SATURDAY SWING SESSION - September 6, 2008 - 8 p.m.-11 p.m E.D.T.
WQLN-FM, 8425 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16509 - 91.3FM
You can listen to this program at www.wqln.org or 91.3FM
1. THEME - THE MINOR INFRACTION - Dan Barrett Octet
CD "Strictly Instrumental" (CONCORD RECORDS CCD-4331)
2. TAKE THE `A' TRAIN - Duke Ellington Orchestra
CD "Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940 - 1941"
(CLASSICS RECORDS 837)
3. TAPS MILLER - Pee Wee Russell Quartet
CD "New Groove" (COLLECTABLES RECORDS COL-CD-5893)
4. I WON'T DANCE - Bob Wilber/Nik Payton
CD "Swinging The Changes" (ARBORS RECORDS ARCD-19358)
5. MEDLEY - Dave McKenna
SOMEBODY LOVES ME
OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAY
BUT NOT FOR ME
THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME
I GOT RHYTHM
CD "Dave McKenna-Private Recordings" (JUMP RECORDS JCD12-30)
6. CAN THIS BE LOVE? - Blue Swing
CD "Blue Swing" (ARBORS RECORDS ARCD-19232)
7. SAVOY BLUES - World's Greatest Jazz Band
LP "Extra!" (PROJECT 3 RECORDS PR/5039SD)
8. MEDLEY - Gene Bertoncini / Michael Moore
LI'L SUZIE
BLUE MONK
CD "The Art Of The Duo" (STASH RECORDS ST-CD-6)
9. WRAP YOUR TROUBLES IN DREAMS - John Cocuzzi
CD "Daryl Sherman & John Cozuzzi Celebrating
Mildred Bailey and Red Norvo"
(AUDIOPHILE RECORDS ACD-295)
10. AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSITIVE - Johnny Mercer
CD "Johnny Mercer" (V-DISC RECORDS)
11. LITTLE ROCK GETAWAY - Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band
LP "Gerry Mulligan '63 - The Concert Jazz Band" (VERVE RECORDS)
12. THE MORE I SEE YOU - Johnny Guarnieri
LP "Johnny Guarnieri Playing Harry Warren"
(JIM TAYLOR PRESENTS JTP-102)
13. SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK - Duke Ellington Orchestra
CD "Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940 - 1941"
(CLASSICS RECORDS 837)
14. C'EST SI BON - Blue Swing
CD "Blue Swing" (ARBORS RECORDS ARCD-19232)
BEGIN ROMANTIC INTERLUDE
15. SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN - Johnny Guarnieri
LP "Johnny Guarnieri Playing Harry Warren"
(JIM TAYLOR PRESENTS JTP-102)
16. NEW ORLEANS - Randy Sandke
CD "Unconventional Wisdom" (ARBORS RECORDS ARCD-19365)
17. IF ONLY YOU KNEW - Bob Wilber / Nik Payton'
CD "Swinging The Changes" (ARBORS RECORDS ARCD-19358)
18. BUT BEAUTIFUL - Tony Bennett / Bill Evans
CD "The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album"
(FANTASY RECORDS OJCCD-439-2)
19. BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS - Johnny Guarnieri
LP "Johnny Guarnieri Playing Harry Warren"
(JIM TAYLOR PRESENTS JTP-102)
END ROMANTIC INTERLUDE
20. JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS - Randy Sandke
CD "Unconventional Wisdom" (ARBORS RECORDS ARCD-19365)
21. MY SUGAR IS SO REFINED - Johnny Mercer
CD "Johnny Mercer" (V-DISC RECORDS)
22. CLEMENTINE - Duke Ellington Orchestra
CD "Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940 - 1941"
(CLASSIC RECORDS 837)
23. MOTEN SWING - Pee Wee Russell Quartet
CD "New Groove" (COLLECTABLES RECORDS COL-CD-5893)
24. ALFIE - World's Greatest Jazz Band
LP "Extra!" (PROJECT 3 RECORDS PR/5039SD)
25. MEDLEY - Gene Bertoncini / Michael Moore
LUSH LIFE
ISFAHAN
CD "The Art Of The Duo" (STASH RECORDS ST-CD-6)
26. WE'RE IN LOVE - Randy Sandke
CD "Unconventional Wisdom" (ARBORS RECORDS ARCD-19365)
27. THE MAN I LOVE - John Cocuzzi
CD "Daryl Sherman & John Cocuzzi Celebrating
