Scott Hamilton, Ken Peplowski & Spike Robinson - Groovin' High

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:13
Size: 150,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:52)  1. Blues Up And Down
(5:06)  2. You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me
(7:31)  3. That Ole Devil Called Love
(5:08)  4. Shine
(7:30)  5. The Goof And I
(7:00)  6. What's New
(7:14)  7. I'll See You In My Dreams
(8:27)  8. Groovin' High
(5:42)  9. Body And Soul
(6:37) 10. The Jeep Is Jumpin'

Fans of jam sessions and tenor battles will definitely want this CD. Tenors Scott Hamilton, Ken Peplowski and Spike Robinson (constantly pushed by the brilliant rhythm section of pianist Gerry Wiggins, guitarist Howard Alden, bassist Dave Stone and drummer Jake Hanna) take turns raising the temperature on such viable devices as "Blues Up and Down," "Shine," "I'll See You In My Dreams" and "The Jeep Is Jumpin'." Robinson (easily the oldest of the trio of tenors) gets a slight edge and generates the most heat, but the saxophonists actually complement each other quite well. A consistently exciting set.
By Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/groovin-high-mw0000077010

Personnel: Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone); Ken Peplowski (tenor saxophone); Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone); Howard Alden (guitar); Gerald Wiggins, Gerry Wiggins (piano); Jake Hanna (drums).

Groovin' High

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Ernie Watts, Pete Christlieb, Rickey Woodard - The Tenor Trio

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:06
Size: 142,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:11)  1. Blues Up and Down
(7:23)  2. Strollin'
(5:42)  3. Groovin' High
(6:28)  4. Love for Sale
(4:04)  5. St. Thomas
(5:41)  6. Fried Bananas
(5:47)  7. Here's to Alvy
(6:06)  8. Holy Land
(5:52)  9. Moten Swing
(5:16) 10. Eternal Triangle
(5:30) 11. Little Pony

In his book Jazz For Beginners, Ron David says that nobody really loves jazz. "People love Miles or Dixieland or Free Jazz or Fusion or two, three or four of the above but nobody loves jazz. It's too varied." Truer words were never written. I like to think of myself as a lover of all kinds of jazz, but when it really comes down to it, I prefer swing, bop, fusion, and anything that smacks of the blues. Sure I relate to Miles, Coltrane and Ornette, but they appeal more to my brain than my viscerals. Basie, Blakey and Metheny hit me right in the gut. Since The Tenor Trio bops and swings simultaneously, here's one CD that really presses my buttons. The Tenor Trio consists of saxmen Ernie Watts, Pete Christlieb and Ricky Woodard. Once his cushy gig on the Tonight Show ended, Watts quickly became a respected mainstream player with a succession of fine albums. Christlieb is a lesser known but no less capable Tonight Show alum. Woodard has blown his sax for Ray Charles and the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra. These three pros engage in some friendly but ferocious battles on this superbly arranged 10-track release. There are no originals here, but the saxmen put their collaborative stamp on some well-chosen chestnuts. The three saxophones blend beautifully, the solos are intensely competitive, and terrific backup is provided by pianist Gerry Wiggins, bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Frank Capp. Tunes include Horace Silver's "Strollin'," Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas," Benny Moten's "Moten Swing," and Neil Hefti's "Little Pony." The Tenor Trio delivers graceful, joyous bop that's never dissonant. Mainstream jazz seldom sounds this catchy. ~ Ed Popp https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-tenor-trio-watts-christlieb-and-woodard-jvc-review-by-ed-kopp.php

Personnel:  Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Watts, Pete Christlieb, Rickey Woodard;  Bass – Chuck Berghofer;  Drums – Frank Capp;  Piano – Gerry Wiggins

The Tenor Trio

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Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray - Citizens Bop

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:40
Size: 90.8 MB
Styles: Bop, Swing
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[2:58] 1. The Rubaiyat
[4:14] 2. My Kinda Love
[2:51] 3. Citizens Bop
[3:08] 4. One For Prez
[2:27] 5. Jingle Jangle Jump
[2:55] 6. Dell's Bells
[2:33] 7. I Hear You Knockin
[3:17] 8. The Man I Love
[3:01] 9. Easy Swing
[3:31] 10. Man With A Horn
[5:42] 11. Blue Lou
[2:55] 12. The Rubaiyat

