Eric Dolphy - Giants Of Jazz (1958-61)

This CD contains a selection of some of Eric Dolphy’s prime cuts. It spans the years from 1958 when he spent time with Chico Hamilton through to the classic 1961 tracks taken from the infamous Five Spot date. In addition, the listener will be treated to further tunes taken from his association with Booker Little, Charles Mingus etc., to name a few of the notorieties he interfaced with during his condensed career, like Booker cut short by an untimely death. Any jazz lover should know his work, but this compilation will certainly serve to enhance his following. So, sit back and marvel at Eric’s musicianship, and no doubt many newcomers to jazz will be won over, Enjoy!

Giants Of Jazz, CD 53164, 1995

Recorded 30^th December, 1958 - 16^th July, 1961

#1 from Eric Dolphy At The Five Spot, Volume 1 (1961)

#2,3 Eric Dolphy - Here And There (1960)

#4-6 Booker Little - Out Front (1961)

#7 Charles Mingus - Mingus (1960)

# 8-10 - Chico Hamilton - Gongs East! (1958)

Personnel:

Eric Dolphy - Alto Sax (#2-10) Flute (#2,4-6,8-10), Bass Clarinet (#1,2,8-10)

Booker Little - Trumpet (#1,4-6)

Freddie Hubbard - Trumpet (#3)

Ted Curson - Trumpet (#7)

Julian Priester - Trombone (#4)

Mal Waldron - Piano (#1)

Jaki Byard - Piano (#2,3)

Don Friedman - Piano (#4-6)

Dennis Budimir - Guitar (#8-9)

Richard Davis - Bass (#1)

George Tucker - Bass (#2,3)

Art Davis - Bass (#4)

Ron Carter - Bass (#5,6)

Charles Mingus - Bass (#7)

Wyatt Ruther - Bass (#8-10)

Nate Gershman - Cello (#8-10)

Ed Blackwell - Drums (#1)

Roy Haynes - Drums (#2,3)

Max Roach - Drums, Percussion (#4-6)

Dannie Richmond - Drums (#7)

Chico Hamilton - Drums (#8-10)

Tracks:

01. Bee Vamp {Booker Little} (12:19)

02. April Fool {Eric Dolphy} (4:04)

03. G.W. {Eric Dolphy} (7:57)

04. Quiet, Please {Booker Little} (8:02)

05. Moods In Free Time {Booker Little} (5:37)

06. Hazy Hues {Booker Little} (5:29)

07. Stormy Weather {Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler} (13:15)

08. Where I Live {Gerald Wilson} (2:58)

09. Gongs East {Chico Hamilton} (5:03)

10. Beyond The Blue Horizon {Leo Robin, Richard A. Whiting} (3:04)

Total Time: 67:48

Lee Konitz & Mario Rusca - Where's The Blues? (1997)

Here we have another fine example of Mario Rusca and his trio in action. This time having Lee Konitz at the helm is truly inspirational for both maestros. Lee plays alto throughout except on three tunes; two involve just the Mario Rusca Trio and another a piece for solo piano. The trio consists of a different bassist Lucio Terzano but the same drummer Tony Arco as heard on “Tony Scott with Mario Rusca Trio - The Old Lion Roars” the previous year. Lee’s tone matches perfectly the scintillating chords of Mario’s piano musings. Both artists are clearly in control and virtuosos in their own right. The majority of the selection are jazz standards with Mario contributing two and lee one of his own. Overall, there are no dull spots within this session, if anything this album will continue to entertain jazz lovers for many years to come, enjoy!

Giants Of Jazz, CD 53303, 1997

Recorded 3^rd March, 1997 At Mondial Sound, Milano, Italy

Musicians:

Lee Konitz - Alto Saxophone (#1-3,5-7,10)

Mario Rusca - Piano, Solo (#9)

Lucio Terzano - Bass (#1-8,10)

Tony Arco - Drums (#1-8,10)

Tracks:

01. Where's The Blues? {Mario Rusca} (5:30)

02. Beautiful Love {Haven Gillespie, Victor Young} (5:35)

03. Thingin' {Lee Konitz} (7:39)

04. Summertime {George Gershwin} (4:46)

05. To Lee Or Not To Lee {Mario Rusca} (10:27)

06. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (6:37)

07. Autumn Leaves {Jacques Prévert, Joseph Kosma} (7:33)

08. Anthropology {Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie} (4:39)

09. Have You Met Miss Jones? {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (5:35)

10. I Should Care {Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, Sammy Cahn} (6:06)

Credits:

Engineer - Walter Biondi

Photography - Boris Vom Scheidt, Luca A. D'Agostino, Renato Renzini

Photography, Graphics - Marco Cambieri

Total Time: 64:27

Tony Scott with Mario Rusca Trio - The Old Lion Roars (1996)

Tony Scott on his 75^th birthday joins up with the Mario Rusca Trio and sets about re-interpreting a number of very familiar jazz standards as well as a couple of his own tunes; one on which he scats. His expertise on the clarinet is phenomenal and as the album titles suggests 'The Old Lion Roars'. There is no denying that having Mario Rusca on piano does not bolster Tony's virtuosity. Of course, all this wouldn't be achievable if it wasn't due the merits of Rosario Bonaccorso on bass and the brilliant driving force of Tony Arco on drums. Included in the selection are two tunes penned by Mario and played with such finesse, Enjoy!

Giants Of Jazz, CD 53301, 1996

Recorded 24^th, 25^th, 26^th June, 1996 At Mondial Sound, Milan, Italy

Musicians:

Tony Scott - Clarinet, Vocals

Mario Rusca - Piano

Rosario Bonaccorso - Bass

Tony Arco - Drums

Tracks:

01. Blues For Bird {Tony Scott} (5:34)

02. We'll Be Together Again {Carl T. Fischer, Frankie Laine} (7:56)

03. Scott Scat {Tony Scott} (5:57)

04. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes {Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach} (6:13)

05. 'Round Midnight {Thelonious Monk} (8:25)

06. Mood Indigo {Duke Ellington, Barney Bigard, Irving Mills} (5:33)

07. Take Five And More {Mario Rusca} (4:31)

08. Solitude {Duke Ellington, Eddie De Lang, Irving Mills} (6:02)

09. Feel {Mario Rusca} (5:29)

10. Bye Bye Blackbird {Ray Henderson, Mort Dixon} (6:32)

Credits:

Recording Engineer - Walter Biondi

Photo - Orange (TR)

Cover Art - Cinzia Scott

Total Time: 62:12