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

Ruby Braff & Scott Hamilton Concord Session

When Ruby Braff joined the Scott Hamilton quintet in 1985, magic ensued.  Recording for the Concord Jazz label, these two giants laid down enough material for two albums.  A First and A Sailboat In The Moonlight are both treasures in the mainstream/straight-ahead jazz category.

Anyone who was here at the Crypt when I was sharing my Hamilton sides, knows how great this group was.  With Flory on the guitar, the group was a working unit touring and recording together.  With Ruby Braff added to the fray, I dare say that this is a perfect combination of players.  I'll leave that decision up to you guys.

"Moonlight" was ripped from CD using EAC, dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  A First was ripped from my LP at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  The latter has some noise issues which come and go throughout the album.  The vinyl appears perfect, like all of my Concord sides, but clearly has some groove damage.  It's listenable but certainly not up to my standard.  The good news is that it's available for purchase, and I have decided to publish it here at The Crypt to give everyone a taste.  I have not published many great titles in the past because the fidelity is simply not there.  I have quite high standards for the Crypt, as do all of the great authors here.  We only wish the best for our followers.  So now that my novella is complete... enjoy!!!

Concord Jazz CJ 274/296
1985

Bass – Phil Flanigan;  Cornet – Ruby Braff;  Drums – Chuck Riggs;  Guitar – Chris Flory;
Piano – John Bunch;  Tenor Saxophone – Scott Hamilton

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A First (CJ-274)

Although it is implied with its title that this was the first collaboration between cornetist Ruby Braff and tenor-saxophonist Scott Hamilton, they had recorded a date back in December 1983 for the Swedish Phontastic label. Accompanied by Hamilton's regular quartet of the period (pianist John Bunch, guitaristChris Flory, bassist Phil Flanigan and drummer Chuck Riggs), Braff and Hamilton inspire each other and play some explosive and consistently passionate solos. Highlights include a surprisingly hard-swinging "Rockin' Chair," "Dinah," "All My Life" and "Bugle Blues." Recommended. - Scott Yanow

        A Sailboat In The Moonlight (CJ-296)

Taken from the same sessions as A First, this collaboration between veteran cornetist Ruby Braff and the relatively young tenor great Scott Hamilton lives up to its potential. With strong assistance from pianist John Bunch, guitarist Chris Flory, bassist Phil Flanigan and drummer Chuck Riggs, Braff and Hamilton are a perfect team on such joyful swing tunes as "A Sailboat in the Moonlight," "'Deed I Do," "Jeepers Creepers" and "Sweethearts on Parade." All eight selections (even the obscure "Milkman's Matinee") are well worth hearing, making this a highly recommended set. - Scott Yanow