Dan Barrett And Rebecca Kilgore - "Being A Bear"

Styles: Vocal And Trombone Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:10
Size: 158,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:22) 1. Being A Bear
(5:31) 2. The Jam Song
(5:49) 3. The Music Goes Round And Round
(4:11) 4. This Old Man
(2:36) 5. Copey´s Lament
(2:50) 6. Sing, Sing, Sing
(5:58) 7. Ursa The Blues
(6:52) 8. Mama Don´t Allow
(3:50) 9. Animation
(4:48) 10. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
(3:36) 11. Swingin´ In The Dell
(4:32) 12. Rhythm In My Nursery Rhymes
(4:58) 13. The Isle Of Capri
(4:13) 14. At The Jazz Bears Jamboree
(4:58) 15. Little Man, You´ve Had A Busy Day

There have been many attempts through the years to record a jazz set for children, but usually the music is either too complex or too childish, not achieving its purpose. The music on this particular CD was written to be used for a full-length animated film called The Jazz Bears. Most of the melodies (except for five originals) are pretty familiar and simple, but the solos are topnotch and colorful. The vocals (particularly those of the great Rebecca Kilgore) are swinging and charming. Although the opening, "Being a Bear," may make one think that this CD is only for children, it will be easy for adults who are fans of mainstream swing to enjoy this project. Dan Barrett (who arranged many of the pieces) is a versatile trombonist, and his vocal on "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" is surprisingly effective. Trumpeter Spanky Davis (who has long been underrated) has quite a few hot solos, Scott Robinson (best on baritone and bass sax) is always impressive, and Jim Galloway's soprano is another asset. Recommended, for children and their jazz-loving parents alike.

Musicians: Dan Barrett - leader, trombone and vocals; Spanky Davis - trumpet, vocals; Jim Galloway - soprano sax, baritone sax; - clarinet, baritone sax, bass sax, bass clarinet, alto sax; John Sheridan - piano; Paul Keller - bass; Jeff Hamilton - drums; Rebecca Kilgore - vocals, guitar

Being A Bear

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Doc Cheatham & Rosemary Galloway - Chu Chu Wa Wa

Styles: Vocal, Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:05
Size: 115,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:57)  1. Smokey Mary
(5:26)  2. You're a Sweetheart
(5:58)  3. Under the Moonlight Starlight Blue
(4:11)  4. Two Time Man
(4:09)  5. Quinn And Sonic
(3:23)  6. Eccentric
(5:05)  7. A Shine On Your Shoes
(4:56)  8. Judy
(5:14)  9. Just An Old Manuscript
(3:26) 10. Baby It's Cold Outside
(4:14) 11. Chu Chu Wa Wa

Doc Cheatham was without question the greatest 90-year old trumpeter of all time; in fact, no brass player over the age of 80 had ever played with his power, range, confidence, and melodic creativity. Most trumpeters fade while in their 60s due to the physical difficulty of their instrument, but Cheatham did not truly find himself as a soloist until he was nearly 70. Doc Cheatham's career reaches back to the early '20s, when he played in vaudeville theaters backing such traveling singers as Bessie Smith and Clara Smith. He moved to Chicago, recorded with Ma Rainey (on soprano sax), played with Albert Wynn, subbed for Louis Armstrong (his main idol), and had his own group in 1926. After stints with Wilbur DeParis and Chick Webb, he toured Europe with Sam Wooding. Due to his wide range and pretty tone, Cheatham worked as a non-soloing first trumpeter with McKinney's Cotton Pickers and Cab Calloway throughout the 1930s. 

He spent time with Teddy Wilson's big band, and was with the commercially successful Eddie Heywood Sextet (backing Billie Holiday on some recordings). In the 1950s, Cheatham alternated between Dixieland (Wilbur DeParis, guest spots with Eddie Condon) and Latin bands (Perez Prado, Herbie Mann). He was with Benny Goodman during 1966-1967, but it was not until the mid-'70s that Cheatham felt truly comfortable as a soloist. Duet sets with pianist Sammy Price launched his new career, and until his death in 1997, he recorded fairly prolifically including dates for Sackville, New York Jazz, Parkwood, Stash, GHB, Columbia, and several European labels. Cheatham was also a charming singer whose half-spoken, half-sung vocals took nothing away from his chance-taking trumpet flights. Bio ~ https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/doc-cheatham/id130548#fullText
 

Personnel: Doc Cheatham (vocals, trumpet); Rosemary Galloway (vocals); Jane Fair (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Jim Galloway (soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone); Sarah McElcheran (trumpet); Norman Amadio (piano); Don Vickery (drums).

