Jahresbericht 1954 55

Bob Gordon - Quintet/Sextet with Herbie Harper & Jack Montrose: Complete Recordings (2004) {Lone Hill Jazz LHJ10126 rec 1954-1955}
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© 1954-55, 2004 Lone Hill Jazz | LHJ10126
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Baritone Saxophone

This outstanding edition contains the complete recorded discography of Gordon’s collaboration with trombone giant Herbie Harper and composer/arranger/tenor saxophonist Jack Montrose. Drawing from 7 legendary sessions and containing over 149 minutes of music this is unarguably the most definitive compilation of Bob Gordon’s outstanding music to date. “It is now generally recognized that Gordon, Jimmy Giuffre, and Gerry Mulligan, are the best baritone saxophonists to have emerged since Harry Carney.” – Richard Heffner, Downbeat.

Billy Taylor - Billy Taylor Trio with Earl May & Percy Brice (1954-1955) {Prestige PRCD 24285-2 rel 2003}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 319 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 168 Mb
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© 1954-55, 2003 Prestige Records / Fantasy | PRCD 24285-2
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Piano Trio

Billy Taylor has become a jazz institution, with his multi-faceted role as a leading jazz musician, and jazz educator and spokesman, as well as serving several stretches in hosting both local and syndicated radio programs. Still going strong at 82, when this Prestige reissue CD became available in the fall of 2003, many of his longtime fans will finally get their first opportunity to hear some of his long unavailable early recordings. This compilation combines two trio dates with bassist Earl May and drummer Percy Brice: his 1954 Town Hall concert, and a studio session from the following year.

Meade Lux Lewis - Cat House Piano (1998) {Verve Elite 314 557 098-2 rec 1954-1955}
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© 1954-55, 1998 PolyGram / Verve Elite Edition | 314 557 098-2
Jazz / Jazz Blues / Boogie-Woogie / Piano Blues

This single CD from 1998 has all of the music from boogie-woogie pianist Meade Lux Lewis' two Verve LPs of 1954-1955. The earlier date is a set of duets with drummer Louie Bellson, while the later session finds Lewis accompanied by bassist Red Callender and drummer Jo Jones. The packaging is perfect, and with 76-and-a-half minutes of playing, the amount of music is generous. The only problem is that there is a definite sameness to the 14 selections (which mostly clock in between four and seven minutes), the majority of which are medium-tempo blues romps. None of the melodies (all Lewis originals) are at all memorable. The romping momentum of the music overall is difficult to resist, but it is advisable to listen to this set in small doses.

Herb Geller - Herb Geller Plays (1954) {Emarcy Japan Paper Sleeve PHCE-3069 rel 1996}
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© 1954-55, 1996 Emarcy / Mercury / PolyGram Japan | PHCE-3069
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

The first of a series of excellent recordings that he made for Emarcy in the 1950s, all of which have been reissued by Emarcy in Japan. Other than four titles from a year before, this LP contains altoist Herb Geller's first recordings as a leader. Cut during a period when Herb was based in Los Angeles and regularly working with his wife, the talented but short-lived pianist Lorraine Geller, the music also has either Curtis Counce or Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Lawrence Marable or Eldridge Freeman on drums. Herb Geller was already in his early prime and contributed six originals. The band also performs one of Lorraine's tunes, plus five standards, all in swinging and boppish style. This LP (which has not been reissued lately) is well worth searching for.

Buddy DeFranco - The Complete Verve Recordings Of The Buddy De Franco with Sonny Clark (1990) {4CD Set, MD4-117 rec 1954-1955}
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© 1954-55, 1990 Mosaic Records / Polygram | MD4-117
Jazz / Bop / Clarinet / Piano

Clarinetist Buddy DeFranco recorded extensively for Norgran and Verve during 1953-1958. For a little over a year, Sonny Clark was his regular pianist and all of their small-group recordings have been reissued on this limited-edition five-LP set. With bassist Eugene Wright (a couple years before he joined the Dave Brubeck Quartet) and drummer Bobby White completing the quartet, and guitarist Tal Farlow making the group a quintet on its final 11 numbers, DeFranco had one of his strongest bands.

Fantastic 100 CD box containing a plethora of Modern Jazz recordings. In the 1950's, Jazz spread over the world. With the advent of the LP, Jazz improvisation was freed from the limitation of the old 78 three minute playing time. This gave room for deep and long artistic statements. The Jazz message conquered the scene and built new regional and stylistic centers.

Fantastic 100 CD box containing a plethora of Modern Jazz recordings. In the 1950's, Jazz spread over the world. With the advent of the LP, Jazz improvisation was freed from the limitation of the old 78 three minute playing time. This gave room for deep and long artistic statements. The Jazz message conquered the scene and built new regional and stylistic centers.