Baritone Saxophone – Maurice Simon (tracks: 10); Bass – Red Callender; Drums – Chuck Thompson (tracks: 1 to 10, 12), Jackie Mills (tracks: 11); Piano – Dodo Marmarosa (tracks: 4, 6, 8, 9), Erroll Garner (tracks: 11); Piano, Organ – Gerry Wiggins (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7, 10, 12); Tenor Saxophone – Dexter Gordon (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7, 10, 12), Wardell Gray; Vocals – Gladys Bentley (tracks: 5).

Rare LA bop sides from Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray – two of the heaviest tenors to ever grace the west coast, recorded here in the prime of their late 40s careers. Tracks were recorded during the years 1946, 1947, and 1952 – and 6 tracks (including "The Rubiyat", "My Kinda Love", "Citizen's Bop", and "Man With A Horn") feature Gordon and Gray together in a group with Gerry Wiggins on piano and organ. The remaining 6 tracks feature Gray heading up bop quartets with either Dodo Marmaroso or Errol Garner on piano – and titles include "Dell's Bells", "One For Prez", "Blue Lou", and "Easy Swing".

Citizens Bop mc
Citizens Bop zippy

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The Frank Capp Juggernaut - Play It Again Sam

Styles: Jazz, Bop
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:01
Size: 129,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:09)  1. The Heat's On
(6:35)  2. Warm Breeze
(6:07)  3. Ja-Da
(3:48)  4. Sweet Georgia Brown
(2:17)  5. Katy
(3:32)  6. Wind Machine
(3:46)  7. Soft As Velvet
(3:15)  8. Ya Gotta Try
(6:16)  9. Freckle Face
(4:16) 10. Satin 'N' Glass
(6:46) 11. 88 Basie Street
(5:06) 12. Night Flight

On the one hand, the music on this set, which features the Frank Capp Juggernaut performing a dozen Sammy Nestico arrangements, is quite predictable. After all, the Juggernaut's playing has always been based on the style of Count Basie, so its interpretations of Nestico's music (ten of the 12 songs are his) is very much in the Basie tradition. But on the other hand, the enthusiasm of the band, the high musicianship and the many exciting solos make this into a very enjoyable performance that all fans of swinging big bands will want. Among the many top soloists are trumpeters Conte Candoli, Carl Saunders, Bob Summers and Bill Berry, trombonists Andy Martin and Thurman Green, pianist Gerry Wiggins and the tenors of Pete Christlieb and Rickey Woodard. In fact, on "88 Basie Street," all 18 musicians in the orchestra get four-bars apiece. Other highlights include "The Heat's On," "Wind Machine," "Ya Gotta Try" and "Freckle Face."~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/play-it-again-sam-mw0000096900

Personnel: Frank Capp (drums); Barry Zweig, John Pisano (guitar); Jackie Kelso, Steve Wilkerson (alto saxophone); Pete Christlieb, Rickey Woodard (tenor saxophone); Bob Efford (baritone saxophone); Conte Candoli, Bill Berry , Frank Szabo, Bob Summers, Carl Saunders (trumpet); George Bohannon, Dana Hughes, Alan Kaplan, Andy Martin , Thurman Green, Wendell Kelly (trombone); Gerry Wiggins (piano).

Play It Again Sam

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Tal Farlow - Autumn In New York

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1954
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:44
Size: 82,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:12)  1. I Like To Recognize The Tune
(3:29)  2. Strike Up The Band
(5:06)  3. Autumn In New York
(4:25)  4. And She Remembers Me
(3:25)  5. Little Girl Blue
(4:59)  6. Have You Met Miss Jones
(5:13)  7. Tal's Blues
(4:50)  8. Cherokee

A generally relaxed date (only "Cherokee" is uptempo), Tal Farlow's pretty tone and tasteful improvising style are the main reasons to search for this disc. Pianist Gerry Wiggins, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Chico Hamilton offer quiet and swinging support of the great guitarist, who performs two originals ("And She Remembers Me" and "Tal's Blues"), plus six superior standards. All of Farlow's Verve releases of the '50s are recommended. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/autumn-in-new-york-mw0000347284

