Rick Fay & Friends - Rolling On

Styles: Vocal And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:05
Size: 140,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:14)  1. I Double Dare You
(5:09)  2. Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
(3:04)  3. In the Dark
(5:20)  4. Somebody loves me
(2:47)  5. Ballad For Eddie
(5:04)  6. Can't We Be Friends?
(4:07)  7. Roll on, Mississippi, Roll On
(6:30)  8. Possum Jump
(4:31)  9. Tishomingo Blues
(5:26) 10. Manoir De Mes Reves
(3:38) 11. Plain and Simple
(2:24) 12. Echoes of Spring
(3:35) 13. Day Dream
(4:10) 14. Come Back Sweet Papa

Rick Fay's series of Arbors releases, which really got going in 1991, are superior examples of Dixieland and small-group swing. On this set Fay sticks to tenor and soprano (leaving his clarinet in the case), welcoming such major players as trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, trombonist Dan Barrett, clarinetist Chuck Hedges, pianist-arranger Dick Cary and guest-guitarist Howard Alden (who makes a couple of rare appearances on banjo) to his octet. 

The music is played with plenty of spirit and, although all of the music but three originals was already quite vintage at the time, the musicians come up with many fresh statements. Among the highlights are "I Double Dare You," a Dick Cary arrangement of Bix Beiderbecke's "In The Dark," "Somebody Loves Me," "Roll On, Mississippi, Roll On," and "Come Back Sweet Papa." ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/rolling-on-mw0000026400

Personnel: Rick Fay (vocals, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Howard Alden (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo); Paul Scavarda (guitar, banjo); Chuck Hedges (clarinet); Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet); Dan Barrett (trombone); Dick Cary (alto horn, piano); Joe Ascione (drums).

Rolling On

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Chuck Hedges - Chicago Live

Styles: Clarinet Jazz 
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:35
Size: 149,3 MB
Art: Front

(7:57)  1. Blue Skies
(6:08)  2. I Want A Little Girl
(6:17)  3. Get Happy
(7:43)  4. Scuttlebutt
(4:48)  5. In A Sentimental Mood
(5:24)  6. I Hear Music
(4:30)  7. Daydream
(5:56)  8. Avalon
(5:17)  9. Sweet And Lovely
(3:28) 10. I Surrender Dear
(7:03) 11. Undecided

Chuck Hedges explained that he wanted this CD to give full credit and exposure to each member of the band and to give the listener a personal experience of how the music sounds in a live concert, undiluted by the technical guru's best intentions. For this he assembled a group of the best veteran Chicago area musicians, all of whom know each other's playing intuitively, and then personally supervised the sound mixing for the desired result. So hitch up your chair on-stage, look out at the live audience and, listen carefully to what it really sounds like to be in the middle of the band where you can hear everything, all of the time. For the full experience, we recommend you listen with your eyes closed and your ears open. In his early 20's Chuck Hedges remembered that he once played clarinet in high school and, wouldn't it be cool if he got it out again to see if he remembered how to play it. Then, apparently he jumped on-stage with some local Chicago guys like George Brunies, Muggsy Spanier and Danny Alvin and headed out on a half-century career which has taken him all over the world and launched him into the ranks of the best jazz clarinetists on planet Earth. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/hedges

Personnel: Clarinet: Chuck Hedges; Guitar: Dave Sullivan; Vibes: Duane Thamm; Piano: Steve Behr; Drums: Charlie Braugham; Bass: John Bany

Chicago Live

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Chuck Hedges - Sweet And Lovely

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:14
Size: 123,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:31)  1. Sweet And Lovely
(5:33)  2. Triste
(5:11)  3. Prelude To A Kiss
(4:12)  4. I Got Rhythm
(6:22)  5. The Very Thought Of You
(5:58)  6. Here's That Rainy Day
(5:34)  7. Exactly Like You
(4:53)  8. A Kiss To Build A Dream On
(4:19)  9. Oh, Lady Be Good
(5:38) 10. Mood Indigo

