime. To effectively rein them all in was the trick, keeping solos at a bare minimum, and blending their personalized sounds together so harmoniously. "If You Could See Me Now" is the most famous, the immortal ballad of regret featuring the Sarah Vaughan styled vocal of Barbara Winfield. She also appears on the restrained and serene "You're a Joy." Dameron was known for his wonderfully piquant flute arrangements, with Dodgion, Richardson, and Leo Wright doing the honors, sounding chirpy during "If You Could See Me Now," in wonderfully supple Japanese style trills during "Dial B for Beauty," in staccato bop trim for "Swift as the Wind," or in heightened dramatic, evocative romantic nuances on the classic "Fontainebleau." The other classic standards include the definitive, spirited, cohesive rock 'em sock 'em horn punctuations and the great drumming of Philly Joe Jones for "On a Misty Night," and the direct, simple, hard swinging bop of "Our Delight" charts in most every big band's repertoire. The blues infused "Just Plain Talkin'" take the flutes and alto saxophonist Dodgion to a higher atmospheric level, "Look, Stop & Listen" is a quirky bop managed in choppy horn layers, while "Bevan's Birthday" is a Latin to easy swing and back inversion, triggered by the flutes to go back to the spicy beats. This CD version features several shorter alternate takes, thus increasing the value of the original sessions, not with longer solos, but different improvisational nuances. As close to a definitive recording as Dameron issued, and considering his very small discography, The Magic Touch is a recording that all modern jazz lovers need to own and take further lessons from. ~ Michael G.Nastos https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-magic-touch-of-tadd-dameron-mw0000378367

Personnel: Tadd Dameron - Piano, Arranger, Conductor; Clark Terry - Trumpet; Ernie Royal - Trumpet; Charlie Shavers - Trumpet; Joe Wilder - Trumpet; Jimmy Cleveland - Trombone; Britt Woodman - Trombone; Julius Watkins - French Horn; Jerry Dodgion - Alto Sax, Flute; Leo Wright - Alto Sax, Flute; Jerome Richardson - Tenor Sax, Flute; Johnny Griffin - Tenor Sax; Tate Houston - Baritone Sax; Bill Evans - Piano; Ron Carter - Bass; George Duvivier - Bass; Philly Joe Jones - Drums; Barbara Winfield - Vocals

The Magic Touch

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Charlie Shavers - The Most Intimate

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:13
Size: 77,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:53)  1. Stella By Starlight
(2:54)  2. Ill Wind
(3:42)  3. Stormy Weather
(3:49)  4. Out Of Nowhere
(2:51)  5. Easy To Remember
(3:28)  6. Stardust
(3:13)  7. I Cover The Waterfront
(3:22)  8. Memories Of You
(3:15)  9. You're Mine You
(3:43) 10. Let's Fall In Love

Considering his stature, it is surprising that the exciting trumpeter Charlie Shavers did not lead more sessions throughout his career. This set, only his second LP as a leader, is purely mood music with concise and very melodic versions of ten familiar ballads. Shavers, who is backed by a large string orchestra, shows off the prettier side of his tone, but nothing all that stirring occurs. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-most-intimate-charlie-shavers-mw0000872848

Personnel: Trumpet – Charlie Shavers

The Most Intimate

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Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich - The Drum Battle

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:47
Size: 82,7 MB
Art: Front

(0:42)  1. Introduction
(6:46)  2. Idaho
(4:39)  3. Sophisticated Lady
(5:56)  4. Flying Home
(9:04)  5. Drum Boogie
(3:36)  6. The Drum Battle
(5:01)  7. Perdido

