Tony Fruscella - On Stage In New York (1953-59)

The music contained within this digital download is a compilation of tracks gleaned predominantly from a number of recorded sessions in New York by Tony Fruscella with the final two from a date in New Jersey. Essentially, very few recordings of this lyrical but tragic trumpeter exist and this collection is a great place to start to appreciate his expertise. Overall, this collection is an inspiring insight into one of America’s great lost trumpeters, enjoy! 

The Jazz Factory, 1999
Recorded 3rd August, 1959 (#1);
23rd January, 1955 (#2) at Birdland, New York City;
mid 1953 (#3,5-9) at The Open Door Club, Greenwich Village, New York City;
7th November, 1955 (#4) at Pithyan Temple, New York City;
November, 1959 (#10,11) at Ridgewood High School, New Jersey 

Personnel: 

#1:
Tony Fruscella - Trumpet
Bill Keck - Guitar
3rd August, 1955 or 1959 

#2:
Tony Fruscella - Trumpet
Stan Getz - Tenor Saxophone
Johnny Williams - Piano
Bill Anthony - Bass
Frank Isola - Drums
23rd January, 1955 at Birdland, New York City 

#3,5-9:
Tony Fruscella - Trumpet
Bill Triglia - Piano
Teddy Kotick - Bass
Art Mardigan - Drumsmid 1953 at The Open Door Club, Greenwich Village, New York City 

#4:
Tony Fruscella - Trumpet
Hank Jones - Piano
Wendell Marshall - Bass
Shadow Wilson - Drums
7th November, 1955 at Pithyan Temple, New York City 

#10,11:
Tony Fruscella - Trumpet
Stan Getz - Alto Saxophone
Bill Triglia - Piano
Bill Keck - Guitar
Paul Chambers - Bass
Roy Hall - Drums
November, 1955 or 1959 at Ridgewood High School, New Jersey 

Tracks:
01. Lover Man {Jimmy Davis, Roger "Ram" Ramirez, Jimmy Sherman} (3:27)
02. Pernod {Stan Getz} (4:38)
03. Imagination {Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen} (5:31)
04. Tony's Blues {Tony Fruscella} (5:13)
05. Donna {Jackie McLean} (5:18)
06. A Night In Tunisia {Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli} (8:35)
07. Bernie's Tune {Bernard Miller, Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller} (8:58)
08. Sometimes I'm Happy {Vincent Youmans, Irving Caesar} (9:34)
09. Hachensack {Thelonious Monk} (10:19)
10. Night Train {Jimmy Forrest, Lewis Simpkins, Oscar Washington} (11:24)
11. Scrapple From The Apple {Charlie Parker} (13:12) 

Total Time: 01:26:09

Mose Allison - Greatest Hits (1957-59)

From Tippo, Mississippi to the tip of jazz’s pantheon, Mose Allison has had one of the genre’s most enduring and beloved careers. Now well into his golden years, the honey and chickoree-voiced storyteller continues to reminisce about his beloved South. Among the prevalent themes on this gently sparkling collection are the infamous 12-foot cotton sack and other elements of life on the plantation (including life on the penal farm for spousal homicide). It was a different place and a different age, but Allison sing-songs about it as if he lived it himself. And when he’s not singing about a life not lived, Allison offers equally personalized renditions of the greats, from Ellington to Williamson and Ray Charles to Willie Dixon. Though his Chet Baker-y vocals are occasionally under-propped, Allison’s jaunty keywork is impressive and fun on its own. His pianistic take on "Blueberry Hill" gets up there a bit faster than Fats Domino, but the svelte Allison is in better shape anyhow. While waiting for one or the other of his musical skills to take shape on "Trouble in Mind," the Baker comparison takes on more weight as Allison reveals himself as a capable horn man as well. So many skills over so many years make this collection and this man a treasure for Rebel and Yankee alike. ~ AAJ.

OJC Records, OJCCD-6004-2, 1988

Recorded 7^th March, 1957 (#19,12,14);

Recorded 8^th November, 1957 (#4,7,15);

Recorded 24^th January, 1958 (#6,9,11);

Recorded 18^th April, 1958 (#5);

Recorded 15^th August, 1958 (#1,8,16);

Recorded 13^th February, 1959 (#2,3,13)

At Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey

Musicians:

Mose Allison - Piano, Vocals

Addison Farmer - Bass (#1-9,11,13,15,16)

Taylor La Fargue - Bass (#10,12,14)

Ronnie Free - Drums (#1-3,5,8,13,16)

Nick Stabulas - Drums (#4,6,7,9,11,15)

Frank Isola - Drums (#10,12,14)

Tracks:

01. The Seventh Son {Willie Dixon} (2:41)

02. Eyesight To The Blind {Sonny Boy Williamson} (1:44)

03. Do Nothin' 'Till You Hear From Me {Ellington, Russell} (3:14)

04. Lost Mind {Percy Mayfield} (3:34)

05. I've Got A Right To Cry {Joe Liggins} (2:52)

06. Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand {Ray Charles} (3:18)

07. Parchman Farm {Mose Allison} (3:21)

08. If You Live {Mose Allison} (2:35)

09. Don't Get Around Much Anymore {Ellington, Russell} (2:50)

10. One Room Country Shack {Mary Dee Walton} (3:04)

11. I Hadn't Anyone 'Till You {Ray Noble} (2:34)

12. Young Man's Blues {Mose Allison} (1:27)

13. That's All Right {Jimmie Rogers} (2:29)

14. Blueberry Hill {Lewis, Stock, Rose} (2:59)

15. Trouble In Mind {Richard Jones} (3:15)

16. Creek Bank {Mose Allison} (4:36)

Credits:

Supervision - Bob Weinstock (#1,4-12,14-16), Esmond Edwards (#2,3,13)

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Remastering - Phil De Lancie, 1988 (Fantasy Studios, Berkeley)

Art Direction - Phil Carroll

Photography - Lee Tanner

Liner Notes - Pete Townshend