Chu Chu Wa Wa

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Jim Galloway - Echoes of Swing

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:08
Size: 157,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:30)  1. Sometimes I'm Happy
(6:44)  2. Jeepers Creepers
(7:57)  3. Cheek to Cheek
(5:55)  4. Just Squeeze Me
(8:18)  5. Christopher Columbus
(7:28)  6. Blue Turning Grey Over You
(6:04)  7. Sugar
(6:53)  8. In My Solitude
(6:01)  9. I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll
(7:13) 10. Runnin' Wild

There has been much discussion recently at the Kentonia (fans of Stan Kenton) web site about swing what it is (and isn’t), how one can identify and/or define it, does it mean the same thing to different people, and so on. May I suggest that those who’ve not yet gotten their hands around the topic pick up a copy of this delightful session by Canadian-bred saxophonist Jim Galloway’s six-member group, Echoes of Swing, which does precisely that from pillar to post, stem to stern and all stops in between. Galloway, who was only a little tad when the Swing Era was in bloom, learned about it by playing alongside such swing masters as Buck Clayton, Yank Lawson, Buddy Tate and the irrepressible Jay McShann. The ensemble he leads here is an outgrowth of The Metro Stompers, co-led by Galloway and journalist/drummer Paul Rimstead, which has performed for many years (since 1974, actually) on Caribbean cruises sponsored by Brotherton’s Travel. This album, the group’s first recording on dry land, was taped last year for an appreciative audience at the Montreal Bistro nightclub in Toronto. A group photo in the booklet shows five grey  to white haired gentlemen and one (bassist Dave Field) whose hair hasn’t yet turned to silver. Clearly, these chaps have been around the block a time or two and it shows. They approach each of these venerable themes as if it were brand new and being performed for the first time. The result is a concert that is deceptively laid back and mellow yet swings at every tempo, reminiscent of the similarly swing-based albums that appear regularly on the Arbors and Nagel-Heyer labels. 

After opening with three well-known standards, the group turns to music by Ellington (“Just Squeeze Me,” “In My Solitude”), Fats Waller (“Blue Turning Grey Over You”) and a trio of Swing Era favorites, “Christopher Columbus,” “Sugar” and “Runnin’ Wild.” The other tune, “I Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll,” is the only one the ensemble plays at every gig, as it was a special favorite of the late Jack Britton who founded Brotherton’s Travel and suggested to Rimstead that he host a Jazz group on the Caribbean cruises that Brotherton’s was sponsoring on the Holland America line. While all of the soloists are first class (trombonist Bower is featured all the way on “Solitude”), Galloway is positively awesome on soprano or baritone (“Jeepers Creepers,” “Christopher Columbus”), displaying an elegance on the former that reminds one of such Swing Era (alto) giants as Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges or Marshall Royal (with traces of another of the great ones, best known as a tenor saxophonist, Zoot Sims). The vocalist on “Sugar” and “Jelly Roll” isn’t identified, so I assume that’s Galloway too. A thoroughly pleasurable concert session that does what it sets out to do, and that is swing. ~ Jack Bowers https://www.allaboutjazz.com/echoes-of-swing-jim-galloway-cornerstone-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel: Jim Galloway, soprano, baritone sax; Dave Johnston, trumpet; Laurie Bower, trombone; Ian Bargh, piano; Dave Field, bass; Don Vickery, drums.

Echoes of Swing

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Jim Galloway - Music Is My Life (2-Disc Set)

This a two-CD set of Canadian multi-reed player Jim Galloway's performances at various Toronto jazz venues initially issued on LPs, but no longer available. Jim Galloway teams with two pianists, Dick Wellstood and then Jay McShann, before joining with trumpet and clarinet player Humphrey Lyttelton, England's consummate purveyor of New Orleans traditional music. The session with Wellstood includes tunes usually associated with New Orleans and other traditional jazz, and Galloway and Wellstood perform them admirably. Traditional New Orleans played in a low-key manner is the feature on their get-together. The only problem is that on a couple of cuts, such as "Blues Alley Bump," Pete Magadini sounds as if he's using a club rather than a stick on the drums, making for some unpleasant thumping. The work with McShann shows Galloway's versatility as they move away somewhat from the traditional jazz mode and direct their efforts toward more of the classic standards. Given McShann's musical bent, there is a bluesier feeling to this set than the set with Wellstood. One of the highlights is their poignant, delicate version of "Black Butterfly." Galloway's soprano sax is expressive, capturing Ellington's fluttering, wafting, delicate image in this 1938 composition.