This set was initially issued as the 15th instalment in Norman Grantz's Jazz at the Philharmonic series of LPs, EPs, and 45s. As that highly collectible compilation of performances has been out of print since the 1960s, many of the volumes were later issued under the respective artists' name. As the title would imply, Drum Battle: Jazz at the Philharmonic features the artistry of the Gene Krupa Trio with Buddy Rich (drums) sitting in on a few numbers as well as the inimitable jazz scat vocalizations of Ella Fitzgerald on a hot steppin' and definitive "Perdido." Opening the disc is Krupa's trio with Willie Smith (alto sax) and Hank Jones (piano) providing a solid and singularly swinging rhythm section. While Smith drives the band, Krupa is front and center with his antagonistic percussive prodding. "Idaho" is marked with Jones' rollicking post-bop mastery as he trades solos with Smith and can be heard quoting lines from Monk before yielding to Smith. The cover of Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" sparkles from beginning to end. Jones' opening flourish sets the tenure as Smith settles into a smoky lead, containing some nice syncopation and regal augmentation from Jones. Krupa primarily provides ample rhythm work on the emotive ballad. Smith's diversion into "Stormy Weather" is notable for exemplifying the lyrically improvisational nature of this combo. The tempo is significantly stepped up on a cover of Benny Goodman's "Flying Home," which is full of high-spirited playing and garners a sizable reaction from the audience. 

The lengthy "Drum Boogie" is one of Krupa's signature pieces and is greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. Buddy Rich climbs on board for a one-on-one duel with Krupa, whose styles mesh into a mile-a-minute wash of profound percussion. The duet segues into an inspired and free-form jam on "Perdido," with Fitzgerald belting out her lines with authority, class, and most of all, soul. ~ Lindsay Planer https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-drum-battle-mw0000318913

Personnel:  Gene Krupa – drums; Buddy Rich – drums; Roy Eldridge – trumpet; Charlie Shavers – trumpet; Benny Carter – alto saxophone; Flip Phillips – tenor saxophone; Lester Young – tenor saxophone; Hank Jones – piano; Oscar Peterson – piano; Willie Smith – piano; Barney Kessel – guitar; Ray Brown – double bass; Ella Fitzgerald – vocals

The Drum Battle

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Ernie Wilkins - Top Brass and Trumpets All Out

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:36
Size: 165,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:25)  1. 58 Market St.
(5:21)  2. Trick or Treat
(4:42)  3. Speeway
(5:39)  4. Dot's What
(3:21)  5. Top Brass
(2:17)  6. Willow Weep for Me
(2:42)  7. Imagination
(1:51)  8. It Might as Well Be Spring
(2:37)  9. The Nearness of You
(4:48) 10. Taking a Chance on Love
(8:28) 11. Five Cats Swingin'
(5:06) 12. Blues in 6/4
(3:19) 13. Trumpets All Out
(5:27) 14. She's Just My Size
(1:51) 15. Love Is Here To Stay
(1:49) 16. Time On My Hands
(1:51) 17. When Your Lover Has Gone
(2:00) 18. All Of Me
(3:53) 19. Low Life

Hard-swingin tracks from Ernie Wilkins one of the most soulful arrangers of his time, working here in a wonderful all-star session from the 50s! The album's definitely got the "top brass" promised in the title a lineup that features Donald Byrd, Ray Copeland, Idrees Sulieman, and Joe Wilder on trumpets all working at a level that allows plenty of space for well-blown solos, but tied up in tighter ensemble formation overall  all with that Wilkins sense of swing that really set Ernie apart at the time. Rhythm is from a trip that includes Hank Jones on piano, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Kelly Clarke on drums and titles include "58 Market Street", "Trick Or Treat", "Speedway", "Dot's What", "Top Brass", "Imagination", and "Willow Weep For Me". Also features the album Trumpets All Out an all-trumpet affair, one that features 5 different players on the instrument Art Farmer, Emmet Berry, Charlie Shavers, Ernie Royal, and Harold Baker supported by spare rhythm from the trio of Don Abney on piano, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Bobby Donaldson on drums. 

