George Masso Quintet - Trombone Artistry (1994)

Trombone and clarinet are an unusual front line. However, the concept is not new. This exact instrumentation prevailed in the Benny Goodman Sextet of the early 1940’s. Both, Ken and George worked with the Benny Goodman Sextet at various times. This CD is their offering in a similar context. George Masso describes this CD as his best live recording ever. 

"George Masso is one of the finest trombone players we know and is often overlooked as one of the premier players going." ~ Jersey Jazz 

This German CD teams together trombonist George Masso, clarinetist Ken Peplowski, pianist Brian Dee, bassist Len Skeat and drummer Jake Hanna. The trombone-clarinet frontline works together quite well, and overall, this is one of Masso's finest recordings. Mainstream fans should enjoy the live recording, which is highlighted by “You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To,” “More Than You Know,” “It All Depends On You” and a burning rendition of “Three Little Words.” ~ Scott Yanow, AMG. 

The noted New York Times music critic John S. Wilson called Ken Peplowski "a clarinetist with a Benny Goodman tone and a Buddy DeFranco style." ~ georgemasso.bandcamp.com. 

Nagel Heyer Records, Nagel-Heyer CD 014, 1995
Recorded 27th August, 1994 Live at Amerika Haus, Hamburg, Germany 

Musicians:
George Masso - Trombone
Ken Peplowski - Clarinet
Brian Dee - Piano
Len Skeat - Bass
Jake Hanna - Drums

Tracks:
01. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To {Cole Porter} (7:43)
02. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington, Milt Gabler} (5:19)
03. More Than You Know {Vincent Youmans, Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu} (6:52)
04. Blue Monk {Thelonious Monk} (10:11)
05. If I Were A Bell {Frank Loesser} (7:09)
06. It All Depends On You {Ray Henderson, Buddy G. DeSylva, Lew Brown} (8:53)
07. Just Friends {John Klemmer, Sam M. Lewis} (10:08)
08. I Thought About You {Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Mercer} (5:21)
09. On The Alamo {Isham Jones, Gus Kahn} (9:52)
10. Three Little Words {Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar} (7:59) 

Total Time: 79:32 

Credits:
Producer - Sabine & Hans Nagel-Heyer
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Ben Ahrens
Digital Mastering - Sonopress, Gütersloh
Photos - Nancy Miller Elliott, New York City
Art Direction - woellergestaltung, Hamburg 

George Masso Sextet - C'est Magnifique! w. Lou Colombo & Harry Allen (1999)

Got a Call on the 'Bone Phone'. George Masso may be the Harry Allen of the trombone, only older. Born in 1927, Masso made his living teaching school and playing trombone on the side. In 1973, he managed to become a full-time musician recording for the Arbors, Sackville, Famous Door, and Nagel-Heyer labels. Masso has had three critically acclaimed discs on Nagel-Heyer, C'est Magnifique! being the most recent (he has previously released the Wonderful World of George Gershwin (NH CD 001) and Trombone Artistry (NH CD014). He, like Allen, performs exclusively traditional jazz and does so almost without flaw. There are no originals here, only standards. Standards played to perfection. This is a live recording was made in early 1999 in Hamburg (home of the Nagel-Heyers). It is a collection of Cole Porter tunes. No "Love for Sale" here. These are lesser-performed tunes, making this disc that much more interesting. Harry Allen, Again! I have just finished reviewing Harry Allen's the King and was pleased to find him here. Allen may be the most perfect tenor player exhaling through his instrument. He (and Masso) is not a groundbreaker. He is a performer with a technique so prodigious it can make one's mouth go dry. On this recording, Allen's tenor almost mimics the sound of the clarinet so clean is Allen's attack. Likewise for Mr. Masso. George Masso is a well-known commodity on the trad jazz circuit, but may be less well known universally. He has a beautiful, respectful, and well-informed tone. What a treasure! Anything Goes. This collection of Cole Porter tunes is bookended by two splendid examples of traditional jazz playing. "It's D'Lovely" and the title cut are definitely played in "the old style". I am not going to go so far and describe this performance as "Dixieland". I would call it post 1930s small combo Chicago jazz at the dawn of the Swing era. No matter, it is super music. Both Masso and Allen, along with pianist Johnny Varro, turn in stellar performances on all cuts but uniquely shine on the ballads. Nagel-Heyer should be commended on their allegiance to traditional (mainstream jazz). Nagel-Heyer is a great repository for this fine music and fine musicians such as George Masso. ~ by C. Michael Bailey, AAJ. 

Nagel Heyer Records, CD 060, 2000
Recorded 6th March, 1999 Live at the Hanse-Merkur Auditorium, Hamburg, Germany 

Musicians:
George Masso - Trombone, Leader
Lou Colombo - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone
Johnny Varro - Piano
Phil Flanigan - Bass
Jake Hanna - Drums 

Tracks:
1. It's D'Lovely (9:44)
2. It's Allright With Me (10:49)
3. Why Shouldn't I (4:51)
4. What Is This Thing Called Love (7:08)
5. I Love You, Samantha (5:51)
6. Get Out Of Town (9:41)
7. C'est Magnifique (8:41) 

All Compositions by Cole Porter 

Total Time: 56:49 

Credits:
Producer - Sabine & Hans Nagel-Heyer
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Ben Ahrens
Digital Mastering - Sonopress, Gutersloh
Cover Photo - Dieter Frahnert
Cover - woellergestaltung, Hamburg