Perfection: Phil Urso - P.U. Stomp (1952)

Man, tenor saxophonist and arranger Phil Urso could swing! And he pops up all over the place in the tastiest places. He was paired with Art Pepper on Picture of Heath (formerly known as Playboys); with Allen Eager at Birdland with Terry Gibbs in 1952; with Brew Moore in Kai Winding's Septet of 1953; with Zoot Sims in Neal Hefti's orchestra that same year; with Bob Brookmeyer in 1954; with Chet Baker in 1956 and with trumpeter Carl Saunders in 2002.

One of my favorite songs composed and arranged by Phil was P.U. Stomp, recorded in February 1952. Here's the fabulous lineup for the record: Tony Fruscella (tp), Herb Geller (as), Phil Urso (ts), Gene Allen (bar), Bill Triglia (p), Red Mitchell (b) and Howie Mann (d).

To read my interview with Phil Urso and his brother, Joe, go here.

Here's Phil Urso's P.U. Stomp...