Courtesy of Bob Wright, here are the choice of prizes for this month's Raffle, held at our 31st January Meeting, and for only £2 per ticket!

New items this month headed in red

Main Prizes (for the WINNER – first out of the pot)

(A CHOICE OF ONE OF 3 SETS OF 7 CDs – shown below – OR   THE ART PEPPER SET; PLUS A 5-CD SET OF YOUR CHOICE – see further below)

SET ONE

Wes Montgomery: “Three Classic Albums Plus” [2-CD set] Actually 4 albums bar one track from his highly-rated 1962 set “Movin’ Along” (omitted for space reasons). Guitarist Wes, the middle of 3 jazz brothers from Indianapolis, was lost much too early, aged 43. The pick of the bunch here is his classic “The Incredible Jazz Guitar” with the great pianist Tommy Flanagan and two of the Heath brothers, Percy and Al, on bass and drums. “Montgomeryland” (by a strong septet including his brothers) and “A Dynamic New Sound” – by a guitar/organ/drums trio – complete the set.

“The Joe Venuti & Eddie Lang Collection, 1926-33” [2-CD set] This speaks for itself: 50 tracks by the brilliant violinist and guitarist partnership with a host of major jazz figures including Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, the Dorsey brothers, Benny Goodman, Lonnie Johnson, Red Nichols and Frankie Trumbauer..........

Cyrille Aimee: “Live” By way of complete contrast, this critically-acclaimed album was recorded in concert in 2017. French vocalist Cyrille has established a firm reputation in recent years and has a strong supporting quartet. The guitar work is particularly worthy of note.  

Cannonball Adderley: “Them Dirty Blues”   This is a recent re-issue of a very well-regarded album from 1960 by the alto saxophonist, with brother Nat alongside on cornet plus Barry Harris on piano and the terrific rhythm team of Sam Jones on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. What’s more, the CD also includes another album from the year before – “Cannonball Takes Charge” – this time without brother Nat but with Wynton Kelly on piano, and with Paul Chambers and Percy Heath, and Jimmy Cobb and Al “Tootie” Heath, sharing the bass and drums chores respectively.

“The Roy Eldridge Collection, 1935-45”   And last – but certainly not least – a 25-track celebration of the great trumpeter’s work across this decade, with leaders including Teddy Wilson, Gene Krupa, Fletcher Henderson, Chu Berry, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday and Artie Shaw.

SET TWO

Modern Jazz Quartet: “The Last Concert” [2-CD set] Actually, this 1974 event (around a quarter of a century after they had begun performing together – in those days as the Milt Jackson Quartet) wasn’t their last concert at all – far from it. But, rather, it took place at a time when, individually, they wanted more space to devote to other activities too. It was certainly a very special occasion, with a programme including fresh versions of many of their major items from across the years. Their playing dispels any possible notion that their collective work was twee. No-one could ever dismiss in such terms the work of someone whose music swings as powerfully as that of vibes-man Milt Jackson (or any of the others)

Harry “Sweets” Edison: “Edison Inventions – 1938-1962” [2-CD set] This splendid set includes 33 varied examples of the work of one of the greatest trumpeters in jazz, beginning with a cluster of tracks with Count Basie and continuing with collaborations with other leaders including Barney Kessel, Buddy Rich, Lester Young and Johnny Hodges, with vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Nat Cole and Ella Fitzgerald, and under Harry’s own name.  

Zoot Sims meets Jimmy Rowles: “If I’m Lucky”   This very special 1977 quartet session was the first in a marvellous series that the great tenor saxophonist made with pianist Jimmy Rowles. It’s also the pick of the series (although it is not the only one to achieve the highest rating in the Penguin Guide). Not to be missed.

Miles Davis: “Sketches of Spain”   Dating from 1959-60, this was the third in Miles’ very highly-regarded series of collaborations with arranger and conductor Gil Evans.

“Sarah Vaughan featuring Clifford Brown”   This 1954 collaboration in which Sassy was supported by a sextet including tenor saxophonist Paul Quinichette, flautist Herbie Mann, pianist Jimmy Jones and, above all, the great trumpeter Clifford Brown was awarded a coronet by the Penguin Guide. The set also includes a second album, “Sarah Vaughan in the Land of Hi-FI”, from a year later.

SET THREE

Dinah Washington & Quincy Jones: “The Complete Sessions” [3-CD set] This well-filled recent reissue contains over 70 tracks by vocalist Dinah - 3 original albums recorded between 1955 and 1961 (“For Those in Love”, “I Wanna Be Loved” and “The Swingin’ Miss D”) plus a number of singles, with orchestras arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones and including hosts of leading musicians.

“The Mary Lou Williams Collection, 1927-59”   [2-CD set]  By contrast, Mary Lou wasn’t a vocalist but a pianist, composer and arranger and arguably the greatest, and most influential, woman in the history of jazz. Raised in straitened circumstances, she fought her way to the very top of the jazz world. This set has over 50 recordings, with a host of other leading jazz musicians - a fine introduction to her work.