This project began when Chuck Hedges asked me to arrange one or two tunes for his Milwaukee Connection jazz band and string orchestra for the possible inclusion on an upcoming CD. Chuck is a dear friend and one of my favorite musicians of all time! Of course, I was honored to be asked by Chuck to work with him in this capacity. Over the years, Chuck and I have played many gigs together at jazz festivals and jazz clubs all over the world (Chuck on clarinet and me on string bass). We've also recorded several CDs with either Chuck or Tom Saunders as the leader. This would be the first time I would be able to actually write music for Chuck and a larger ensemble. This was an exciting prospect! So, with Chuck's instructions to me regarding his vision for these charts, I jumped right into it and wrote new string arrangements for Triste and Prelude To A Kiss in less than a week. After I completed the first two arrangements, I called Chuck and said, "Give me two more tunes to arrange for your jazz band and strings. I'm on a roll and I want to keep writing while I'm hot!" This process went on for several weeks until, with Chuck's guidance, I had completed ten new original arrangements for Chuck Hedges' Milwaukee Connection and string orchestra. Chuck's original intent was just to have a few string arrangements to record with his sextet. But the project had grown beyond what he had envisioned in the beginning. Now we had enough material for an entire CD! Chuck was thrilled. So was I! The producers of this CD, Denny, Marilyn and Brett Boneck then invited me to come to Milwaukee and participate in the recording sessions for this new CD. My role now shifted from arranger to conductor and musical director. The Bonecks are fantastic people. They are incredibly supportive, gracious and generous. The Bonecks have been close friends with Chuck Hedges for many years and they relished the opportunity to help produce this CD. 

It was my great pleasure to become friends with the Bonecks during the creation of the CD. Along with the invaluable assistance of Executive Producer Harry Abramowitz, Chuck, the Bonecks, The Milwaukee Connection, the string players, the recording engineer Ric Probst and I buckled down for two very intense days of recording at The Exchange Recording Complex studios in Milwaukee, WI. What came out of these sessions was a great masterwork of art spawned from the collective efforts of many. Our team consisted of seventeen talented, dedicated, motivated, focused and cheerful people who worked diligently and beyond Chuck's and my expectations to accomplish this difficult goal in a short amount of time. We are all pleased with the outcome of this CD and hope that you enjoy the final product as much as we enjoyed creating it. I want to express my deepest thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this recording. I am proud to be associated with these great musicians and music lovers: Denny, Marilyn and Brett Boneck, Cheryl Miller, Harry Abramowitz, engineer Ric Probst, violinists Jerry Loughney and Therese Ritchie, violist Katrin Talbot, cellist Scott Cook, pianist Gary Meisner, string bassist George Welland, drummer Andy LoDuca, guitarists Dave Sullivan and John Parrott, and vibraphonist Bob Maynard. Most importantly, I am extremely grateful to Chuck Hedges for this wonderful opportunity which became one of the greatest musical experiences of my life and I've had A LOT of great musical experiences!). Thank you, Chuck, for your faith in me and for the chance to help you create something really special with lasting value! Sincerely, Paul Keller https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/hedges7

Sweet And Lovely

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Chuck Hedges - Just for You

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:46
Size: 180,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:07)  1. Overcomer
(7:09)  2. Beseme Mucho
(6:26)  3. I've Got the World On a String
(4:19)  4. I Want to Be Happy
(4:15)  5. Satan Takes a Holiday
(4:35)  6. All of Me
(5:24)  7. Thanks for the Memory
(3:05)  8. Blue Bossa
(4:54)  9. Somebody Love Me
(6:53) 10. Squeeze Me
(5:06) 11. The Best Thing for You Is Me
(5:54) 12. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
(5:14) 13. Limehouse Blues
(4:05) 14. A Closer Walk With Thee
(5:15) 15. You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To

Chuck Hedges has provided jazz fans with another remarkable performance. Chuck and The Milwaukee Connection, have been growing together for many years now. This album brings to you a sense of what it’s like to hear them live at jazz festivals and in nightclubs. Listening them live is the only way to get a better sense of their vitality, musicianship and swinging excitement. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/hedges6

Just for You

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Chuck Hedges & Johnny Varro - Skylark

Styles: Clarinet And Piano Jazz 
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:31
Size: 88,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:36)  1. When You're Smiling
(4:03)  2. Here's That Rainy Day
(4:19)  3. Autumn Leaves
(3:38)  4. 'Round Midnight
(4:13)  5. Have You Met Miss Jones?
(4:02)  6. Jitterbug Waltz
(4:31)  7. There Will Never Be Another You
(4:12)  8. Skylark
(4:53)  9. I Found a New Baby

During a visit to Los Angeles in June 1983, clarinetist Chuck Hedges crossed paths with pianist extraordinaire Johnny Varro on two occasions. First, they played a gig at Gatsby's, a Brentwood club where Varro was a regular and after that, they entered a Hollywood studio with bassist Ray Leatherwood and drummer Gene Estes and recorded this excellent album, which was released as the Magna Graphic album The Square Roots of Jazz in 1983 before being reissued as the Delmark CD Skylark in 1995. The improvisers enjoy a strong rapport throughout the session, which generally recalls the small group swing of the '30s and '40s. Hedges and Varro are equally melodic, and their warm lyricism is something to savor on familiar standards that include "Autumn Leaves," "Skylark," and Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz." 

Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight," which Orrin Keepnews described as "the national anthem of jazz," is an interesting choice for Hedges  though it has been recorded by countless beboppers, hard boppers, and post-boppers, it isn't the first song that swing or Dixieland artists think of. But the song certainly works for Hedges and Varro. Swing fans will definitely want this album. ~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/album/skylark-mw0000646939

Personnel:  Clarinet – Chuck Hedges; Piano – Johnny Varro;  Bass – Ray Leatherwood; Drums – Gene Estes

Skylark

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Chuck Hedges - Just Jammin'

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:37
Size: 174,9 MB
Art: Front

(8:52)  1. Broadway
(5:38)  2. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
(7:00)  3. Sugar
(9:51)  4. I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You
(6:33)  5. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
(7:54)  6. Do Nothin' Til You Hear From Me
(6:59)  7. Lullaby In Rhythm
(3:19)  8. In My Solitude
(8:11)  9. The Man I Love
(6:11) 10. Midnight Sun
(5:03) 11. Samba Dese Days

Chuck Hedges would agree that he is a nut who didn’t fall far from the tree. Chicago born and bred, the talented clarinetist settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after touring with Wild Bill Davison, and he still commutes to the Windy City for a regular gig at Andy’s. But he also appreciates jamming with his Wisconsin neighbors, and for some time he has wanted to record with them. (Some of Hedges’ Milwaukee neighbors are commuters, such as Bucky Buchwalter, who returned to music after retiring from 40 years as an executive with Marshall Field in Chicago; and Dave Sullivan, who drives in from Sheboygan.) Arbors Records has provided him that chance. The result is a gentle album of “swinging chamber jazz, possibly what the pioneering Benny Goodman sextet might sound like today, if BG, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, et al., were still alive and playing,” as Mike Drew, jazz critic and writer for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, opines in the liner notes. Well, I’m not sure I would’ve gone that far, but you’ve got the idea. From their assurance, musicianship, blend, and joie de vivre, these are obviously serious jazzmen who enjoy their music-making enormously and want to share it. To be sure, the music is relaxed and easy to share; as I’m listening in my office, my wife walks past the door, stops, and then comes in just to sit and listen for a spell. This CD provides more than 75 minutes of mellow music on only eleven tunes, so the musicians have plenty of room to stretch out a bit. Ellington’s “Solitude” runs a little more than three minutes, but all the others range between five and ten minutes in length. The longest is also the slowest and moodiest: Victor Young and Ned Washington’s “Ghost of a Chance,” with a delightful guitar quote from “It Might as Well Be Spring,” and tasty solos all around. If you like quotes, listen to Sullivan’s guitar solos: on “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart,” for David Rose’s “Holiday for Strings”; right at the beginning on “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear from Me,” for Stephen Foster’s “I Dream of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair”; and on “Samba Dese Days,” for Youmans and Caesar’s “Tea for Two.” The two most up-tempo tunes are left for near the end: “The Man I Love” and “Samba Dese Days,” Sophie Tucker’s old theme song, with a lilting Latin arrangement of “Midnight Sun” sandwiched in between. Any lingering doubts I might have harbored about the technical and musical abilities of these six musicians have been neatly dispelled, long before the last echoes die out. ~ J.Robert Bragonier https://www.allaboutjazz.com/just-jammin-chuck-hedges-arbors-records-review-by-j-robert-bragonier.php

Personnel: Chuck Hedges (clarinet), Henry (Bucky) Buckwalter (vibes), Dave Sullivan (guitar), Gary Meisner (piano), Mike Britz (bass), and Andy LoDuca (drums)

Just Jammin'

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Chuck Hedges - Swingtet - Live at Andy's (Live)

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:31
Size: 168,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:09)  1. Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
(5:31)  2. New Orleans
(7:53)  3. Cheek to Cheek
(6:04)  4. Nuage
(7:18)  5. It's Allright with Me
(5:04)  6. Gamblers' Waltz
(5:11)  7. Breakfast Feud
(5:50)  8. I Don't Wanna Be Kissed
(4:52)  9. Liza
(5:15) 10. She's Funny That Way
(6:41) 11. Autumn Leaves
(6:38) 12. The Blues (My Naughty Sweetie Gives Me)

