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

Harry Allen - Here's To Zoot (2001)

Impressive And Delightful

Here's another fine Harry Allen CD. There are some interesting surprises here. Harry plays the verse to "I Cover The Waterfront" slowly, and where you expect him to double the tempo, he doesn't, but keeps it slow. It makes for a different and pleasing approach. He does the same think on "Someone To Watch Over Me", though this one might be taken just a tad too slowly. "I Cried For You" is taken way up-tempo and features excellent brush work by Hanna. The most ambitious track is "I'll Take Romance", done in waltz time, medium-slow at first; then comes an unaccompanied piano solo by McKenna in 4/4, followed by Harry back in 3/4 time and with the tempo doubled. It's an impressive performance. "I Remember You" is played as a Bossa Nova, and "The Way You Look Tonight" has a crisp, jaunty flavor to it. This is a most attractive CD that will not fail to delight Harry Allen fans. ~ Bomojaz, Amazon.com.

Deserves To Be Heard.........

Harry Allen is in supurb form in this wonderful 1997 salute to his "hero", Zoot Sims. Fact is, Harry's tenor is sounding more and more like Stan Getz. The group is tight (McKenna, Moore and Hanna all played with Zoot Sims and they excel here), and the solos and interplay (and the recording quality) are excellent. Because it has only been issued in Japan, not too many people know about it and it is difficult to find. That's a shame, because it is a wonderful listen. Grab it if you get the chance. ~ Stephen W. Mckenna, Amazon.com.

BMG Records, BVCJ-648, 2001

Recorded 17^th & 18^th June, 1997 At Nola Studios, New York, NY

Personnel:

Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone

Dave McKenna - Piano

Michael Moore - Bass

Jake Hanna - Drums

Tracks:

01. I Cover The Waterfront {Johnny Green, Edward Heyman} (5:07) 

02. Stars Fell On Alabama {Mitchell Parish, Frank Perkins} (4:27)

03. Spring Is Here {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (4:48)

04. I Cried For You {Gus Arnheim, Arthur Freed, Abe Lyman} (4:21)

05. Grooveyard {Carl Perkins} (6:40)

06. I Remember You {Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger} (6:05)

07. Someone To Watch Over Me {George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (5:28)

08. 9:20 Special {William Engvick, Earle Warren} (5:14)

09. The Way You Look Tonight {Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern} (4:36)

10. All My Tomorrows {Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen} (4:03)

11. I'll Take Romance {Oscar Hammerstein II, Ben Oakland} (5:41)

Credits:

Producer - Ikuyoshi Hirakawa

Engineer - Jim Czak

Assistant Engineer - Bill Moss

Mastering Engineer - Hiromichi Takiguchi

Dave McKenna, Scott Hamilton, Jake Hanna - No Bass Hit (1979) [vinyl>flac]

Most pianists are dependent on a bassist to keep the rhythm unless they are playing unaccompanied solos, but not Dave McKenna. McKenna, who has the ability to consistently set a fire under tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton, teams up with Hamilton and drummer Jake Hanna for this superlative trio set. The eight standards (which include “If Dreams Come True,” “Drum Boogie,” “I Love You, Samantha,” and “Get Happy”) consistently swing hard, and there is plenty of excitement. Highly recommended, particularly to lovers of mainstream jazz.

Concord Jazz, CJ-97, 1979

Recorded and Remixed March, 1979 at Normandy Studios, Warren, Rhode Island

Musicians:

Dave McKenna - Piano

Scott Hamilton - Tenor Saxophone

Jake Hanna - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. But Not For Me {George & Ira Gershwin} (4:57)

A2. If Dreams Come True {Benny Goodman, Irving Mills, Edgar Sampson} (3:50)

A3. Long Ago And Far Away {Jerome Kern, Ira Gershwin} (3:48)

A4. Drum Boogie {Gene Krupa, Roy Eldridge} (6:56)

B1. I Love You, Samantha {Cole Porter} (5:50)

B2. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter {Joe Young, Fred Ahlert} (6:07)

B3. Easy To Love {Cole Porter} (5:23)

B4. Get Happy {Ted Koehler, Harold Arlen} (3:51)

Credits:

Producer - Carl E. Jefferson

Recording and Remix Engineer - Wil Morton

Cover Photo - Bruce Burr

Art Direction - DH Studio

Liner Notes - Charlie Drago

Woody Herman Phillips Recordings

Hey gang!!!  Sorry for my absence, but I come baring gifts.  These two albums come from a much less examined period of Herman and his Herd - but an equally rewarding one to be sure.  I have two distinctive sides of Woody on offer today, a quiet quartet session and a roaring big band set.

