Joe Pass

Herb Ellis & Joe Pass - Seven, Come Eleven (1973) {2014 Japan Concord Jazz Selection Series UCCO-90302}
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© 1973, 2014 Concord / Universal Japan | UCCO-90302
Jazz / Bop / Post Bop / Guitar

The second Concord album was recorded the day after the first with the same lineup: guitarists Herb Ellis and Joe Pass, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jake Hanna. Pass would sign with Pablo but Ellis would be a fixture on the Concord label throughout the 1970s. If anything, the guitarists' rematch was a bit stronger than their first due to material better suited for jamming including "In a Mellotone," a speedy "Seven Come Eleven," "Perdido" and "Concord Blues." Although Pass would soon be recognized as a giant, Ellis battles him to a draw on this frequently exciting bop-oriented date, which has been reissued on CD.

Joe Pass recorded at least a dozen sets of unaccompanied guitar for the Pablo label, and although one can have a very viable jazz collection without owning all of them, none of them are throwaways. This fairly late effort finds Pass paying tribute to the magic of Fred Astaire on his "Blues for Fred" (which is played in a medley with "They All Laughed") and a variety of top standards from the 1930s. As usual, Pass interprets the music with taste, solid swing, and constant creativity within the bop tradition. His versions of "Cheek to Cheek," "Night and Day," "Lady Be Good" and "The Way You Look Tonight" in particular are quite enjoyable and make one appreciate the uniqueness of this classic guitarist.

For this LP, guitarist Joe Pass (who recorded many dates for Pablo during the era) had an opportunity to play a quiet set of duets with pianist Jimmy Rowles… Superior background music that rewards close listening.

This CD (a straight reissue of the original LP) features a rather notable pianoless combo: vibraphonist Milt Jackson, guitarist Joe Pass, and bassist Ray Brown. These three masterful players recorded together in many settings during the Pablo years, but only this once as a trio. The colorful repertoire (which ranges from "The Pink Panther" and "Blue Bossa" to "Nuages" and "Come Sunday") acts as a device for the musicians to construct some brilliant bop-based solos.

This rather memorable Pablo recording, his only album as a leader for Norman Granz's label (although he made several notable appearances as a sideman), features the great jazz harmonica player Toots Thielemans in a sparse trio with guitarist Joe Pass and bassist Niels Pedersen. The four main numbers ("Blues in the Closet," "Thriving on a Riff," "Autumn Leaves," and "Someday My Prince Will Come") are pure bebop, and Thielemans' solo guitar rendition of "The Mooche" is also a highlight.

Joe Pass took time off from his solo guitar projects to record this excellent trio set with bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and drummer Martin Drew. Pass swings hard throughout, is consistently inventive within the bebop tradition, and indulges in close interplay with Pedersen. Together, these musicians make the wondrous seem effortless. Among the highlights are "We'll Be Together Again" (the one unaccompanied guitar showcase on the program), "Robbins Nest," "Lush Life," "Night and Day," and "Speak Low." (allmusic.com)

The quartet that went by the name "Quadrant" (guitarist Joe Pass, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Mickey Roker) recorded two albums for Pablo; this one has not been reissued on CD yet. For this project, the group plays nine Duke Ellington compositions, Billy Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train," and Juan Tizol's "Caravan." The four masterful musicians play up to their potential; the interplay and blend between Jackson and Pass is appealing, and there are a fair share of exciting moments on the respectful and swinging set. Highlights include "Caravan," "Mood Indigo," "Main Stem" and "Rocks In My Bed."

Joe Pass is one of jazz guitar's all-time masters. He demonstrates legendary techniques that will be of value to rock guitarists as well as jazz purists. Joe covers chord melody, chord substitutions, leading tones, chromatic chords, voice movements, and many more special excercises, all with the unique Joe Pass twist. A chance to study with a jazz guitar legend!