Ruby Braff - Braff Plays Wimbledon (Second Set)

Album: Braff Plays Wimbledon (Second Set)

Styles: Cornet Jazz
Size: 146,8 MB
Time: 63:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Year: 2007
Art: Front

1. Rockin' Chair ( 4:29)
2. When A Woman Loves A Man ( 5:09)
3. I Cried For You ( 9:26)
4. Pennies From Heaven ( 6:03)
5. Jive At Five (13:30)
6. I'm Pullin' Through ( 5:54)
7. Miss Brown To You ( 5:59)
8. I Know That You Know ( 8:44)
9. Save It, Pretty Mama ( 4:35)

Although cornetist Ruby Braff is joined on this set by flügelhornist Warren Vaché, trombonist Roy Williams, guitarist Howard Alden, pianist Brian Lemon, bassist Dave Green, and drummer Allan Ganley, Vaché's role is, in reality, minor (mostly just ensemble parts with a few short solos), and Williams is only on a few numbers, although he plays very well.

Fortunately, Braff is in prime form throughout, even better here than on The First Set; the phrase "adoration of the melody" (which he coined a few decades ago) perfectly fits his lyrical improvisations. The repertoire consists of veteran standards and the highlights include "I Cried for You," "Pennies from Heaven," and "I Know That You Know," although all nine selections are quite enjoyable.

Braff, a master at utilizing his lower register, sometimes has a musical conversation with himself, jumping between registers. Swing pianist Lemon sounds inspired throughout, while guitarist Alden has a few good spots. A typically rewarding Ruby Braff session. By Scott Yanow
https://www.allmusic.com/album/braff-plays-wimbledon-the-second-set-mw0000441662

Personnel: Ruby Braff - cornet; Brian Lemon - piano; Warren Vaché - flugelhorn; Roy Williams - trombone; Howard Alden - guitar; Dave Green - bass; Allan Ganley - drums

Braff Plays Wimbledon (Second Set)

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Ruby Braff - Braff Plays Wimbledon (First Set)

Album: Braff Plays Wimbledon (First Set)

Styles: Cornet Jazz
Size: 132,2 MB
Time: 57:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Year: 2007
Art: Front

1. Someday Sweetheart ( 4:20)
2. The Very Thought Of You ( 7:42)
3. Wouldn't It Be Loverly ( 5:10)
4. I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling ( 5:14)
5. Take The A Train (14:45)
6. This Is All I Ask ( 5:30)
7. It's The Same Old South ( 3:30)
8. When I Fall In Love ( 5:37)
9. China Boy ( 5:40)

Cornetist Ruby Braff sound fine on this set for the British label Zephyr. Most of the selections find him taking passionate and typically lyrical solos on swing standards in a quintet with pianist Brian Lemon, guitarist Howard Alden, bassist Dave Green and drummer Allan Ganley.

A few numbers add Warren Vache on flugelhorn and trombonist Roy Williams, but perhaps due to too much mutual respect, few fireworks fly. One would hope that Braff and Vache would match wits against each other, but this is largely Braff's show.

Still, the music overall (which is highlighted by "Someday Sweetheart," "I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling" and "China Boy") should please trad jazz and mainstream collectors. By Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/braff-plays-wimbledon-the-first-set-mw0000434487#review

Personnel: Ruby Braff - cornet; Brian Lemon - piano; Warren Vaché - flugelhorn; Roy Williams - trombone; Howard Alden - guitar; Dave Green - bass; Allan Ganley - drums

Braff Plays Wimbledon (First Set)

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Danny Moss, Roy Williams Quintet - Steamers!

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:09
Size: 173,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:17)  1. Just In Time
(7:39)  2. It's Allright With Me
(5:40)  3. Them There Eyes
(4:57)  4. Too Late Now
(4:36)  5. It's A Wonderful World
(5:58)  6. Li'l Darlin'
(5:24)  7. You're My Everything
(3:46)  8. Isn't It Romantic
(6:48)  9. There Is No Greater Love
(4:38) 10. Mood Indigo
(6:06) 11. Hiya
(8:15) 12. Blues To Be There
(4:58) 13. I've Found A New Baby

