Saturday, June 28, 2025

Carmell Jones Quartet - Previously Unreleased Los Angeles Session

Styles: Cool Jazz, Hard Bop
Year: 2015
Time: 65:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 151,7 MB
Art: Front

(7:27) 1. Willow Weep For Me
(6:01) 2. If I Love Again
(6:26) 3. Ruby
(5:14) 4. For Every Man There's A Woman
(4:44) 5. Baubles, Bangles And Beads
(9:06) 6. Airegin
(9:29) 7. Willow Weep For Me (Alternate Take)
(7:07) 8. If I Love Again (Alternate Take)
(5:52) 9. Ruby (Alternate Take)
(4:15) 10. For Every Man There's A Woman (Alternate Take)

In August 1960, 24-year old trumpet player Carmell Jones left his Kansas City home-town and hopped a bus to Los Angeles, intent on hitting the West Coast jazz scene. There, his impact was immediate and would prove to be memorable. He was quickly part of a quartet with pianist Forrest Westbrook, bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Bill Schwemmer.

They rehearsed at Westbrooks apartment at 2021 Sta. Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, where this unreleased material was recorded at the end of that month. It was an amazing session, in which Carmell, oozing confidence and assertiveness, demonstrated a fresh, virile and imaginative style, with a warm ballad tone and an authoritatively implacable swing at up tempo. The highly responsive rhythm section locked right on him all the way, and also revealed Forrest Westbrook as a highly talented and sensitive pianist, with an advanced concept of improvisation, and a built-in propensity for swinging hard. Along with the pungently powerful Peacock and the driving Schwemmer, they provided an ideally vigorous support for Carmell Jones, who, unbelievably soon, would come to be regarded as among the finest trumpeters on the West Coast. These never before released recordings, his first on the Coast, show why.
(https://www.amazon.com/Carmell-Quartet-Previously-Unreleased-Angeles/dp/B00XUONS98)

Personnel: Carmell Jones (tp), Forrest Westbrook (p), Gary Peacock (b), Bill Schwemmer (d)

Carmell Jones Quartet. Previously Unreleased Los Angeles Session

Big Miller - Did You Ever Hear The Blues? + Revelations And The Blues (2 LP on 1 CD)

Styles: Rhythm & Blues
Year: 2012
Time: 71:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 166,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:03) 1. Five O'Clock Blues
(3:48) 2. Lament
(2:49) 3. Did You Ever Hear the Blues?
(2:47) 4. Tired As I Can Be
(4:19) 5. Good Old Guy
(2:55) 6. Mr. Blues Child
(5:05) 7. Red Sun Blues
(2:25) 8. Mojo Blues
(3:09) 9. Cool Saturday Night
(3:05) 10. Got to Live
(3:41) 11. Wee Small Hours
(4:51) 12. About My Baby
(3:18) 13. I Know
(2:23) 14. Lament to Love
(2:42) 15. The Monterey Story
(4:20) 16. I Never Had a Woman
(3:43) 17. Wanna See My Baby
(2:52) 18. When You're not Around
(3:13) 19. It's a Hard Life
(3:40) 20. Sweet Slumber
(3:59) 21. If You Don't Love Me

Did You Ever Hear the Blues? / Revelations and the Blues

Clarence H. Miller, known to his friends as Big, was one of the most impressive new blues singers on the late Fifties scene. With a childhood background of church singing and piano and trombone studies, he became a professional musician in 1946 after Army service, when he led a band touring with a repertoire largely based on Louis Jordan jump numbers, before switching to bass and joining Jay McShanns earthy, Kansas City based outfit. Influenced by Walter Brown and Joe Turner, he started singing blues with the band and moved to Chicago and Cincinatti, forming a group with trombonist Al Grey which went to Texas. A year touring the small Texas towns honed his gift for blues singing and a move to New York led to his big breakthrough.

He made a debut LP, Did you ever hear the blues?, for United Artists, went with Nat Pierces band into Birdland and then, through singer Jon Hendricks, was invited to the 1960 Monterey Jazz Festival. That led to Hollywood. Stints at Shelly Mannes celebrated club and an album, Revelation and the Blues, with Ben Webster confirmed his status as a front-rank blues singer with a unique style which was influenced by bop.