There's a definite swing-based approach here different than usual for some of Farmer's outings of the time but the differences between the players are nicely pronounced, and the amazing thing about the album is how it manages to pack so much solo energy in such a relatively small space, in a way that still lets you hear the different voices clearly. Titles include "She's Just My Size", "Five Cats Swingin", "Blues In 6/4", "Trumpets All Out", and "Low Life".  © 1996-2018, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/540512

Personnel:  Art Farmer, Emmett Berry, Charlie Shavers, Ernie Royal, Shorty Baker, Donald Byrd, Ray Copeland, Idrees Sulieman, Joe Wilder (trumpete),  Hank Jones, Don Abney (piano),  Wendell Marshall (bass),  Kenny Clarke, Bobby Donaldson (drums)

Top Brass and Trumpets All Out

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Teddy Wilson - Interaction

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:17
Size: 83.1 MB
Styles: Swing, Piano jazz
Year: 1995/2017
Art: Front

[2:03] 1. If Dreams Came True
[3:07] 2. Untitled
[2:52] 3. After You've Gone
[2:25] 4. Sweet Lorraine
[3:06] 5. Red Bank Boogie
[3:02] 6. How High The Moon
[3:12] 7. Tea For Two
[4:19] 8. The Way You Look Tonight
[3:47] 9. Stompin' At The Savoy
[3:19] 10. You're My Favorite Melody
[4:58] 11. The Sheik Of Araby

Bass – Oscar Pettiford; Clarinet – Edmond Hall; Drums – Morey Feld, Big Sid Catlett, Specs Powell; Guitar – Remo Palmieri; Piano – Teddy Wilson; Trombone – Benny Morton; Trumpet – Charlie Shavers, Cootie Williams, Roy Eldridge; Vibraphone – Red Norvo. Recorded June 15 & December 22, 1944, these recording were made for broadcasts.

The tracks on this album were recorded between June 15 and December 22, 1944. Featured in these great sessions are Teddy Wilson on piano; Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers and Cootie Williams on trumpet; Benny Morton on trombone; Edmund Hall on clarinet; Red Norvo on vibraphone; Remo Palmieri on guitar; Al Hall, Oscar Pettitford and Slam Stewart on bass; and Big Sid Catlett, Morey Feld and Specs Powell on drums. What all-star swinging lineups.

This is brilliant music. Note that there is actually an untitled Track 2, which is a great tune, bringing the total number of tracks to 11. Highly recommended. ~Jack J. Bieler

Interaction mc
Interaction zippy

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Bill Potts - The Jazz Soul of Porgy and Bess

Styles: Jazz, Post-Bop 

Year: 1959

File: MP3@256K/s

Time: 47:36

Size: 87,6 MB

Art: Front

(3:08)  1. Summertime

(2:23)  2. A Woman Is A Sometimes Thing

(4:10)  3. My Man's Gone Now

(2:45)  4. It Takes A Long Pull To Get There

(3:27)  5. I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'

(5:18)  6. Bess, You Is My Woman

(3:16)  7. It Ain't Necessarily So

(5:15)  8. Medley

(3:04)  9. I Loves You Porgy

(3:15) 10. Clara, Clara

(3:25) 11. There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York

(4:41) 12. Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess

(3:22) 13. Oh Lawd, I'm On My Way

Music that will endure, played with all the skill, passion and imagination that great jazz musicians can bring to bear on it. These are but two of the basic factors which make The Jazz Soul of Porgy and Bess one of the finest jazz albums ever made. Just as crucial was a third the superb work of arranger Bill Potts, which established him as a major figure in the field of arranging for jazz orchestra. Add to all that a score that includes the top songs written by George and Ira Gershwin for this classic musical. The result was itself a multifaceted classic, a faithful translation to the language of big band jazz of the emotional rollercoaster of love and tragedy set to music by the Gershwins, brought to dramatic life by one of the finest groups of jazz ever assembled under one roof for a recording session. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Porgy-Bess-Arranged-Conducted-Potts/dp/B005Y0QXD4

Personnel: BIll Potts (arr, cond), Charlie Shavers, Harry Edison, Art Farmer, Bernie Glow (tp), Bob Brookmeyer (v-tb), Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Rehak (tb), Phil Woods, Gene Quill, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Sol Schlinger (saxes), Bill Evans (p), Herbie Powell (g), George Duvivier (b), Charles Persip (d)