Midlred Bailey & Red Norvo"
(AUDIOPHILE RECORDS ACD-295)
28. WALTZ FOR DEBBY - Tony Bennett / Bill Evans
CD "The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album"
(FANTASY RECORDS OJCCD-439-2)
29. JUST A-SETTIN' AND A-ROCKIN' - Duke Ellington Orchestra
CD "Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940 - 1941"
(CLASSICS RECORDS 837)
30. SATURDAY NIGHT FUNCTION - Blue Swing
CD "Blue Swing" (ARBORS RECORDS ARCD-19232)
31. MEDLEY - Daryl Sherman
GEORGIA ON MY MIND
ROCKIN' CHAIR
CD "Daryl Sherman & John Cocuzzi Celebrating
Mildred Bailey & Red Norvo"
(AUDIOPHILE RECORDS ACD-295)
32. IT MUST BE HIM - World's Greatest Jazz Band
LP "Extra!" (PROJECT 3 RECORDS PR/5039SD)
33. CIRCULATIN' IN C - Bob Wilber / Nik Payton
CD "Swinging The Changes" (ARBORS RECORDS ARCD-19358)
34. UGLY CHILE - Johnny Mercer
CD "Johnny Mercer" (V-DISC RECORDS)
35. MEDLEY - Gene Bertoncini / Michael Moore
UN BEL DI
POOR BUTTERFLY
CD "The Art Of The Duo" (STASH RECORDS ST-CD-6)
36. JOHN HARDY'S WIFE - Duke Ellington Orchestra
CD "Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940 - 1941"
(CLASSICS RECORDS 837)
37. 'ROUND MIDNIGHT - Pee Wee Russell Quartet
CD "New Groove" (COLLECTABLES RECORDS COL-CD-5893)
Showing posts with label Duke Ellington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Duke Ellington. Show all posts
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Review - The Brooks Tegler Big Band - "That's It!"
The Brooks Tegler Big Band - "That's It!"
(MAXNGRUBER RECORDS MNG-899)
Collective Personnel: RHYTHM - Brooks Tegler - drums; Tommy Cecil - bass; Larry Eanet - piano on Tracks 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 14 & 15; Robert Redd - piano on Tracks 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17 & 18 -also 4th trumpet on Tracks 3, 6, 11 & 15); Tom Mitchell - guitar on Tracks 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 13 & 15. REEDS - Joe Midiri - solo clarinet on Tracks 3, 6, 11, 12 & 15; Marty Nau - lead alto sax, except on Track 14, also alto sax solos on Tracks 8 & 11, clarinet solo on Track 2; Bill Mulligan - alto sax on Tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17 & 18, also lead alto sax solo on Track 14; Leigh Pilzer - alto sax on Tracks 9 & 12, baritone sax on Tracks 3 & 5, baritone sax solos on Tracks 6 & 11; Scott Silbert - tenor sax on all tracks, tenor sax solos on Tracks 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 14 & 16, also clarinet solo on Track 5; Don Lerman - tenor sax on all tracks, tenor sax solos on Tracks 9 & 15, alto sax on Tracks 2 & 4; Jeff Suzda - baritone sax on Tracks 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17 & 18; John Doughten - tenor sax solos on Tracks 4 & 13, baritone sax solo on Track 10; Bruce Swaim -tenor sax solo on Track 18. TRUMPETS - Kenny McGee - lead trumpet on all tracks, also trumpet solos on Tracks 11 & 16; Randy Reinhart - trumpet on Tracks 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17 & 18, and trumpet solos on Tracks 1, 8 & 17; Marc Weigel - trumpet on all tracks, trumpet solo on Track 7; Vince McCool - trumpet on Tracks 3, 5, 6, 9, 11 12, 14 & 15, trumpet solos on Tracks 6 & 9; Paul duBois - trumpet on Tracks 7, 8, 13, 16 & 17; Clyde Hunt - trumpet on Track 13. TROMBONES - John Jensen - trombone on all tracks, also trombone solos on Tracks 2 & 4; Jay Gibble - trombone on all tracks, also trombone solo on Track 