Britisher Danny Moss and long time side kick, Roy Williams, with their group carry on in the tradition of small group swing recalling those great combos led by John Kirby, Charlie Shavers, Benny Carter, Buck Clayton and many, many others. The Moss/Williams quintet takes us on a stroll through 13 tunes, all but two of them oft-heard standards. The other two tracks, Johnny Hodges' "Hiya" and Duke Ellington's "Blues to Be". The Ellington tune is from his and Billy Strayhorn's "Newport Suite" which they prepared for the 1958 edition of that festival. Moss, until he retired, was a mainstay of the British jazz scene since the 1950's and has performed with many US jazzers when they visited that part of the world. His approach to the tenor sax has been influenced by the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Zoot Sims and Al Cohn. The co-leader of the Quintet, trombonist, Roy Williams, is also a jazz veteran starting his professional career in 1960, and over the years has developed a reputation as an unsurpassed sight reader. His trombone recalls the great ones, Carl Fontana, Frank Rosolino and Lawrence Brown. The other members of the quintet, John Pearce on piano, Len Skeat on bass and Charly Antolini on drums have the task of backing Moss and Williams, which they do with fervor and skill. There's nothing earth shattering on this disk, nor do I suspect was there any intention that there should be. 

The album features comfortable and versatile playing in slow, medium and up tempos for the ensemble work and for Moss' and Williams' solos. Pearce and Skeat are given the opportunity to showcase their wares on a pleasant medium tempo "You're My Everything". "Isn't It Romantic" features Williams playing trombone in the style of Frank Rosolino. Danny Moss' tenor turns sultry and the Williams trombone assumes a languid tone on a very slowly navigated "L'il Darlin'". "Just in Time"," I've Found a New Baby" and "There Is No Greater Love" are given a spirited, but not frantic, reading. Moss and Williams combine for a moving version of "Mood Indigo". They kick off the tune together and then each takes an extended solo with some knowledgeable and sophisticated improvisions on the theme of this lovely tune. Steamers! is an album you'll pull out after a hard day at the office, on the freeway or when entertaining in an intimate setting. This one is recommended. ~ Dave Nathan https://www.allaboutjazz.com/steamers-danny-moss-review-by-dave-nathan.php

Personnel: Danny Moss - Tenor Saxophone; Roy Williams - Trombone; John Pearce - Piano; Len Skeat - Bass; Charly Antolini - Drums

Steamers!

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Eddie Thompson Trio With Roy Williams - When Lights Are Low

Styles: Piano And Trombone Jazz
Year: 1980
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:42
Size: 125,7 MB
Art: Front

(7:04)  1. The Lamp Is Low
(5:39)  2. Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now
(3:36)  3. Never Say Yes
(7:18)  4. When Lights Are Low
(5:44)  5. Don't Stop The Carnival
(5:50)  6. I've Got The World On A String
(6:33)  7. Mister Bojangles
(4:03)  8. Fred
(8:52)  9. It Never Entered My Mind

Born Edgar Charles Thompson, 31 May 1925, London, England, d. 6 November 1986, London, England. Born blind, Thompson learned to play piano as a child. In the late 40s he was active in London clubs, playing with Carlo Krahmer, Vic Feldman and others. In the 50s he played on radio, in studio bands, made records under his own name and with Tony Crombie, Tommy Whittle, Freddy Randall and others and by the end of the decade was house pianist at Ronnie Scott’s club. In the early 60s he went to the USA to live, playing regularly at the Hickory House in New York. Back in the UK in the early 70s, he led a trio that toured extensively and frequently backed visiting American jazzmen, including Buddy Tate, Ruby Braff and Spike Robinson. A dazzlingly inventive player in his early days, Thompson sometimes delivered bravura performances at the expense of feeling but in his maturity he made many memorable appearances at concerts around the UK. He had an enormous repertoire and when in musical sympathy with a guest he could be the best of accompanists. His solo playing was long overlooked by record companies but Alastair Robertson of Hep Records compensated for this with some excellent sessions in the early 80s. Thompson’s death at the age of 61 came when he was at the height of his powers.https://itunes.apple.com/nz/artist/eddie-thompson-trio/id134752047#fullText

Personnel:  Bass – Len Skeat;  Drums – Jim Hall (4);  Piano – Eddie Thompson;  Trombone – Roy Williams (3) (tracks: 2, 9)

When Lights Are Low

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Dick Sudhalter & His London Friends - After Awhile