The Jazz Soul of Porgy and Bess

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Don Byas - Savoy Jam Party

Styles: Saxophone Jazz

Year: 1946

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 73:48

Size: 169,7 MB

Art: Front

(2:55)  1. Riffin' And Jivin'

(3:39)  2. Free And Easy

(3:14)  3. Worried And Blue

(2:52)  4. Don's Idea

(2:58)  5. Savoy Jam Party

(3:00)  6. 1944 Stomp

(2:59)  7. What Do You Want With My Heart

(3:00)  8. Sweet And Lovely

(2:30)  9. White Rose Kick

(3:02) 10. My Deep Blue Dream

(2:39) 11. Byas'd Opinion

(3:18) 12. Candy

(2:56) 13. How High The Moon

(3:11) 14. Donby

(2:45) 15. Byas A Drink

(3:00) 16. I Don't Know Why

(3:02) 17. Old Folks

(3:01) 18. Cherokee

(2:58) 19. September In The Rain

(2:43) 20. Living My Life

(2:57) 21. To Each His Own

(2:23) 22. They Say It's Wonderful

(2:46) 23. Cynthia's In Love

(2:53) 24. September Song

(2:58) 25. St. Louis Blues

A former two-LP set with 32 tracks becomes a single CD consisting of the first 25 numbers. The packaging was shrunk to the point where the liner notes (which refer to all 32 songs) are nearly microscopic...But at least it is "an exact reproduction." Although this reissue from the Japanese Denon label could have been executed better, the music is excellent. Don Byas, one of the great tenors of the 1940s, is featured with groups ranging from a quartet to a sextet; the sideman include trumpeters Charlie Shavers, Emmett Berry and Benny Harris, altoist Rudy Williams, pianists Clyde Hart, Dave Rivera, Jimmy Jones, Teddy Brannon and Sanford Gold, bassists Slam Stewart and Milt Hinton and drummers J.C. Heard and Max Roach. Byas is in superior form on these late-period swing performances...it will interest those who can't find the original, better-packaged two-LP set (put out by Arista in the 1970s). ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/savoy-jam-party-the-savoy-sessions-mw0000645489

Personnel: Don Byas (tenor saxophone); Rudy Williams (alto saxophone); Charlie Shavers, Emmett Berry, Benny Harris (trumpet); Clyde Hart (piano, celeste); Dave Rivera, Jimmy Jones, Teddy Brannon, Sanford Gold (piano); Slam Stewart, Milt Hinton, John Levy, Frank Skeete, Leonard Gaskin (bass); Max Roach, J.C. Heard, Jack Parker, Fred Radcliffe (drums).

Savoy Jam Party

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Teddy Wilson - How High The Moon?

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1945
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 28:36
Size: 66,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:22)  1. How High The Moon?
(2:52)  2. After You've Gone
(2:54)  3. Dinah
(2:29)  4. Stompin' At The Savoy
(3:03)  5. I Surrender Dear
(1:56)  6. I Know That You Know
(2:55)  7. I'm Confessin'
(2:23)  8. Rose Room
(3:24)  9. It's The Talk Of The Town
(3:13) 10. Flyin' Home

The music on this CD has appeared a countless number of times, most recently as part of a Vintage Jazz Classics CD. The 1945 Teddy Wilson sextet (which features the pianist, vibraphonist Red Norvo and trumpeter Charlie Shavers) make the most of every second during their very concise versions of ten selections; all but two are under three minutes. Most of the solos are just a half-chorus long, but there are some strong moments, particularly from Shavers' fiery horn. The final selection, listed as "Flyin' Home," actually has no relation to that tune and is an obscurity called "Speculation." This is fun music, but due to the extreme brevity of this set (under 28 minutes) and the availability of the much more complete VJC CD, this can be safely skipped. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/how-high-the-moon-mw0000977218

Personnel: Teddy Wilson (piano); Remo Palmieri (guitar); Charlie Shavers (trumpet); Red Norvo (vibraphone); Specs Powell (drums).

How High The Moon?