Tracks #1-11 from the 12" LP "Did You Ever Hear The Blues" (United Artists UAS 6047)
Tracks #12-21 from the 12" LP
"Revelations And The Blues" (Columbia CS 8411)

Personnel on "Did You Ever Hear The Blues": "Big" Miller (vcl), with orchestra arranged and
conducted by Budd Johnson. Associate arranger: Jimmy Jones

Tracks #1,5,7 & 9: Pat Brooks (tp), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Phil Woods (as), Zoot Sims (ts), Al Cohn (bs), Jimmy Jones (p), Chuck Wayne, Turk Van Lake (g), Chet Amsterdam (b) and Elvin Jones (d).

Tracks #2-4,8 & 10: Pat Brooks (tp), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Phil Woods (as), Zoot Sims (ts), Sol Schlinger (bs), Jimmy Jones (p), Everett Barksdale, Kenny Burrell (g), Chet Amsterdam (b) and Jo Jones (d).

Tracks #6 & 11: Pat Brooks (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Phil Woods (as), Zoot Sims (ts), Jimmy Jones (p), Billy Bauer, Barry Galbraith (g), Chet Amsterdam (b) and Gus Johnson (d).

Recorded in New York City, May, 1959.

Personnel on "Revelations And The Blues"

"Big" Miller (vcl), accompanied by

Tracks #16,19,20 & 21: Ben Webster (ts), Gildo Mahones (p), Bobby Gibbons (g), Ike Isaacs (b) and Jimmy Wormworth (d).
Tracks #12-15,17 & 18: Plas Johnson (ts), Ernie Freeman (p), Jim Hall (g), Red Mitchell (b) and Frank Butler (d).
Recorded in Los Angeles, on October 18 (#16,19,20 & 21), and November 8 (#12-15,17 & 18), 1960.


Friday, June 27, 2025

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross - The Hottest New Group In Jazz Disc 1 And Disc 2

Album: The Hottest New Group In Jazz Disc 1

Styles: Vocal 
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:22
Size: 140,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:18)  1. Charleston Alley
(2:33)  2. Moanin'
(2:17)  3. Twisted
(3:15)  4. Bijou
(2:15)  5. Cloudburst
(2:26)  6. Centerpiece
(2:57)  7. Gimme That Wine
(3:48)  8. Sermonette
(1:43)  9. Summertime
(4:10) 10. Everybody's Boppin'
(2:55) 11. Cottontail
(3:27) 12. All Too Soon
(1:18) 13. Happy Anatomy
(3:09) 14. Rocks In My Bed
(2:53) 15. Main Stem
(3:29) 16. I Don't Know What Kind Of Blues I've Got
(2:48) 17. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
(2:32) 18. Midnight Indigo
(2:59) 19. What Am I Here For?
(3:28) 20. In A Mellow Tone - Vocal Version
(2:33) 21. Caravan

Album: The Hottest New Group In Jazz Disc 2

Time: 61:18
Size: 142,6 MB

(5:26)  1. Come On Home
(3:05)  2. The New A B C
(2:32)  3. Farmer's Market
(3:07)  4. Cookin' At The Continental
(2:48)  5. With Malice Toward None
(3:44)  6. Hi-Fly
(4:26)  7. Home Cookin'
(2:18)  8. Halloween Spooks
(4:48)  9. Popity Pop
(3:50) 10. Blue
(3:17) 11. Mr. P. C.
(2:14) 12. Walkin'
(4:06) 13. This Here (Dis Hyunh)
(5:19) 14. Swingin' Till The Girls Come Home
(2:22) 15. Twist City
(2:22) 16. Just A little Bit of Twist
(2:43) 17. A Night In Tunisia
(2:43) 18. A Night In Tunisia - Alternate Version

The immortal vocal jazz group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross recorded five albums during its career: one apiece for Impulse! and World Pacific and three for Columbia. This two-CD set has all of the music from LH&R's Columbia dates (The Hottest Group in Jazz, Sing Ellington, and High Flying), plus four previously unissued and three very obscure selections. Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks, and Annie Ross were all very talented jazz singers as individuals, and were masters of vocalese. Virtually every one of their performances was special and, in the long run, influential. With assistance from the Gildo Mahones Trio, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison (on the earliest album), and altoist Pony Poindexter (during the seven bonus tracks), the vocal group is heard in memorable form throughout the two-fer. Among the many highlights are "Twisted," "Cloudburst," Hendricks' hilarious "Gimme That Wine," "Everybody's Boppin'," "Cotton Tail," "All Too Soon," "Main Stem," "Farmer's Market," "Cookin' at the Continental," "Halloween Spooks," and "Popity Pop." Essential music for all serious jazz collections. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-hottest-new-group-in-jazz-compilation-mw0000079757