Again showing his dexterity, Galloway fits right into the style of Britain's premiere revivalist of traditional music, Humphrey Lyttelton. All the cuts here are written by the British musician and reflect his perception of what trad jazz really means. It comes with a strong Louis Armstrong flavor. His compositions reveal that, at least on this occasion, the music takes on a more sophisticated mien than one usually hears in the New Orleans style. Listen to "Caribana Queen" where, as the title suggests, there is a Caribbean flavor mixed in with the New Orleans gumbo. It creates the image of a Crescent City band marching down the street with a little more swagger in their hips.

This release restores to jazz fans three albums that have long been unavailable, in an attractive package with more than two hours of music. Music Is My Life shows the many facets of Galloway's talent as he teams nicely and comfortably with jazz artists who are all worthy of these mutual collaborations. Highly recommended. ~David Nathan

Album: Music Is My Life (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:31
Size: 163.7 MB
Styles: Swing, New Orleans jazz
Year: 2001

[3:21] 1. Minor Drag
[4:25] 2. Lulu's Back In Town
[3:25] 3. Broken Windmill
[6:23] 4. Sunday Morning
[4:29] 5. Blues Alley Bump
[5:58] 6. After You've Gone
[4:38] 7. Buddy Bolden's Blues
[3:51] 8. I'd Climb The Highest Mountain
[4:42] 9. Let's Get Away From It All
[5:28] 10. Everything I've Got
[4:27] 11. Thou Swell
[5:05] 12. Someone To Watch Over Me
[5:23] 13. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
[5:19] 14. Black Butterfly
[4:31] 15. Sweet Sue

Music Is My Life (Disc 1)

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Album: Music Is My Life (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:18
Size: 160.9 MB
Styles: Swing, New Orleans jazz
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[8:19] 1. I've Got The World On A String
[4:13] 2. Just A Gigolo
[5:16] 3. Humoresque
[8:37] 4. I Only Have Eyes For You
[5:02] 5. It's A Thing
[7:50] 6. Sprauncy
[4:50] 7. Squiggles
[5:06] 8. Looking For Turner
[4:24] 9. Rain
[5:13] 10. Lady Jekyll And Mistress Hyde
[6:50] 11. Leisure Palace
[4:32] 12. Caribana Queen

Music Is My Life (Disc 2)

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Ed Polcer-Jim Galloway Big Five - At The Ball

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:56
Size: 167.0 MB
Styles: Swing, New Orleans jazz
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[6:17] 1. At The Ball
[6:43] 2. Look For The Silver Lining
[5:08] 3. Song Of The Wanderer
[5:14] 4. I Cried For You
[7:44] 5. Tishomingo Blues
[6:06] 6. Seems Like Old Times
[3:41] 7. Doin' The New Low-Down
[6:23] 8. Judy
[5:40] 9. This Can't Be Love
[4:22] 10. Of All The Wrongs You've Done To Me
[5:21] 11. Roses Of Picardy
[5:49] 12. Too Late Now
[4:21] 13. When My Dreamboat Comes Home

Ed Polcer, cornet; Jim Galloway, soprano sax; Mark Shane, piano; Dick Waldburger, bass; and Joe Ascione, drums.