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Sam 'The Man' Taylor - Jazz For Commuters / Salute To The Saxes

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:49
Size: 153.0 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[5:03] 1. Bucks County Bounce
[8:29] 2. Long Island Railroad Blues
[3:03] 3. Westchester Waltz
[3:40] 4. Rockland County Round Trip
[3:11] 5. Westport Wail
[4:10] 6. Lester Leaps In
[3:51] 7. Body And Soul
[6:30] 8. Air Mail Special
[4:19] 9. All Too Soon
[3:31] 10. Flyin' Home
[2:32] 11. Taylor Made
[2:29] 12. Sam's Blues
[2:34] 13. Ride, Sammy, Ride
[2:51] 14. Do-A-Lu
[2:27] 15. Road Runner
[2:38] 16. Lock Out
[2:46] 17. The Big Beat
[2:32] 18. Cloudburst

Charlie Shavers, Thad Jones (tp), Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Sam Taylor, Georgie Auld (ts), Budd Johnson (ts, bs), Haywood Henry (bs), Hank Jones (p), Barry Galbraith, Billy Bauer (g), Milt Hinton (b), Panama Francis (d). All sessions recorded in New York. Album tracks were recorded on October 15 & 22, 1958. The Bonus tracks (11-17) came from different sessions cut between March, 1955 and June, 1956

Sam The Man Taylor is a saxophonist as adept at swinging jazz as he is at the blues and R&B for which he is most famous. With his unending drive and energy, he stood out in the bands he was in, including those of Cootie Williams, Cab Calloway and others. During the 50s he spent much of his time playing R&B sessions, but he also performed and recorded often with his own combo and, ten years later, he achieved wide recognition in Japan thanks to his ballads.

This CD, however, presents an exultant Taylor, deeply rooted in the most genuine jazz, during a swinging 1958 session with great jazzmen like Charlie Shavers, Georgie Auld, Budd Johnson and Hank Jones. As a bonus, there is an example of his more rocking side, fronting a group that exudes Taylors typically soulful essence.

Jazz For Commuters/Salute To The Saxes

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Flip Phillips - Swinging With Flip

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:19
Size: 87,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:06)  1. If I Had You
(3:14)  2. Cottontail
(3:18)  3. Blues For The Midgets
(3:23)  4. What Is This Thing Called Love
(3:01)  5. Singing In The Rain
(2:49)  6. Gina
(3:38)  7. Goodbye
(2:55)  8. Salute To Pres
(3:20)  9. Swedish Pastry
(3:10) 10. Someone To Watch Over Me
(3:01) 11. I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket
(3:16) 12. Trio Boogie

Flip Phillips, who angered some critics early on because he gained riotous applause for his exciting solos during Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts, for over 50 years was an excellent tenor saxophonist equally gifted on stomps, ballads, and standards. He played clarinet regularly in a Brooklyn restaurant during 1934-1939, was in Frankie Newton's group (1940-1941), and spent time in the bands of Benny Goodman, Wingy Manone, and Red Norvo. However, it was in 1944 that he had his breakthrough. As a well-featured soloist with Woody Herman's Herd (1944-1946), Phillips became a big star. His warm tenor was most influenced by Ben Webster but sounded distinctive even at that early stage. He toured regularly with Jazz at the Philharmonic during 1946-1957, scoring a bit of a sensation with his honking solo on "Perdido" and holding his own with heavy competition (including Charlie Parker and Lester Young). He occasionally co-led a group with Bill Harris, and that band was the nucleus of the ensemble that Benny Goodman used in 1959. Phillips then retired to Florida for 15 years, playing on just an occasional basis, taking up the bass clarinet as a double and making only a sporadic record date. But by 1975 he was back in music full-time, making quite a few records and playing at festivals and jazz parties. Even as he passed his 80th birthday, Flip Phillips had lost none of the enthusiasm or ability that he had a half-century earlier. ~ Scott Yanow https://itunes.apple.com/lu/artist/flip-phillips/id121154#fullText

Personnel:  Bass – Ray Brown; Drums – Buddy Rich;  Guitar – Barney Kessel;  Piano – Oscar Peterson;  Tenor Saxophone – Flip Phillips;  Trumpet – Charlie Shavers