Mosaic Records offered a small glimpse into this period with one of their 4 album, "Mosaic Select" sets.  This should send some indication to the importance and excellence of the music.  That said there will be no digital remastering here - just good old wax as we all know and love.

The album "1964" cleaned up wonderfully, but the quartet album still has some blemishes.  Both are in glorious mono sound, infact, they are excellent examples of just how incredible mono can be.  Lots of dynamic punch and space within the soundstage.  They have been ripped at 24/48 and transferred to FLAC for your convenience.  Of course, the full scans are included at 300 dpi... enjoy!!!

Swing Low, Sweet Clarinet

Herman took time off from leading his big band to participate in this unusual quartet session. Sticking exclusively to clarinet (although never on the same level as Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw), he shows himself to be a fine improviser and an expressive player who gives fresh interpretations to a variety of standards, some closely associated with BG and Shaw. Nat Pierce leads the fine rhythm section on this out-of-print but worthy LP. - Scott Yanow / AMG

Phillips PHM 200-004
1962

Woody Herman, clarinet;  Nat Pierce, piano;  Chuck Andrus, bass;  Gus Johnson, drums.

A1 Swing Low, Sweet Clarinet 3:10
A2 Rose Room 2:10
A3 Sweet Lorraine 3:01
A4 Blue Moon 3:15
A5 Begin The Beguine 2:57
A6 Pee Wee Blues 3:03
B1 Don't Be That Way 2:55
B2 Someday Sweetheart 3:25
B3 Mood Indigo 3:21
B4 Summit Ridge Drive 3:02
B5 On The Sunny Side Of The Street 2:12
B6 Alexandra 2:53

______________________________________________________________________

Woody Herman : 1964

All of Woody Herman's recordings for Philips (which regrettably remain out-of-print and unissued on CD) are excellent. He was leading one of the finest orchestras of his long career, playing both current and older tunes with creativity (helped out greatly by Nat Pierce's arrangements) and featuring such talented soloists as trumpeter Bill Chase, trombonist Phil Wilson and tenor great Sal Nistico. The release ranges from "Deep Purple" and "After You've Gone" to Oscar Peterson's "Halleluah Time" and even "A Taste of Honey"; everything works. - Scott Yanow / AMG

Phillips PHM 200-118
1964

Baritone Saxophone – Nick Brignola
Bass – Chuck Andrus
Drums – Jake Hanna
Leader, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Woody Herman
Piano – Nat Pierce
Saxophone – Sal Nistico
Tenor Saxophone – Carmen Leggio, John Stevens
Trombone – Henry Southall, Kenny Wenzel, Phil Wilson
Trumpet – Bill Chase, Billy Hunt, Danny Nolan, Gerald Lamy, Paul Fontaine

A1 Hallelujah Time 3:23

A2 Deep Purple 3:42

A3 Jazz Hoot 4:30

A4 A Taste Of Honey 3:13

A5 Satin Doll 3:18

B1 After You've Gone 5:08

B2 The Strut 3:07

B3 My Wish 3:28

B4 Cousins 5:53

Eiji Kitamura - Seven Stars

If you have been around the Crypt long enough, you will recall the great run of early Concord Jazz albums we did a couple years back.  The first 300 sides they issued are all great albums, if not classic.  Seven Stars falls into the great category.  Not a rare album, but generally overlooked when thinking about Concord's catalogue.

Eiji Kitamura is by no means a jazz master, but he has a wonderfully soulful style.  He plays with lots of feeling and always retains a superb swing.  If you enjoy this album I would suggest looking for some of his other titles.  He is still actively recording and performing.

I don't have too much to say about this album.  Overall it's an excellent mainstream affair, enjoyable from start to finish.  All the players dig in at some point, even if only for a couple tracks.  The vinyl itself is mint and as per usual Concord style, the recording is glorious.  Ripped at 24bit / 48kHz and transferred into FLAC, the quality is as good as it gets... enjoy!!!



Concord Jazz ‎– CJ-217

1983

Bass – Bob Maize
Vibes - Cal Tjader (tracks 1, 3, 6)

Clarinet – Eiji Kitamura
Drums – Jake Hanna
Guitar – Eddie Duran
Piano -  Teddy Wilson

Vocals - Ernestine Anderson (track 7)

1. Avalon

2. Misty
3. Old Lads
4. Stardust
5. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
6. Satin Doll
7. Someone to Watch Over Me
8. I Wanna Go Home