Booker Ervin - Booker And Brass

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:58
Size: 115,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. East Dallas Special
(4:29)  2. I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City
(4:31)  3. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
(5:06)  4. L.A. After Dark - Master Take-6
(3:22)  5. Kansas City
(4:39)  6. Baltimore Oriole
(4:21)  7. Harlem Nocturne
(4:16)  8. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
(4:13)  9. St. Louis Blues
(5:12) 10. L.A. After Dark - Alt. Take-3
(5:04) 11. L.A. After Dark - Alt. Take-7

To hear Booker Ervin as the leading solo voice on a recording with a larger ensemble is a treat, not only for his fans, but for those interested in modern big-band sounds grown from the bop era that are flavored with urban blues. A trio of different sessions done at Webster Hall in New York City features groups ranging from ten to eleven pieces, with personnel switched up, and no supplemental saxophonists. Freddie Hubbard is the only other soloist besides Ervin, the trombone section features top-rate players Bennie Green, Britt Woodman, and Garnett Brown, and the rhythm section of pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Reggie Johnson, and drummer Lenny McBrowne is as solid as can be. The session is based entirely on themes dedicated to major cities in the U.S. ~ Michael G.Nastos https://www.allmusic.com/album/booker-n-brass-mw0000041557

Personnel: Booker Ervin - tenor saxophone; Martin Banks (tracks 1-3, 5, 7 & 8), Johnny Coles (tracks 1, 2 & 5), Ray Copeland, Freddie Hubbard (tracks 3, 4 & 6-11), Charles Tolliver (tracks 4, 6 & 9-11), Richard Williams - trumpet; Garnett Brown (tracks 3, 4 & 6-11), Bennie Green, Britt Woodman (tracks 1, 2 & 5) - trombone; Benny Powell (tracks 1-3, 5, 7 & 8) - bass trombone; Kenny Barron - piano; Reggie Johnson - bass; Lenny McBrowne - drums; Teddy Edwards - arranger, conductor

Booker And Brass

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

The Dave Glasser/Clark Terry/Barry Harris Project - Uh! Oh!

Styles: Jazz
Year: 1999
Time: 66:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 152,9 MB
Art: Front

(7:12) 1. Uh! Oh!
(4:45) 2. Bye-Yard
(6:15) 3. A Touch Of Kin
(6:06) 4. Intimacy Of The Blues
(5:07) 5. Blue Rose
(4:23) 6. Charise
(3:54) 7. 52nd Street Theme
(5:15) 8. Fuh
(4:36) 9. The Nearness Of You
(5:29) 10. Et
(5:11) 11. Tranquillity
(5:15) 12. Powell's Prance
(3:03) 13. Jumpin' At The Woodside

Uh! Oh! joins Wycliffe Gordon's Slidin' Home (N-H 2001) and Byron Stripling's StriplingNow! as the third in the Nagel-Heyer 2000 series of contemporary mainstream jazz. Known principally for documenting the traditional mainstream of Louis Armstrong, the Hamburg-based Nagel-Heyer spreads its considerable wings with this series. Uh! Oh! is the most fully realized contemporary offering to date from the label, showcasing the considerable composition talents of altoist Dave Glasser. Adding old timers Clark Terry and Barry Harris elevate these sides into a superstar stratosphere.

The results are purely empathic, the principals all interacting at the same high level that provides the listener a truly pleasurable experience, particularly on the ballads. But don't think the slow stuff will slow you down, Glass and company can play Bebop ("52nd Street Theme) and can otherwise swing (title track, "the Nearness of You"). Roy Hargrove is beautiful on the Glasser-penned ballad "Charise" (obviously gearing up for his own Verve ballad offering). All in all, a most interesting recording with plenty of swing and romance. By C. Michael Bailey
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/uh-oh-david-glasser-review-by-c-michael-bailey

Personnel: Dave Glasser: Alto Saxophone; Clark Terry Trumpet, Flugelhorn; Harry Harris: Piano; Benny Powell: Trombone; Frank Wes: Tenor Saxophone; Peter Washington: Bass; Curtis Boyd: Drums; Roy Hargrove: Trumpet, Flugelhorn.

Uh!Oh!

OH HAPPY DAY!


