In July 1956, during a brief summer break by the Count Basie band, the trombone section went into Rudy Van Gelder's Hackensack, N.J., studio and, with the addition of trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, recorded five pieces. Two were composed by Basie tenor saxophonist Frank Foster, who arranged by all five.
What made the session for Savoy special was that Basie-ite Frank Wess was the lead player on flute on four of the tracks. Added was a superb four-man rhythm section that included Basie's guitarist. The players are Jimmy Cleveland, Henry Coker, Benny Powell and Bill Hughes (tb); Frank Wess (fl); Ronnell Bright (p); Freddie Green (g); Eddie Jones (b); and Kenny Clarke.
This is a nifty album that swings compactly and elegantly, and features bossy trombones and a sweet flute on top, with gorgeous piano by Ronnell...
The tracks:
What made the session for Savoy special was that Basie-ite Frank Wess was the lead player on flute on four of the tracks. Added was a superb four-man rhythm section that included Basie's guitarist. The players are Jimmy Cleveland, Henry Coker, Benny Powell and Bill Hughes (tb); Frank Wess (fl); Ronnell Bright (p); Freddie Green (g); Eddie Jones (b); and Kenny Clarke.
This is a nifty album that swings compactly and elegantly, and features bossy trombones and a sweet flute on top, with gorgeous piano by Ronnell...
The tracks:
- Lo-Fi (Frank Foster)
- Wanting You (Sigmund Romberg)
- Don't Blame Me (Jimmy McHue)
- Cracker Jack (Henry Coker)
- You'll Do (Foster)
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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