11; Jen Krupa - trombone on Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, & 18, also trombone solos on Tracks 5, 14 & 17; Paul Midiri - trombone on Tracks 3, 6, 11, 12 & 15, also trombone solo on Track 12, also vibes solos on Tracks 3 & 11; Jim Lester - trombone on Tracks 7, 13, 16 & 18. VOCALS - Lynn McCune - vocal on Tracks 3 & 15; Jim Stephanson - vocals on Tracks 7, 13, 16 & 18. Recorded at Bias Studios, Springfield, Virginia in May, 2007. Recording engineer: Bob Dawson. Producer: Brooks Tegler. SONGS: Track 1 - "THAT'S IT!"; Track 2 - INGIE SPEAKS"; Track 3 -"GOODNIGHT MY LOVE"; Track 4 -"JOHN'S IDEA"; Track 5 - "JACK THE BEAR"; Track 6 - "THE GLIDER"; Track 7 - "NOW I KNOW"; Track 8 - "GYPSY MOOD"; Track 9 - "SLOW FREIGHT"; Track 10 - "PUSSY WILLOW"; Track 11 - "KEEPER OF THE FLAME"; Track 12 - "IF DREAMS COME TRUE"; Track 13 - "SWEETIE CAKES"; Track 14 - "HY'A, SUE"; Track 15 - "I HAVE EYES"; Track 16 - "SNAFU JUMP"; Track 17 - "SUCH SWEET THUNDER"; Track 18 - "ALRIGHT, OKAY, YOU WIN." Total playing time is 60:00.
I guess I could be called a product of the BIG BAND ERA, since I was born in 1928, started listening seriously to the radio in, probably, 1938. Slowly, but surely, I became quite aware of the then popular music, which was mainly big bands, with a sprinkling of vocals. The first big band I became aware of was, and I blush, that of Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians, which, upon looking back, did provide some wonderful music for dancing. Along about 1944 I became aware of the Bob Crosby Big Band, and, especially the band's recording of "South Rampart Street Parade." After hearing that number, there was no holding me back; big band music became my food and drink.
What a treat, then, to receive this fine compact disc. Each track has its joys, but please permit me to pick out a few tracks that really impress.
Back on March 16, 1949 the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra recorded Bill Finegan's composition and arrangement of "Pussy Willow." Until Brooks Tegler took it on, I can't remember any other band recording this terrific number. The original had, I believe, a short tenor sax solo by Boomie Richman. On the Tegler recording, there is a fine baritone sax solo by John Doughten.
It was a great treat to hear another band's version of Duke Ellington's recording of "Hy'A, Sue," which was recorded for Columbia away back on August 14, 1947 by The Duke and his band, with a wonderful "Tricky Sam" Nanton-influenced trombone solo by Tyree Glenn. On the Tegler band's version, trombonist Jen Krupa (a relative of Gene?) does the growl solo in fine style.
And I never thought that any other big band could duplicate the light, airy feeling of Woody Herman's December 30, 1948 recording of the Shorty Rogers composition and arrangement "Keeper Of The Flame." Hats off to the reed and rhythm sections. Marvelous!
Other joys are"Ingie Speaks," "Jack The Bear," "Slow Freight"and "John's Idea." And hats off, also, to the fine engineering of Bob Dawson; the music jumps right out of the speakers!
The literate album notes were composed by Jerry J. Brennan, a jazz historian/archivist/writer and collector from the U. K. Good job, and good reading.
Thank you, Brooks Tegler, and everyone else involved in bringing this superior big band recording to light. I hope there is a follow-up in the works. If not, there surely should be.