Count Basie: “On My Way & Shoutin’ Again!” This cracking recent re-issue features this splendid album from 1962 which deserves to be much better known plus “Not Now, I’ll Tell You When” from 2 years earlier.

Roy Hargrove Big Band – “Emergence”   Very sadly, the jazz world lost the highly-talented trumpeter Roy Hargrove late last year. This splendid album from 2008 has him leading a big band through a mixture of standards and new compositions, with a couple of vocals from Roberta Gambarini along the way.

Charlie Haden’s Quartet West – “The Art of The Song” Essentially an East Coaster, for years the great bassist Charlie Haden used to spend much of each summer on the West Coast where, amongst other things, he played with what he called his Quartet West and recorded a string of albums. On this very special one, from 1999, he also teamed up with a couple of vocalists, including the marvellous Shirley Horn. Most moving of all is Charlie’s own version of Wayfaring Stranger. The notes explain.

THE ART PEPPER SET

A different approach – a set based around a particular jazzman – to see whether members find it attractive. The subject here is the great alto (and sometimes tenor) saxophonist and occasional clarinettist Art Pepper (1925-1982). A Californian by birth, he started out with the likes of bandleaders Benny Carter and Stan Kenton, before leading his own groups. But he had drugs problems which interrupted his career (principally from 1960 when he served a long term in prison, followed by other setbacks). After a fitful spell back in jazz, he spent 3 years in a Synanon drugs rehabilitation centre in the early-1970s, following which (with the enormous support and encouragement of his third wife-to-be, Laurie) he made one of the greatest comebacks in the annals of jazz. Art died in 1982 but, since then, Laurie has continued to keep his light burning, uncovering a string of further recordings of Art.

The albums available under this set (all under Art’s name except where indicated) are as follows:

“Four Classic Albums”, viz:

“The Art Pepper Quartet”, 11/56 An album recorded for the Tampa label - a mix of standards and Pepper originals (including Diane, named for Art’s second wife).

“The Return of Art Pepper”, 8/56-1/57

“Modern Art”, 12/56-4/57  These are from a cluster of albums recorded by the Aladdin label – the first, a couple of quintet sessions (one with Jack Sheldon on trumpet; the other with Red Norvo on vibes); and the other, quartet sessions with pianists Russ Freeman and Carl Perkins.

“Art Pepper meets the Rhythm Section”, 1/57 An absolute classic with Art playing with Miles Davis’ rhythm section of the time. It had been arranged through wife Diane behind Art’s back – he had been having problems and knew nothing about the session until that morning. In the circumstances, his playing beggars belief.

Marty Paich: “Four Classic Albums” (Second Set), including “The Broadway Bit”, 5/59 “I Get A Boot Out Of You”, 6-7/59 Two albums of largely show-type and other popular numbers, performed by 12- and 13-strong bands with swinging arrangements by Marty Paich (who also plays piano on the earlier one). Art, on relaxed form, solos on the majority of the tracks. Marvellous stuff. [Art does not appear on the other 2 albums in this set. Marty Paich leads a strong septet on one and a trio on the other. Both deserve to be heard in their own right.]

“Smack Up”, 10/60 (also 3/59, summer 1959) Another classic – a strong quintet with Jack Sheldon on trumpet, and with Art on some of his very finest form on the 1960 date, playing compositions by fellow saxophonists. (The 1959 recordings included here are, first, from a session by pianist Andre Previn with the MGM Studio Orchestra; and, second, from an earlier session in 1959 credited to trumpeter Jack Sheldon.)  

“Intensity”, 11/60 With mostly the same personnel as “Smack Up”, but without a second horn, this is an album of first-rate popular standards given the Pepper touch.

“Living Legend”, 8/75 This marvellous album marked the start of Art’s great come-back, supported by a superlative group of Hampton Hawes (p), Charlie Haden (b) and Shelly Manne (d). It has to be heard.

“Winter Moon”, 9/80 There was a great out-pouring of music in this final phase that has to be heard. But this was perhaps the crowning glory – an album of ballads, accompanied by strings. Who would ever have anticipated that? (“The Penguin Guide to Jazz” describes it as “profoundly beautiful”.)  

PLUS “The Art Pepper Companion – Writings on a Jazz Original”, 2000, edited by Todd Selbert, 270 pages.

PLUS

THE WINNER CAN ALSO CHOOSE A 5-CD SET OF ORIGINAL ALBUMS FROM THE FOLLOWING SELECTION:

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (1960-65)

Pianist (etc) Chick Corea (1973-76)

Pianist Bill Evans (1964-69)

Ella Fitzgerald – 5 Original Albums

Bassist Charlie Haden (1992-2001)

Billie Holiday – 5 Original Albums (1956-1958)

Guitarist Wes Montgomery (1959-1963)

Saxophonist Charlie Parker

Sarah Vaughan – 5 Original Albums 

AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST!