Sunday, June 22, 2025

Caterina Valente & Chet Baker - I'll Remember April + Bonus Track

Styles: Lounge, Vocal
Year: 2014
Time: 77:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 179,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:53) 1. I'll Remember April
(3:19) 2. I Get a Kick out of You
(2:14) 3. Baker '56
(3:10) 4. Good Morning Blues
(3:29) 5. Marilyn
(3:10) 6. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
(3:08) 7. Isn't It Romantic?
(2:31) 8. All of Me
(3:07) 9. Lullaby in Rhythm
(2:48) 10. Them There Eyes
(2:39) 11. I Should Care
(3:14) 12. Stairway to the Stars
(2:26) 13. Secret Love
(3:39) 14. Autumn in New York
(3:12) 15. Every Time We Say Goodbye
(3:21) 16. It Never Entered My Mind
(3:44) 17. C'est Si Bon
(4:05) 18. Everything Happens to Me
(2:47) 19. Stormy Weather
(3:55) 20. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
(2:22) 21. Pennies from Heaven
(2:30) 22. They Can't Take That Away from Me
(3:06) 23. Bockhanal
(2:26) 24. You Better Go Now
(4:16) 25. Arrivederci

I'll Remember April

Combined here is the remarkable voice and singing style of Caterina Valente and the lyrical and intimate trumpet of Chet Baker, in a collection of swinging and romantic performances recorded in Germany during the 50s.

Caterina Valente was a singer who belonged among musicians, and she was enough of a musician herself to understand the nuances of harmonic changes that played a large role in jazz. She played guitar, worked with jazz combos, and liked to indulge occasionally in a spot of vocalese, three aspects of her talent that made her the most popular girl singer in Europe.

Chet Baker was the new American trumpet sensation when he visited Germany for the first time in September 1955 with his quartet. A month later, Valente joined his quartet for a concert in Stuttgart, and their musical feeling generated quite a stir among German jazz fans. They even were offered to make a film together, which unfortunately never happened. The only documented meeting of both artists was resumed on a recording session in March 1956, when they joined-in for two lovely and rewarding duet songsIll Remember April and Every Time We Say Goodbyethat came out on a single on the German Brunswick label, both included in this set.

The other exciting performances here display Caterina Valente in her widest, most colorful range. Her performances, and most of those featuring Chet Baker, are further distinguished by the masterful accompaniment of Kurt Edelhagen and his orchestra and, in the case of Chet Baker, also by the studio orchestra of Rolf-Hans Müller.

The music, both emotionally and melodically interesting, is well served by all concerned.

Tracks #1 & 15: Caterina Valente, vocals & guitar & Chet Baker, trumpet. Recorded in Baden-Baden, March 26, 1956

Tracks #2,4,6,8,10,12,13,17,19,21,22: Caterina Valente, vocals, with Kurt Edelhagens Orchestra. Recorded in Köln and Baden-Baden, 1954-1958

Tracks #3,9,16,18: Chet Baker, trumpet, with Kurt Edelhagens Orchestra. Recorded in Baden-Baden, 1956

Tracks #5,7,11,14,20: Chet Baker with orchestra conducted by Rolf-Hans Müller. Recorded in Baden-Baden, 1959

Track #23: Chet Baker Quartet, with Kurt Edelhagens Orchestra. Recorded at Jazztime Mainz, Kurfürstliches Schloss, September 20, 1955

Track #24: Caterina Valente, vocals, accompanied by Francis Coppieters, piano. Recorded in Köln, May, 1958

Track #25: Chet Baker with orchestra conducted by Piero Umiliani (From the Italian movie Urlatori alla sbarra1960)

Bud Shank & Rein de Graaf - Alone Together

Styles: West Coast Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2000
Time: 68:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 157,7 MB
Art: Front

(10:20) 1. Alone Together
(13:23) 2. I Can't Get Started
(12:21) 3. On the Trail
(11:39) 4. My Funny Valentine
(10:24) 5. What's New
(10:31) 6. Stella By Starlight

Alone Together

The six tracks on this record give a quiet, masterful demonstration of how to sing without a rhythm section. Almost of the tunes are ballads,originally. But Rein and Bud decided to change the tempos. This music was recorded before a small, select audience in a living room-like studio with no room for more musicians. When Rein told Bud that the bassist and the drummer had a day off, he was a bit sceptical at first. A duo would that work? But weeks later, while listening to the tapes, he reacted enthusiastically. This is a great stuff, man!-Jeroen de Walk (from the liner-notes)

Personnel:
Bud Shank (as), Rein de Graaf (p)
Recorded at Pinehill Studio, Leersum, Holand, December 12, 2000. 

Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come

The Shape of Jazz to Come CD 1
Styles: Free Jazz
Year: 2021
Time: 73:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 170,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:03) 1. Lonely Woman
(4:25) 2. Eventually
(9:05) 3. Peace
(6:53) 4. Focus on Sanity
(6:49) 5. Congeniality
(6:08) 6. Chronology
(5:59) 7. Monk and the Nun
(3:52) 8. Just for You
(6:40) 9. Ramblin'
(6:24) 10. Free
(7:00) 11. The Face of the Bass
(5:16) 12. Forerunner

The Shape of Jazz to Come CD 1

The Shape of Jazz to Come CD 2
Styles: Free Jazz
Year: 2021
Time: 75:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 174,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:33) 1. Bird Food
(6:03) 2. Una Muy Bonita
(4:43) 3. Change of the Century
(5:32) 4. Music Always
(4:54) 5. Crossroads
(4:18) 6. Invisible
(4:50) 7. The Blessing
(7:25) 8. Jayne
(5:44) 9. Chippie
(2:53) 10. The Disguise
(4:25) 11. Angel Voice
(4:17) 12. Alpha
(5:05) 13. When Will the Blues Leave?
(4:21) 14. The Sphinx
(5:05) 15. Tears Inside


Presented here are three seminal albums by the great Ornette Coleman (1930-2015): The Shape of Jazz to Come, featuring the debut of the splendid piano-less quartet with Don Cherry, Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins; Change of the Century, with the same personnel, and Something Else!!!!, which marked the debut recording by the Ornette Coleman Quintet, also showcasing Cherry and Higgins.

THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME ****(CROWN AWARD) PENGUIN GUIDE TO JAZZ: Brash as the titles are, the music is surprisingly introspective and thoughtful. Most of the essential Coleman pieces are to be found here, though interestingly only one of them--'Lonely Woman'--has ever come close to repertory status. (Richard Cook & Brian Morton) *****ALL MUSIC: THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME Any understanding of jazz's avant-garde should begin here. (Steve Huey) *****ALL MUSIC: CHANGE OF THE CENTURY An absolutely essential purchase and some of the most brilliant work of Coleman's career. (Steve Huey) ****ALL MUSIC: SOMETHING ELSE!!!!This record swings from the rafters of the human heart with the most unusually gifted, emotional, and lyrical line since Bill Evans first hit the scene. (Thom Jurek)
https://www.amazon.com/Shape-Change-Century-Something-DeluxeDigipak/dp/B07TKNGH71

Personnel:
Ornette Coleman, alto sax
Don Cherry, cornet
Billy Higgins, drums
On all tracks, plus:
CD 1 [1-8]: THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME.
Charlie Haden, bass.
Hollywood, California, May 22, 1959..
Percy Heath (b), Shelly Manne (d). Los Angeles, March 9 & 10, 1959.
CD 1 [9-12] & CD 2[1-5]: CHANGE OF THE CENTURY.
Charlie Haden, bass.
Hollywood, California, October 8, 1959..
CD 2 [6-14]: SOMETHIGN ELSE!!!.
Walter Norris, piano; Don Payne, bass..
Contemporary Studio, Los Angeles, February-March, 1958..
(*) BONUS TRACK: Ornette Coleman (as), Don Cherry (pocket-tp),.
Percy Heath (b), Shelly Manne (d). Los Angeles, March 9 & 10, 1959.
https://www.jazzmessengers.com/en/81611/ornette-coleman/the-shape-of-jazz-to-come

Dave Lambert/Jon Hendricks/Annie Ross - Sing A Song Of & Along With Basie

Styles: Swing,Vocal
Year: 2012
Time: 75:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 176,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:21) 1. Everyday I Have the Blues
(2:29) 2. It's Sand Man
(2:44) 3. Two For the Blues
(3:04) 4. One O'clock Jump
(2:32) 5. Little Pony
(2:14) 6. Down for Double
(3:18) 7. Fiesta in Blue
(3:01) 8. Down for the Count
(3:01) 9. Blues Backstage
(2:55) 10. Avenue C
(3:22) 11. Jumpin' at the Woodside
(4:14) 12. Going to Chicago Blues
(2:41) 13. Tickle Toe
(3:17) 14. Let Me See
(3:27) 15. Every Tub
(3:10) 16. Shorty George
(3:48) 17. Rusty Dusty Blues
(3:26) 18. The King
(3:06) 19. Swingin' the Blues
(4:38) 20. Lil' Darlin'
(4:12) 21. Doodlin' (Bonus Track)
(5:33) 22. Every Day I Have the Blues (Bonus Track)

Sing A Song Of & Along With Basie

It is fair to say that Lambert, Hendricks and Ross set standards in style and musical ability. The trio's contribution to jazz vocal cannot be underestimated and their vocal gymnastics dramatically changed the sound of other vocal groups. They were voted best vocal group in downbeats readers poll 5 years in a row.