Ed Polcer is a consistently creative cornetist who has a knack for putting together first- rate bands. His playing and generous spirit are part of what makes At the Ball such an appealing recording. Polcer is joined on the marquee by Scotland born soprano saxophonist Jim Galloway as the Ed Polcer - Jim Galloway Big Five. Both Polcer and Galloway are well known pros in the dixie/swing world. Both also compliment each other musically, demonstrating a fine, vigorous rapport throughout. The tone combination of cornet and soprano sax is a treat especially during their intertwining solos and rapid exchanges. The third "old pro" of the group, Dick Waldburger on bass, is the solid ground beat of all the action. His rapport with his fellow rhythm section players is a highlight of the session. The youngsters of the group, Mark Shane on piano, and Joe Ascione on drums, are outstanding. Ascione is one of the most exciting drummers of the traditional jazz world. His solos are concise and intense, and his accompaniment is persistently imaginative. Check out his solo work on "This Can't Be Love." Few drummers have the combination of taste and touch that Ascione routinely displays.
Mark Shane has become so good of an accompanist and soloist that it's easy to take him for granted. He's a team player who often sets everyone else up with a subtle solo, and then provides intricately swinging comping that brings out the best in everyone. This is exactly what happens on "Doin' The New Low Down." This tune is also as interesting for Polcer's and Galloway's soloing as it is for the interaction of Shane & Ascione & Waldburger. Take a careful listen to Shane's highly intuitive rapport with Polcer on full display throughout their duet on Hoagy Carmichael's poignant composition "Judy."

Ah, to sit back and listen to a fine band play a long line-up of great old tunes - what more could a jazz fan want? At the Ball fits the bill, and is highly recommended. ~Mike Neely

At The Ball

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Allan Vaché & Jim Galloway - Raisin' The Roof

Styles: Clarinet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:12
Size: 147,6 MB
Art: Front

(7:56)  1. When I Grow Too Old To Dream
(3:28)  2. Cakewalkin' Babies From Home
(9:03)  3. Dream
(4:00)  4. Raisin' The Roof
(4:25)  5. Oh, Sister, Ain't That Hot
(3:49)  6. The Very Thought Of You
(4:39)  7. Lullaby In Rhythm
(4:27)  8. Hymn To Freedom
(4:40)  9. San
(4:31) 10. Si Tu Vois Ma Mere
(3:22) 11. Shag
(9:45) 12. Make Me A Pallet On The Floor

Trad jazz lovers are going to be quite pleased with the combination of American clarinetist Vache and Scottish-born, longtime resident of Canada, soprano saxophonist Galloway. It's like having two Sidney Bechets, or a comparable Bob Wilber-Kenny Davern pair in the house, swinging until they've exhausted the possibilities. Pianist John Bunch, bassist Michael Moore, guitarist Howard Alden, and drummer Jake Hanna make the ultimate rhythmic team behind Vache and Galloway they can do no wrong. Of the 12 standard selections, two are from Bechet's book: The emotionally introspective "Si Tu Vois Ma Mere" gives sway to the clearly defined clarinet-soprano amalgam, but also gives solo space to Bunch and especially to the daunting Moore; "Shag" is a rousing swinger that lets the band cut loose without hesitation. 

There's a nod of the fedora to Benny Goodman with considerable interplay, and more evidence to the compatibility of the horns on the delightful "Lullaby in Rhythm." Jimmy Noone is feted on the uptempo swing battle "Oh Sister, Ain't That Hot," while "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" has been, and remains, the ideal Dixie-to-swing jam vehicle that sounds like the combatants are merely getting warmed to the task, though they start out in fourth gear. Of the older material is the early '20s swinger "San" done with the energy of today, featuring a counterpointed joust where Galloway wins out with the last word. "Cakewalking Babies From Home" (c. 1925) is a barnburner as Vache and Galloway alone set the tune ablaze. The quaint title cut, penned in 1929, is one of five arrangements on the date by Randy Sandke, with Alden loading up his plate during his solo and the reeds sharing sonic space. 

The listener can't help but think of Donovan's "I Love My Shirt" when listening to this. The most contemporary number is Oscar Peterson's gospel-flavored feature for Vache "Hymn to Freedom," while Galloway gets sole spotlight during the ballad "The Very Thought of You." At their most conversational, Vache and Galloway trade melody snippets back and forth for Johnny Mercer's  "Dream," while the band collectively stretches out over nearly ten minutes on a loping, languid take of "Make Me a Pallet on the Floor." Modern recordings of early period jazz can be overly nostalgic, but the spirit of Vache and Galloway transcends everything. Great music made by great musicians equals a must-buy for fans of this alive-and-well style. ~ Michael G.Nastos  http://www.allmusic.com/album/raisin-the-roof-mw0000604398

Personnel: Allan Vache (clarinet); Jim Galloway (soprano saxophone); John Bunch (piano); Howard Alden (guitar); Michael Moore (bass); Jake Hanna (drums).