THE RUNNER-UP’S CHOICE – ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SETS FOR THE HOLDER OF THE 2nd TICKET DRAWN

SET A     “The Bennie Moten Collection, 1923-32” [2-CD set] Pianist Bennie Moten was a native of Kansas City and led in that city one of the very finest bands of its time anywhere, including such legendary figures as vocalist Jimmy Rushing, trumpeter Hot Lips Page, tenor saxophonist Ben Webster and bassist Walter Page. Bennie’s own instrument was piano and, along the way, he took on a second pianist – a native of Red Bank, New Jersey, who had found himself stranded in Kansas City in 1927 when the band that he was with broke up. His name was Basie. Sadly, in 1935, Bennie Moten died while undergoing a tonsillectomy. For a while, the band was co-led by his brother, Buster, and Count Basie. But, soon afterwards, a number of members of the band moved to New York and formed the nucleus of what was to become Count Basie’s first band. From the Jazz Legends series, this set contains 48 tracks by Bennie Moten’s band.

Ray Charles – “Genius + Soul = Jazz” Ray Charles with a difference, recorded on 26 and 27 December 1960, playing big band jazz – not on piano but on organ, and with vocals on only 2 of the 10 tracks. Six of the tracks were recorded on the first day, supported by the Basie band of the day (without Basie, and with Philip Guilbeau from Ray’s band among the trumpets). The other 4 tracks were recorded the following day with a very strong pick-up band. Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements. Good listening.

Jim Hall – “Concierto” By way of contrast, a classic small-group album from April 1975 by the great guitarist, supported by Chet Baker on trumpet, Paul Desmond on alto saxophone and a strong rhythm section of Roland Hanna, Ron Carter and Steve Gadd. The standout track is inevitably their take on Concierto de Aranjuez with fine playing all round.

Wardell Gray & Dexter Gordon – “The Chase and The Steeplechase” (plus) At the time (1947), Wardell Gray and Dexter Gordon were two of the great up and coming stars of the tenor saxophone. Here, they collaborate (or perhaps “compete” would be more appropriate) on the 2 numbers shown in the title. The CD also includes 5 numbers by a quartet led by the terrific clarinettist Tony Scott.

SET B

“The Dave Brubeck Quartet at Carnegie Hall” [2-CD set] This highly memorable occasion in February 1963 found the Brubeck group at the height of its powers, and at the height of its popularity. The programme was a mix of standards (such as St Louis Blues and Pennies From Heaven) and their own compositions which had become huge popular hits (especially, of course, Take Five). Here was the opportunity to stretch out. Alto saxophonist Paul Desmond was, of course, the most listenable of the group and here he had a great chance to spin his magic.

Quincy Jones – “The Birth of A Band” This is a joy. The band that Quince brought together in the late-1950s was really special, full of top-notch musicians of the day playing cracking arrangements. “The Birth of A Band” was probably their sharpest set of all. That’s here, plus another album. 24 tracks in all, 78 minutes. Can’t be bad!!

Harry Allen Quartet – “A Little Touch of Harry” Tenor saxophonist Harry Allen has now been on the scene for 30 years, but has he ever produced a better album than this one from 1997? He had the great advantage of a rhythm section to die for – Kenny Barron (p), George Mraz (b) and Al Foster (d) – and the programme of 12 standards was perfect.

Eddie Condon: “Jam Session Coast-to-Coast” This brings together two sessions. The earlier one, from October 1953, was recorded on the West Coast by the Rampart Street Paraders, an octet including Clyde Hurley (t), Abe Lincoln (tb), Matty Matlock (cl), and George Van Epps (g). From a month later come a septet including Eddie Condon (g), Wild Bill Davison (c), Cutty Cutshall (tb), Edmond Hall (cl), guitarist Eddie Condon and bassist Walter Page.

SET C “The Eddie Condon Collection, 1927-61” [2-CD set]   Born in Goodland, Indiana, on 16 November 1905, Albert Edwin Condon was largely self-taught on ukulele and banjo and later took up the guitar. He spent most of his life in New York but is most closely associated with Chicago jazz, having hung out with Bix Beiderbecke and as part of the Austin High School Gang. This 46-track set opens with tracks by (Red) McKenzie and Condon’s Chicagoans and continues with tracks under Eddie Condon’s own name and under other leaders including Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, Bud Freeman and Wild Bill Davison.

Thelonious Monk – “Les Liaisons Dangereuses, 1960” [2-CD set] This 2017 issue excited huge interest. It saw the first issue of music that Monk had recorded in 1959, intended at the time for the soundtrack of this rather risqué movie. In the event, it was not used and the music lay unissued for over 50 years. The set includes a 50-page booklet which tells the story with many photographs from that time of Monk, the other musicians involved, Monk’s mistress (the Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter) and others. Marvellous.

Cannonball Adderley – “Somethin’ Else” This cracking session from 1958 is by a superstar quintet which brought together alto saxophonist Cannon and Miles Davis on trumpet, supported by a tremendous rhythm section of Hank Jones (p), Sam Jones (b) and Art Blakey (d). And the music more than exceeds normal expectations of such a group. Terrific.

Yank Lawson – Bob Haggart Jazz Band: “Jelly Roll’s Jazz / Louis’ Hot 5s and 7s” 1951 and 1954 re-creations by the band led by trumpeter Yank Lawson and bassist Bob Haggart of the music of their illustrious forebears.