The talented clarinetist Chuck Hedges is joined by some excellent Chicago-based players (vibraphonist Duane Thamm, guitarist Dave Bany, bassist John Bany, and drummer Charles Braugham) for a spirited set of superior swing-based tunes. "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise," "It's Allright With Me," "Breakfast Feud," and "I Don't Wanna Be Kissed" are among the high points of this consistently swinging and very enjoyable music, a bit of a throwback to the 1950s. Hedges has rarely been given the opportunity to lead a record session, so that fact (on top of the high quality of the music) makes this successful effort something special. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/swingtet-live-at-andys-mw0000123863

Personnel: Chuck Hedges - clarinet; Duane Thamm - vibraphone, chimes;  John Bany - bass, vocals; Dave Bany - guitar;  Charles Braugham - drums

Swingtet Live at Andy's

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Chuck Hedges Quartet - No Greater Love

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:35
Size: 133,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:31)  1. There Is No Greater Love
(4:45)  2. My Old Flame
(5:38)  3. Samba Dese Days
(4:47)  4. I'll Be Seeing You
(4:48)  5. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
(2:33)  6. Magnolia Rag
(7:17)  7. I Thought About You
(6:13)  8. Jitterbug Waltz
(5:36)  9. I Remember You
(3:37) 10. I Love You
(5:45) 11. Cheek To Cheek

Although he has been a top clarinetist for over 30 years and a popular attraction at classic jazz parties and festivals, clarinetist Chuck Hedges has had relatively few opportunities to lead his own record dates; in fact, this Arbors CD was his first session as a leader in nine years. Pianist Eddie Higgins (showcased on his "Magnolia Rag"), bassist Bob Haggart and drummer Gene Estes are swinging and supportive of Hedges, who is in top form on such numbers as "There Is No Greater Love," "Samba Dese Days," and "Cheek to Cheek." A superior advanced swing date. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/no-greater-love-mw0000029794

Personnel: Chuck Hedges (clarinet); Eddie Higgins (piano); Gene Estes (drums).

No Greater Love

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Chuck Hedges - Just For Fun

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 69:59
Size: 160.2 MB
Styles: Dixieland
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:05] 1. Night And Day
[4:16] 2. Old Folks
[3:38] 3. On A Slow Boat To China
[3:54] 4. Black Butterfly
[4:19] 5. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
[4:24] 6. Come Sunday
[4:55] 7. Deep Purple
[6:25] 8. Poor Butterfly
[2:35] 9. On The Street Where You Live
[4:06] 10. Soon
[6:27] 11. Nina Never Knew
[5:21] 12. One Note Samba
[5:12] 13. If You Could See Me Now
[5:56] 14. Dinah
[3:19] 15. Just For Fun

Chuck Hedges was never someone to turn to for innovation; his swing recordings of the 1990s and 2000s sound like they could have been recorded in the 1940s. But the clarinetist can usually be counted on for quality, and Just for Fun is no exception. This CD is, for the most part, state-of-the-art small group swing which is ironic when you consider that it was recorded in 2000 (55 years after the swing era ended). Few surprises occur; Hedges excels by sticking with what he does best, and that means playing favorites like "Dinah" and "Deep Purple" very much the way that Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and their colleagues would have played them in the 1930s or 1940s. Hedges (who is joined by pianist Eddie Higgins, bassist Paul Keller, and drummer Ed Metz, Jr.) isn't oblivious to bop  his version of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "One Note Samba," for example, is more bop than swing but as a rule, Just for Fun is faithful to the Goodman/Shaw school of swing clarinet playing. One could complain about the fact that Just for Fun offers so few surprises when it comes the choice of material. The two Duke Ellington gems that Hedges' quartet embraces on this album ("Come Sunday" and "Black Butterfly") have been recorded extensively, and while no one is suggesting that he should give up standards altogether, it would have been nice to hear the clarinetist interpret some of the Duke's lesser-known work  there are a wealth of great Ellington pieces from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s that didn't become standards and often go ignored. Regardless, Just for Fun is excellent. Hedges may not be the most adventurous jazzman in the world, but when it comes to playing swing with a lot of heart and warmth, he's unbeatable. ~Alex Henderson

Just For Fun

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