Two complete albums on one! The first features a rhythm section based on Count Basie's "New Testament" band with the vocalese practitioners Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross executing the tricky lead and section work. Annie Ross is astonishing as she hits impossibly high trumpet parts with aplomb. Then on the second you have the thrilling, ultra swinging sound of the full Count Basie Orchestra plus appearances from Joe Williams. In fact there's enough words and music here to make it seem like some sort of crazy jazz opera.

Also including bonus live tracks "Doodlin" and "Everyday I Have The Blues" recorded with Count Basie.

Russ Freeman Trio & Quartet

Styles: Bop, Cool Jazz
Year: 2011
Time: 79:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 183,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:22) 1. Lullaby in Rhythm
(4:13) 2. East of the Sun
(3:25) 3. Steeplechase
(2:59) 4. Laugh Cry
(2:45) 5. At Last
(2:43) 6. You Stepped Out of a Dream
(2:38) 7. Yesterday's Gardenias
(2:50) 8. Bock's Tops
(3:08) 9. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
(2:54) 10. Backfield Motion
(3:02) 11. The Eye Opener
(2:42) 12. Bojangles of Harlem
(4:41) 13. It's a New World
(7:24) 14. Blues in the Night
(3:00) 15. The Party's Over
(3:42) 16. Joey, Joey, Joey
(5:07) 17. Woody's Dot
(3:38) 18. Namely You
(3:56) 19. Love in a Home
(3:47) 20. Progress Is the Root of All Evil
(4:00) 21. Independent
(4:41) 22. Invitation to the Blues

Trio & Quartet

While other West Coast jazz pianists during the Fifties and early Sixties cut their shareand some perhaps more than thatof albums for a variety of recording firms, Russ Freemans output of records under his own name was nowhere near enough to reflect his enormous talent.

Thanks to his involvement in the groups of such standard bearers as Howard McGhee, Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper and Wardell Gray, he developed rapidly and when Chet Baker made his first quartet recordings in December 1952, he chose Freeman as pianist, composer and musical director. Freemans reputation also earned him a place with the Lighthouse All-Stars, Shorty Rogers Giants and, for ten years from 1955, with Shelly Manne and his Men.

This CD is dedicated to the memory of Russ Freeman (1926-2002), an extraordinary but too often underrated jazz pianist who deserves a place among the greatest.

Tracks #1-3, not issued on LP
Tracks #4-11, from Pacific Jazz LP-8 (10")
Track #12, from World Pacific JWC-501 (12")
Track #13, from World Pacific JWC-505 (12")
Track #14, from World Pacific JWC-502 (12")
Tracks #15-21, from World Pacific PJM-404 (12")
Track #22, from World Pacific JWC-511 and Stereo 1031 (12")

Personnel on #1-3: Russ Freeman (piano), Bob Whitlock (bass), Bobby White (drums). Recorded in Hollywood, at Gold Star Studios, December 15, 1952

Personnel on #4-11: Russ Freeman (piano), Joe Mondragon (bass), Shelly Manne (drums). Recorded in Hollywood, at Radio Recorders, December 27 (#4-6) & 28 (#7-11), 1953

Personnel on #12-14: Bud Shank (alto sax & flute), Russ Freeman (piano), Carson Smith (bass), Shelly Manne (drums). Recorded in Hollywood, at Music Box Theater, February 19, 1956

Personnel on #15-21: Russ Freeman (piano), Monty Budwig (assb), Shelly Manne (drums). Stu Williamson (trumpet, added on #18-21). Recorded in Hollywood, at Radio Recorders, August 12, 1957

Personnel on #22: Russ Freeman (piano), Billy Bean (guitar), Monty Budwig (bass), Mel Lewis (drums).  Recorded in Hollywood, at Sound Enterprises, March 26, 1959