Mundell Mundell Lowe Quartet

Carmen McRae - With Mat Mathews and Tony Scott Quartets (1954) {Bethlehem R2 75990 rel 2000}
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© 1954, 2000 Bethlehem / Avenue Jazz | R2 75990
Jazz / Vocal Jazz / Bop / Standards

This is Carmen McRae's first recording as a leader. She's heard on four songs apiece with the Mat Mathews Quintet (a group including Herbie Mann on flute and tenor, and guitarist Mundell Lowe) and clarinetist Tony Scott's Quartet. On the emotional "Misery," Scott switches to piano and is the only accompanist to the singer. Five alternate takes augment this set, which emphasizes ballads.

Yes, there's a concept on the loose here - all the songs are about birds. Fortunately, there are plenty of good songs on the subject, and it's not so narrow that all the focus hinges on birds themselves. Carmen McRae is supported by a good small group, directed and arranged by Ralph Burns, featuring guitarist Mundell Lowe and many solos for an uncredited "tenorman" (i.e., Ben Webster). Both McRae and Webster do their best on the driving, horn-heavy score for "Bob White (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight)." First, Webster follows closely along with trumpeter Irwin "Marky" Markowitz while McRae vocalizes clearly and with some swing, then launches a beautiful solo before McRae returns for the closer. Other highlights include the touching "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and a relaxed, pastoral "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano."

Tony Scott & Bill Evans - The Touch of Tony Scott (1956) {2014 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICP-4200}
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© 1956, 2014 RCA / Sony Music Japan | SICP 4200
Jazz / Cool / Clarinet / Piano

Reissue with latest 2014 remastering. Comes with liner notes. This rare set features the cool-toned clarinetist Tony Scott with a big band on five numbers, heading a ten-piece band for three others and jamming with a quartet that also features the young pianist Bill Evans on the four remaining songs. The songs range from swing standards and the tongue-in-cheek "Rock Me But Don't Roll Me" to "Aeolian Drinking Song" and an original titled "Vanilla Frosting On A Beef Pie." Musically, the performances are pretty modern for the period while never failing to swing. This LP is well worth searching for, as are most of Tony Scott's recordings of the 1950s.

Laid back, jazz of great subtlety and artistry by two masters of their instruments.
Joe Pass did the near-impossible. He was able to play up-tempo versions of bop tunes such as "Cherokee" and "How High the Moon" unaccompanied on the guitar. Unlike Stanley Jordan, Pass used conventional (but superb) technique, and his Virtuoso series on Pablo still sounds remarkable decades later.
Joe Pass had a false start in his career. He played in a few swing bands (including Tony Pastor's) before graduating from high school, and was with Charlie Barnet for a time in 1947. But after serving in the military, Pass became a drug addict, serving time in prison and essentially wasting a decade…

Clark Terry & Red Mitchell - Jive At Five (1990) {Enja Records - ENJA CD 6042-2 rec 1988}
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© 1990 Enja Records | ENJA CD 6042-2
Jazz / Bop / Trumpet / Bass

The style and the class of these two sacred monsters of music, is best expressed in these very special performances in an unusual but extremely involving duo! A great record!