Swinging With Flip

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Charlie Shavers - The Complete Charlie Shavers With Maxine Sullivan

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:10
Size: 89,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:17)  1. Dark Eyes
(3:32)  2. Dawn on the Desert
(6:10)  3. Moten Swing
(8:09)  4. Story of the Jazz Trumpet
(4:48)  5. Rose Room
(3:44)  6. Flow Gently Sweet Rythm
(2:31)  7. Molly Malone
(2:40)  8. If I Had a Ribbon Bow
(3:16)  9. Windy

Charlie Shavers was one of the great trumpeters to emerge during the swing era, a virtuoso with an open-minded and extroverted style along with a strong sense of humor. He originally played piano and banjo before switching to trumpet, and he developed very quickly. In 1935, he was with Tiny Bradshaw's band and two years later he joined Lucky Millinder's big band. Soon afterward he became a key member of John Kirby's Sextet where he showed his versatility by mostly playing crisp solos while muted. Shavers was in demand for recording sessions and participated on notable dates with New Orleans jazz pioneers Johnny Dodds, Jimmy Noone, and Sidney Bechet. He also had many opportunities to write arrangements for Kirby and had a major hit with his composition "Undecided." After leaving Kirby in 1944, Charlie Shavers worked for a year with Raymond Scott's CBS staff orchestra, and then was an important part of Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra from 1945 until past TD's death in 1956. 

Although well-featured, this association kept Shavers out of the spotlight of jazz, but fortunately he did have occasional vacations in which he recorded with the Metronome All-Stars and toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic; at the latter's concerts in 1953, Shaver's trumpet battles with Roy Eldridge were quite exciting. After Dorsey's death, Shavers often led his own quartet although he came back to the ghost band from time to time. During the 1960s, his range and technique gradually faded, and Charlie Shavers died from throat cancer in 1971 at the age of 53. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/charlie-shavers-mn0000179732/biography

Personnel: Charlie Shavers (trumpet); Maxine Sullivan (vocals); Hank D'Amico, Buster Bailey (clarinet); Russell Procope (alto saxophone); Benny Morton (trombone); Ken Kersey, Billy Kyle (piano); Panama Francis, Specs Powell (drums).

The Complete Charlie Shavers With Maxine Sullivan

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Charlie Shavers - Gershwin, Shavers & Strings

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:55
Size: 70.8 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1955/2014
Art: Front

[2:36] 1. I've Got A Crush On You
[3:05] 2. Someone To Watch Over Me
[2:45] 3. Somebody Loves Me
[3:08] 4. The Man I Love
[3:04] 5. It Ain't Necessarily So
[3:06] 6. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away)
[3:10] 7. Embraceable You
[2:54] 8. I've Got Rhythm
[3:46] 9. Summertime
[3:17] 10. But Not For Me

The music of George Gershwin, but taken to some great late night territory by the trumpet of Charlie Shavers! The album's a sublime "with strings" date – one that has Charlie blowing beautifully over backdrops from Sy Oliver – charts that certainly use some string instruments, but often in a very spare, mellow way – so that once Shavers gets going, his trumpet is right out front – often with a beautifully moody tone!

Gershwin, Shavers & Strings

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Charlie Shavers - Gershwin, Shavers And Strings

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:55
Size: 70.8 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz, Easy Listening
Year: 1955/2015
Art: Front

[2:36] 1. I've Got A Crush On You
[3:05] 2. Someone To Watch Over Me
[2:45] 3. Somebody Loves Me
[3:08] 4. The Man I Love
[3:04] 5. It Ain't Necessarily So
[3:06] 6. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away)
[3:10] 7. Embraceable You
[2:54] 8. I've Got Rhythm
[3:46] 9. Summertime
[3:17] 10. But Not For Me

The music of George Gershwin, but taken to some great late night territory by the trumpet of Charlie Shavers! The album's a sublime "with strings" date – one that has Charlie blowing beautifully over backdrops from Sy Oliver – charts that certainly use some string instruments, but often in a very spare, mellow way – so that once Shavers gets going, his trumpet is right out front – often with a beautifully moody tone! Titles include "I've Got A Crush On You", "Embraceable You", "Liza", "Summertime", "But Not For Me", and "It Ain't Necessarily So".