Personnel:  Tal Farlow – guitar;  Gerry Wiggins – piano;  Ray Brown – bass;  Chico Hamilton – drums

Autumn In New York

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Scott Hamilton - Race Point

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:39
Size: 132,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:07)  1. Groove Yard
(3:51)  2. Chelsea Bridge
(5:26)  3. Race Point
(5:54)  4. Close Enough For Love
(3:52)  5. Oh, Look At Me Now
(7:12)  6. Alone Together
(5:06)  7. I've Just Seen Her
(4:46)  8. Limehouse Blues
(4:20)  9. You're My Thrill
(7:17) 10. You Say You Care
(4:42) 11. The Song Is You

Scott Hamilton is the premier 'mainstream' saxophonist of today. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1954, he came along at the time when the kind of jazz he loved-the small-group swing of such great stylists as Illinois Jacquet and Eddie Lockjaw Davis-was out of fashion, and largely out of the public ear. Scott's handsome sound and impeccable phrasing were a rare commodity among young jazzmen. So when he signed to Concord Records, and began making albums for label boss and mainstream advocate Carl Jefferson, it caused surprise and excitement among both devotees of the style, and in the wider musical world. His first Concord set, [Scott Hamilton is A Good Wind Who IS Blowing Us No Ill] was made in 1977 and took it’s title from an admiring remark from veteran jazz critic Leonard Feather. But it became only the first in a long and memorable series of albums for the label, which now stretches to nearly 30 releases They feature Scoff's playing in all kinds of settings-with small groups, string orchestras, in partnership with such distinguished players as Ruby Braff and Dave McKenna, and in many other situations. The constant is Scoff's creative imagination and the beautiful, honeyed sound he gets out of the tenor saxophone.

While he acknowledges the sidelong influence of players such as John Coltrane, he continues to perform the music he loves, which first brought him into jazz - great ballads and blues, played from the heart, with the timeless virtues of swinging playing underscoring every phrase. A worldwide following of admirers wouldn't have it any other way. Long regarded a consummate interpreter of standards, Scoff Hamilton's big, warm tenor saxophone tone and unerring sense of swing have a way of making every tune he plays uniquely his own. For his latest Concord Jazz outing, Hamilton-with the help of his simpatico group featuring John Bunch (piano), Dave Green (bass), and Steve Brown (drums)-presents some of his very favorite tunes. Tunes which happen to have been penned by other great jazz players, including such legendary jazz musicians/composers as Dave Brubeck, Fats Waller, Illinois Jacquet, Benny Carter, and many others. http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/scotthamilton

Personnel: Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone); Gerry Wiggins (piano); Howard Alden (guitar); Andy Simpkins (bass); Jeff Hamilton (drums).

Race Point

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Gerry Wiggins - Wig Is Here

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 73:17
Size: 167.8 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 2001/2008
Art: Front

[3:21] 1. This Can't Be Love
[3:49] 2. Sysmo Blues
[4:21] 3. Watch What Happens
[2:51] 4. The Lady Is A Tramp
[6:47] 5. Stolen Sweets
[4:09] 6. What Is There To Say
[3:52] 7. On A Clear Day
[6:43] 8. A Beautiful Frienship (This Is The End Of)
[6:20] 9. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
[5:28] 10. Edith Is The Sweetest
[6:08] 11. Lover
[8:17] 12. F B O T
[5:17] 13. Oh ! Give Me Something To Remember You By
[5:48] 14. There Is No Greater Love

This Black & Blue set (which has been reissued on CD with additional selections) was pianist Gerald Wiggins' first recording session as a leader in 13 years even though he was quite active in the Los Angeles area during that time. Recorded in Paris with bassist Major Holley (who has a few solos on which he sings along with his bass) and drummer Ed Thigpen, Wig performs some standards (including "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," "Lover" and "There Is No Greater Love"), obscurities and a couple of originals. The music always swings and has plenty of subtle surprises; worth searching for. ~Scott Yanow

Wig Is Here

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