Raisin' The Roof

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Bob Barnard & Jim Galloway - What's New

Styles: Cornet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:02
Size: 144,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:59)  1. I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling
(7:05)  2. You Are My Lucky Star
(5:57)  3. What's New
(5:43)  4. Marie
(6:04)  5. The Last Time I Saw Paris
(5:30)  6. I May Be Wrong
(6:13)  7. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
(7:20)  8. There'll Be Some Changes Made
(7:42)  9. Wabash Blues
(5:24) 10. Yearning

This Swiss concert matches together the hot Australian cornetist Bob Barnard with the Canadian soprano saxophonist Jim Galloway and a top-notch Swiss rhythm section comprised of pianist Henri Chaix, bassist Isla Eckinger and drummer Romano Cavicchiolo. Although they mostly perform swing standards, the music is closer to Dixieland than swing with many freewheeling ensembles. Barnard is in generally good form and the highlights include "I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling," "Marie," "I May Be Wrong," "There'll Be Some Changes Made" and the often-overlooked tune "Yearning." Listening to this very coherent and swinging music, it is impressive to note that Barnard and Galloway had never played together before. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/whats-new-mw0000414819

Personnel: Bob Barnard (cornet); Jim Galloway (soprano saxophone); Henri Chaix (piano); Romano Cavicchiolo (drums).

What's New

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Ralph Sutton, Jim Galloway, Don Vickery - Pocketful Of Dreams

Styles: Piano And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:54
Size: 151,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:34)  1. Sleep
(7:50)  2. Farewell Blues
(7:33)  3. Sweet And Slow
(6:05)  4. Blue Skies
(4:54)  5. I've Got a Pocket Full of Dreams
(7:01)  6. You've Changed
(5:59)  7. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
(7:12)  8. Poor Butterfly
(6:49)  9. If Dreams Come True
(6:51) 10. She's Funny That Way

Ralph Sutton was the greatest stride pianist to emerge since World War II, with his only close competitors being the late Dick Wellstood and the very versatile Dick Hyman. Nearly alone in his generation, Sutton kept alive the piano styles of Fats Waller and James P. Johnson, not as mere museum pieces but as devices for exciting improvisations. Although sticking within the boundaries of his predecessors, Sutton infused the music with his own personality; few could match his powerful left hand. Ralph Sutton played with Jack Teagarden's big band briefly in 1942 before serving in the Army. After World War II he appeared regularly on Rudi Blesh's This Is Jazz radio show and spent eight years as the intermission pianist at Eddie Condon's club, recording frequently. He spent time playing in San Francisco, worked for Bob Scobey, moved to Aspen in the mid-'60s, and became an original member of the World's Greatest Jazz Band with Yank Lawson, Bob Haggart, and Bud Freeman. 

In the 1970s, he recorded many exciting albums for the Chaz label and then cut albums for quite a few labels. Despite suffering a stroke in the early '90s, Sutton kept a busy schedule through the mid-'90s, playing at jazz parties and festivals. He died suddenly on December 29, 2001, in his car outside a restaurant in Evergreen, CO. Although he would have received much greater fame if he had been born 20 years earlier and come to maturity during the 1930s rather than the 1950s, at the time of his death it was obvious that Ralph Sutton had earned his place among the top classic jazz pianists of all time. ~ Bio  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ralph-sutton/id1579569#fullText

An excellent swing soprano player with a lighter tone than Sidney Bechet, Jim Galloway has made many recordings with like-minded veterans. He played locally in Scotland on clarinet and alto before emigrating to Canada in 1965. He soon began specializing on soprano, led the Metro Stompers (1968), put together the Wee Big Band (1978), and hosted the weekly jazz radio program Toronto Alive! (1981-1987). Galloway, who has appeared at many jazz festivals and jazz parties, has recorded for Sackville, Hep, and Music & Arts along with several smaller Canadian labels with such pianists as Dick Wellstood, Art Hodes, and most often with Jay McShann. ~ Bio  https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/jim-galloway/id110727063

Personnel: Ralph Sutton (piano); Jim Galloway (soprano saxophone); Don Vickery (drums).

Pocketful Of Dreams

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