More information regarding this desirable compact disc can be found at http://www.capitalcombinations.com/
Bill Garts, the writer of this review, is a producer/host of the long-running radio program "Saturday Swing Session" on radio station WQLN-FM, Erie, PA. The program can be heard each Saturday evening from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. EDT at http://www.wqln.org/
P. S. At a later date, I will be reviewing another fine Brooks Tegler offering: "It's Been So Long" recorded by Brooks Tegler's Capital Combinations. Information about this recording can be obtained at http://www.maxngruber.com/
(MAXNGRUBER RECORDS MNG-899)
Collective Personnel: RHYTHM - Brooks Tegler - drums; Tommy Cecil - bass; Larry Eanet - piano on Tracks 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 14 & 15; Robert Redd - piano on Tracks 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17 & 18 -also 4th trumpet on Tracks 3, 6, 11 & 15); Tom Mitchell - guitar on Tracks 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 13 & 15. REEDS - Joe Midiri - solo clarinet on Tracks 3, 6, 11, 12 & 15; Marty Nau - lead alto sax, except on Track 14, also alto sax solos on Tracks 8 & 11, clarinet solo on Track 2; Bill Mulligan - alto sax on Tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17 & 18, also lead alto sax solo on Track 14; Leigh Pilzer - alto sax on Tracks 9 & 12, baritone sax on Tracks 3 & 5, baritone sax solos on Tracks 6 & 11; Scott Silbert - tenor sax on all tracks, tenor sax solos on Tracks 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 14 & 16, also clarinet solo on Track 5; Don Lerman - tenor sax on all tracks, tenor sax solos on Tracks 9 & 15, alto sax on Tracks 2 & 4; Jeff Suzda - baritone sax on Tracks 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17 & 18; John Doughten - tenor sax solos on Tracks 4 & 13, baritone sax solo on Track 10; Bruce Swaim -tenor sax solo on Track 18. TRUMPETS - Kenny McGee - lead trumpet on all tracks, also trumpet solos on Tracks 11 & 16; Randy Reinhart - trumpet on Tracks 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17 & 18, and trumpet solos on Tracks 1, 8 & 17; Marc Weigel - trumpet on all tracks, trumpet solo on Track 7; Vince McCool - trumpet on Tracks 3, 5, 6, 9, 11 12, 14 & 15, trumpet solos on Tracks 6 & 9; Paul duBois - trumpet on Tracks 7, 8, 13, 16 & 17; Clyde Hunt - trumpet on Track 13. TROMBONES - John Jensen - trombone on all tracks, also trombone solos on Tracks 2 & 4; Jay Gibble - trombone on all tracks, also trombone solo on Track 11; Jen Krupa - trombone on Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, & 18, also trombone solos on Tracks 5, 14 & 17; Paul Midiri - trombone on Tracks 3, 6, 11, 12 & 15, also trombone solo on Track 12, also vibes solos on Tracks 3 & 11; Jim Lester - trombone on Tracks 7, 13, 16 & 18. VOCALS - Lynn McCune - vocal on Tracks 3 & 15; Jim Stephanson - vocals on Tracks 7, 13, 16 & 18. Recorded at Bias Studios, Springfield, Virginia in May, 2007. Recording engineer: Bob Dawson. Producer: Brooks Tegler. SONGS: Track 1 - "THAT'S IT!"; Track 2 - INGIE SPEAKS"; Track 3 -"GOODNIGHT MY LOVE"; Track 4 -"JOHN'S IDEA"; Track 5 - "JACK THE BEAR"; Track 6 - "THE GLIDER"; Track 7 - "NOW I KNOW"; Track 8 - "GYPSY MOOD"; Track 9 - "SLOW FREIGHT"; Track 10 - "PUSSY WILLOW"; Track 11 - "KEEPER OF THE FLAME"; Track 12 - "IF DREAMS COME TRUE"; Track 13 - "SWEETIE CAKES"; Track 14 - "HY'A, SUE"; Track 15 - "I HAVE EYES"; Track 16 - "SNAFU JUMP"; Track 17 - "SUCH SWEET THUNDER"; Track 18 - "ALRIGHT, OKAY, YOU WIN." Total playing time is 60:00.
I guess I could be called a product of the BIG BAND ERA, since I was born in 1928, started listening seriously to the radio in, probably, 1938. Slowly, but surely, I became quite aware of the then popular music, which was mainly big bands, with a sprinkling of vocals. The first big band I became aware of was, and I blush, that of Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians, which, upon looking back, did provide some wonderful music for dancing. Along about 1944 I became aware of the Bob Crosby Big Band, and, especially the band's recording of "South Rampart Street Parade." After hearing that number, there was no holding me back; big band music became my food and drink.