Gershwin, Shavers And Strings

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Charlie Shavers - The Everest Years

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:10
Size: 126.3 MB
Styles: Swing, Trumpet jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[2:27] 1. Girl Of My Dreams
[2:28] 2. September In The Rain
[2:36] 3. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
[2:31] 4. Bye Bye Blackbird
[2:44] 5. Pennies From Heaven
[2:35] 6. The Best Things In Life Are Free
[2:55] 7. Taking A Chance On Love
[2:21] 8. In A Little Spanish Town
[2:42] 9. My Old Kentucky Home
[2:46] 10. Blues For Choo Loos
[2:18] 11. All Of Me
[3:16] 12. Russian Lullaby
[3:17] 13. It's All Right With Me
[2:29] 14. Loch Lomond
[3:12] 15. Undecided
[2:37] 16. That Was Yesterday
[3:09] 17. I Will Follow You
[3:51] 18. Chin Up, Ladies
[2:36] 19. Independence Hora
[2:10] 20. As Simple As That

The last prime period of trumpeter Charlie Shavers' career was during the period of time when he led four albums for Everest (1959-1961). Five selections from each of the records are on this sampler. On three occasions, Shavers is heard with the Ray Bryant Trio, playing in a format that Jonah Jones was having great commercial success with at the time. Shavers is a bit less uninhibited than Jones was during that period, and downright spectacular on some of the pieces. The final session, music from the forgotten play Milk and Honey, has the trumpet joined by organist Wild Bill Davis and guitarist Les Spann in a quintet. He seemed to have limitless technique, a warm sound, and a strong wit. The performances all clock in around three minutes or less, but Shavers says a lot in a brief period of time, making this an excellent overview of his work on Everest. ~Scott Yanow

The Everest Years

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Sam 'The Man' Taylor - Jazz For Commuters / Salute To The Saxes

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:37
Size: 152.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, swing
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[4:19] 1. All Too Soon
[3:03] 2. Westchester Waltz
[4:10] 3. Lester Leaps In
[2:34] 4. Ride, Sammy, Ride
[3:51] 5. Body And Soul
[8:29] 6. Long Island Railroad Blues
[5:01] 7. Bucks County Bounce
[2:48] 8. Do-A-Lu
[2:32] 9. Taylor Made
[3:40] 10. Rockland County Round Trip
[2:29] 11. Cloudburst
[2:46] 12. The Big Beat
[6:30] 13. Air Mail Special
[2:27] 14. Rood Runner
[2:29] 15. Sam's Blues
[3:11] 16. Westport Wail
[2:38] 17. Look Out
[3:31] 18. Flyin' Home

All sessions recorded in New York. The album tracks were recorded on October 15 & 22, 1958. The Bonus tracks (tracks 11-18) came from different sessions cut between March, 1955 and June, 1956. Charlie Shavers, Thad Jones (tp), Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Sam “The Man” Taylor, Georgie Auld (ts), Budd Johnson (ts, bars), Haywood Henry (bs), Hank Jones (p), Barry Galbraith, Billy Bauer (g), Milt Hinton (b), Panama Francis (d).

Sam “The Man” Taylor is a saxophonist as adept at swinging jazz as he is at the blues and R&B for which he is most famous. With his unending drive and energy, he stood out in the bands he was in, including those of Cootie Williams, Cab Calloway and others. During the 50s he spent much of his time playing R&B sessions, but he also performed and recorded often with his own combo and, ten years later, he achieved wide recognition in Japan thanks to his ballads. This CD, however, resents an exultant Taylor, deeply rooted in the most genuine jazz, during a swinging 1958 session with great jazzmen like Charlie Shavers, Georgie Auld, Budd Johnson and Hank Jones. As a bonus, there is an example of his more “rocking” side, fronting a group that exudes Taylor’s typically soulful essence.

Jazz For Commuters/Salute To The Saxes

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