Emarcy label Allen’s All Stars with Terry Gibbs and Gus Bivona
This turned out to be a jazz show highlighting relatively unknown yet often recorded jazz musicians of the 50’s and 60’s. Musicians like Steve Allen, who has been underestimated as a jazz musician, altoist Jimmy Woods, trumpet/cornet player Webster Young, 12-tone composer/arranger Lyle “Spud” Murphy, the amazing trombonist Matthew Gee, soulful hard bop pianist John Wright, and the overlooked tenor man Al Sears. Check it out:
Steve Allen’s All Stars “Pasternak’s Blues” composed by Steve Allen from Allen’s All Stars, Terry Gibbs Captain (1958) on Mercury — Recorded in the home of Hungarian film producer, Joe Pasternak, Bel Air (Hollywood), March 24, 1958; Steve Allen, piano, leader; Terry Gibbs, vibes; Gus Bivona, clarinet; Al Viola, guitar; Red Mitchell, bass; Frank Divito, drums
Harry “Sweets” Edison “Just Squeeze Me” composed by Duke Ellington / Lee Gaines from Just you, just me (1978) on Black and Blue — Harry “Sweets” Edison, trumpet; Earl Hines, piano
Jimmy Woods “Little Jim” composed by Jimmy Woods from Awakening (1961) on OJC — Jimmy Woods, alto; Joe Gordon, trumpet; Amos Trice, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; and drummer Milt Turner
Wild Bill Moore “Wild Bill’s Beat” composed by Bill Moore from Bottom Groove (1961) on Concord — Wild Bill Moore, tenor; Junior Mance, piano; Joe Benjamin on upright bass, Ben Riley on drums, and Ray Barretto on congas
Webster Young “The Lady” composed by Webster Young from For Lady (1957) on Prestige — Webster Young, trumpet, leader; Paul Quinichette, tenor; Joe Puma, guitar; Mal Waldron, piano; drummer Ed Thigpen, and bassist Earl May
Lyle “Spud” Murphy “Fourth Dimension” composed by Lyle Murphy from Gone with the woodwinds! (1955) on Contemporary — Lyle Murphy, a jazz arranger during the swing era who developed a 12-tone system of composing and arranging. Group led by Andre Previn, piano; Curtis Counce, bass; Shelley Manne, drums; reeds from Buddy Collette and Abe Most
Matthew Gee All Stars “Gee” composed by Matthew Gee from Jazz by Gee (1956) on Riverside — Matthew Gee, trombone, leader with altoist Ernie Henry, trumpeter Kenny Dorham, tenorman Frank Foster, and baritonist Cecil Payne; Wilbar Ware, bass; Art Taylor, drums
Ted Curson “Fire Down Below” composed by Ted Curson from Ted Curson Plays Fire Down Below (1962) on Prestige — Ted Curson, trumpet; piano, Gildo Mahones, bassist George Tucker, drummer Roy Haynes, and Montego Joe on conga
John Wright Trio “South Side Soul” composed by John Wright from South Side Soul (1960) on OJC — John Wright, who is now quite obscure, recorded five albums during 1960-62 that emphasized the souful side of hard bop.John Wright, piano; Wendell Roberts, bass, and drummer Walter McCants
Al Sears “Ain’t No Use” composed by Don Abney from Swing’s the Thing (1960) on Prestige — Al Sears, tenor, leader; Don Abney, guitarist Wally Richardson, bassist Wendell Marshall, and drummer Joe Marshall
Billy Mitchell “Automation” composed by Dave Burns from This is Billy Mitchell (1962) on smash — Billy Mitchell, tenor, leader; Bobby Hutcherson, vibes; Dave Burns, trumpet; Billy Wallace, piano; Herman Wright, bass; Otis Finch, drums
Hal McKusick “Saturday Night” composed by Hal McKusick from Triple Exposure (1957) on Concord — Hal McKusick, alto; Billy Byers, trombone; Eddie Costa, piano; Paul Chambers, bass; Charlie Persip, drums
Call and Response 