What a treat, then, to receive this fine compact disc. Each track has its joys, but please permit me to pick out a few tracks that really impress.
Back on March 16, 1949 the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra recorded Bill Finegan's composition and arrangement of "Pussy Willow." Until Brooks Tegler took it on, I can't remember any other band recording this terrific number. The original had, I believe, a short tenor sax solo by Boomie Richman. On the Tegler recording, there is a fine baritone sax solo by John Doughten.
It was a great treat to hear another band's version of Duke Ellington's recording of "Hy'A, Sue," which was recorded for Columbia away back on August 14, 1947 by The Duke and his band, with a wonderful "Tricky Sam" Nanton-influenced trombone solo by Tyree Glenn. On the Tegler band's version, trombonist Jen Krupa (a relative of Gene?) does the growl solo in fine style.
And I never thought that any other big band could duplicate the light, airy feeling of Woody Herman's December 30, 1948 recording of the Shorty Rogers composition and arrangement "Keeper Of The Flame." Hats off to the reed and rhythm sections. Marvelous!
Other joys are"Ingie Speaks," "Jack The Bear," "Slow Freight"and "John's Idea." And hats off, also, to the fine engineering of Bob Dawson; the music jumps right out of the speakers!
The literate album notes were composed by Jerry J. Brennan, a jazz historian/archivist/writer and collector from the U. K. Good job, and good reading.
Thank you, Brooks Tegler, and everyone else involved in bringing this superior big band recording to light. I hope there is a follow-up in the works. If not, there surely should be.
More information regarding this desirable compact disc can be found at http://www.capitalcombinations.com/
Bill Garts, the writer of this review, is a producer/host of the long-running radio program "Saturday Swing Session" on radio station WQLN-FM, Erie, PA. The program can be heard each Saturday evening from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. EDT at http://www.wqln.org/
P. S. At a later date, I will be reviewing another fine Brooks Tegler offering: "It's Been So Long" recorded by Brooks Tegler's Capital Combinations. Information about this recording can be obtained at http://www.maxngruber.com/
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Jazz Review-The Howard Alden-Dan Barrett Quintet
The Howard Alden-Dan Barrett Quintet
During the Swing Era, sometimes lost in all the publicity garnered by the big bands, were some very fine small jazz bands. The Howard Alden-Dan Barrett Quintet's Clambake Seven comes to mind, as does the Gramercy Five of clarinetist Artie Shaw. Duke Ellington had his small recording units, and drummer Chick Webb's band-within-a band was The Little Chicks. But the most-swinging little group, in this writer's humble opinion, was the John Kirby Sextet, a working group that recorded many good sides for the Columbia and RCA Victor labels. A hard-swinging sextet, sometimes almost too polite and precise, it nevertheless was the standard by which small-band jazz was measured.
A reincarnation of the Kirby band, the Howard Alden-Dan Barrett Quintet, is now playing all over the world, and the grand old Riverside Inn, located in Cambridge Springs was fortunate enough to house this amazing band Friday evening. Sponsored by the Allegheny Jazz Society, the Quintet, made up of Howard Alden on guitar; Dan Barrett on trombone; Chuck Wilson-alto sax and clarinet; Frank Tate-string bass, and Jackie Williams-drums, played three sets before a capacity crowd in the inn's well-appointed dining room.
After a romantic candle-lit buffet, the concert began at 8. The Quintet opened with an old Fats Waller number, "Up Jumped You With Love.' Buck Clayton, the veteran trumpet star with the old Count Basie band, contributed an arrangement titled "Switch Hitter." The Quintet showed its esoteric side, with three numbers from the 20s: "Oriental Strut," composed by New Orleans banjoist Johnny St. Cyr, "Washboard Blues" by Hoagy Carmichael, and Kid Ory's "Savoy Blues." The last-named item was simply beautiful, with Wilson's low-register clarinet and a muted Barrett. The first set closed with a blistering "Cottontail," composed by Duke Ellington. Drummer Williams was featured on this one. Set number two opened with something done by the Benny Goodman Sextet, "Till Tom Special." Bud Freeman's "The Eel" had fierce Barrett, fluid Alden, and great rhythm from Tate and Williams. "Isfahan," composed by Billy Strayhorn for Duke Ellington's "Far East Suite," featured Wilson on alto sax, while another Ellington gem, originally composed as a piano piece, "Dancers In Love," was a solo spot for guitarist Alden.