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:20
Size: 143,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. Dream A Little Dream Of Me
(4:34)  2. Emaline
(4:07)  3. How Could We Be Wrong?
(3:32)  4. Rose Of Washington Square
(4:41)  5. P.S. I Love You
(4:26)  6. After Awhile
(6:09)  7. People Will Say We're In Love
(3:38)  8. Isn't This A Lovely Day?
(5:00)  9. Tea For Two
(4:17) 10. Concentratin'
(4:03) 11. The Blue Room
(3:50) 12. Chasing Shadows
(5:15) 13. My Heart Stood Still
(3:44) 14. The Love Nest

Dick Sudhalter, best known as one of the three writers responsible for one of the great jazz biographies (Bix - Man and Legend), is also a fine trumpeter who has the influence of Bix Beiderbecke fairly well-buried in his own lyrical style. Sudhalter had lived in England during the 1965-75 period, making this get-together (subtitled "& His London Friends") a musical reunion. Sudhalter and 13 other musicians are heard together in different combinations caressing a set of high-quality swing standards. With Keith Nichols (doubling on piano and trombone), altoist John R.T. Davies and trombonists Roy Williams and Jim Shepherd emerging as the top soloists in the supporting cast, Sudhlater sounds quite inspired. Whether it be "Dream a Little Dream of Me," "Tea for Two," "The Blue Room" or "Rose of Washington Square," this is a delightful and very melodic set. ~ Scott Yanow  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/after-awhile-mw0000124909

Personnel: Dick Sudhalter (trumpet, flugelhorn); Chris Ellis (vocals); John R.T. Davies (alto saxophone); Al Gay (tenor saxophone); Jim Shepherd (bass saxophone, trombone); Keith Nichols (trombone, piano); Roy Williams (trombone); Mick Pyne (piano); Nevil Skrimshire (acoustic guitar); Paul Sealey (electric guitar); Dave Green, Jack Fallon (bass); Allan Ganley, Jack Parnell (drums).

After Awhile

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Bill Allred & Roy Williams - Absolutely

Styles: Trombone Jazz

Year: 1995

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 70:20

Size: 161,4 MB

Art: Front

(4:21)  1. Constantly

(8:39)  2. Satin Doll

(4:41)  3. Isn't It A Pity

(5:23)  4. Gypsy In My Soul

(4:33)  5. Too Close For Comfort

(7:13)  6. Blues # 1

(4:17)  7. If There Is Someone Lovelier

(4:16)  8. Absolutely

(5:19)  9. Blue Bones

(4:54) 10. So Beats My Heart For You

(5:31) 11. It's Only A Paper Moon

(2:48) 12. Makin' Whoopee

(4:38) 13. Sometimes I'm Happy

(3:40) 14. You're Driving Me Crazy

Two trombones and rhythm is a tried and true formula first brought to prominence through the lilting sounds of J. J. Johnson and Kai Winding in the 1950s. Bill Allred and Roy Williams fall squarely in that tradition, with this full-length recording that focuses on popular tunes like "It's Only a Paper Moon" and "Too Close for Comfort." The two trombonists produce visceral excitement with their tight harmonies, upbeat tempos, and overall good fun. This is music that makes you want to stand up and dance. When Allred and Williams get hot as they do with great regularity they burn with enthusiasm. 

The trombonists don't take themselves too seriously; they focus on having a rollicking good time. Regardless of how sophisticated your tastes, if you ever wondered what attracted you to jazz in the first place, it very well might have been the kind of unadulterated joy manifested by this glorious quintet. Allred and Williams are pre-modern stylists: big toned, even raucous, but with great technique. They front a first-rate rhythm section, including powerful drummer Butch Miles, bassist (and otherwise sometime trombonist) Isla Eckinger, and pianist Johnny Varro. When they're hot as they are so often (just here 'em blow on "Blues #1") they are unstoppable. Simple, but never simplistic; tasteful, but never dull; professional, but not showy; and hot, but not corny what an act! Highly recommended for all those who love the sounds of the trombone, and those who just like a swinging good time. ~ Steve Loewy  http://www.allmusic.com/album/absolutely-mw0000231550

Personnel: Bill Allred (trombone); Roy Williams (trombone); Johnny Varro (piano); Butch Miles (drums).

Absolutely

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