The Quintet has now been working together for over ten years, and it shows. Barrett, with his large tone, fierce attack, and mastery of the mutes, has developed into the premier jazz trombonist. Alden has few equals in jazz at the present time. Simply an amazing musician. Reedman Wilson, with his fluid clarinet, and his alto sax crying like a wounded thing, creates spell-binding moods. Bassman Tate uses his big tone to great effect, and is rock-solid on any occasion. The ideal rhythm man, he is also quite impressive on his arco solos. And drummer Williams continues to be the ideal small-band drummer, with his feathery touch and unobtrusive style, much in the manner of a latter-day Jo Jones. Marie and Mike Halliday, of the Riverside Inn, are to be commended for the warm and charming dining room. And, again, Allegheny Jazz Society president Joe Boughton brought another outstanding group to the area. It just gets better and better. This one will be hard to top.
During the Swing Era, sometimes lost in all the publicity garnered by the big bands, were some very fine small jazz bands. The Howard Alden-Dan Barrett Quintet's Clambake Seven comes to mind, as does the Gramercy Five of clarinetist Artie Shaw. Duke Ellington had his small recording units, and drummer Chick Webb's band-within-a band was The Little Chicks. But the most-swinging little group, in this writer's humble opinion, was the John Kirby Sextet, a working group that recorded many good sides for the Columbia and RCA Victor labels. A hard-swinging sextet, sometimes almost too polite and precise, it nevertheless was the standard by which small-band jazz was measured.
A reincarnation of the Kirby band, the Howard Alden-Dan Barrett Quintet, is now playing all over the world, and the grand old Riverside Inn, located in Cambridge Springs was fortunate enough to house this amazing band Friday evening. Sponsored by the Allegheny Jazz Society, the Quintet, made up of Howard Alden on guitar; Dan Barrett on trombone; Chuck Wilson-alto sax and clarinet; Frank Tate-string bass, and Jackie Williams-drums, played three sets before a capacity crowd in the inn's well-appointed dining room.
After a romantic candle-lit buffet, the concert began at 8. The Quintet opened with an old Fats Waller number, "Up Jumped You With Love.' Buck Clayton, the veteran trumpet star with the old Count Basie band, contributed an arrangement titled "Switch Hitter." The Quintet showed its esoteric side, with three numbers from the 20s: "Oriental Strut," composed by New Orleans banjoist Johnny St. Cyr, "Washboard Blues" by Hoagy Carmichael, and Kid Ory's "Savoy Blues." The last-named item was simply beautiful, with Wilson's low-register clarinet and a muted Barrett. The first set closed with a blistering "Cottontail," composed by Duke Ellington. Drummer Williams was featured on this one. Set number two opened with something done by the Benny Goodman Sextet, "Till Tom Special." Bud Freeman's "The Eel" had fierce Barrett, fluid Alden, and great rhythm from Tate and Williams. "Isfahan," composed by Billy Strayhorn for Duke Ellington's "Far East Suite," featured Wilson on alto sax, while another Ellington gem, originally composed as a piano piece, "Dancers In Love," was a solo spot for guitarist Alden.
The Quintet has now been working together for over ten years, and it shows. Barrett, with his large tone, fierce attack, and mastery of the mutes, has developed into the premier jazz trombonist. Alden has few equals in jazz at the present time. Simply an amazing musician. Reedman Wilson, with his fluid clarinet, and his alto sax crying like a wounded thing, creates spell-binding moods. Bassman Tate uses his big tone to great effect, and is rock-solid on any occasion. The ideal rhythm man, he is also quite impressive on his arco solos. And drummer Williams continues to be the ideal small-band drummer, with his feathery touch and unobtrusive style, much in the manner of a latter-day Jo Jones. Marie and Mike Halliday, of the Riverside Inn, are to be commended for the warm and charming dining room. And, again, Allegheny Jazz Society president Joe Boughton brought another outstanding group to the area. It just gets better and better. This one will be hard to top.
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