CHARLIE VENTURA – 1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1215 (2000) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The height of tenor saxophonist Charlie Ventura's Bop for the People band is covered in this CD. In April 1949 his band consisted of trumpeter Conte Candoli, trombonist Benny Green, Boots Mussulli on alto and baritone, a rhythm section, and vocals from Jackie Cain and pianist Roy Kral. In addition to two songs from a studio session (including the rather eccentric "Barney Google"), there are eight numbers from the group's notable Pasadena concert of May 9, 1949. The additional titles later released by GNP/Crescendo are not included. This CD concludes with sessions from August and September, after Cain and Kral had departed (and gotten married). Teddy Kaye and (a little later) Dave McKenna are on piano, with vocals taken by Betty Bennett, Beverly Brooks, Jimmy Vanelli, and bandmembers. The boppish music is at times almost a self-parody (particularly the nuttier vocals), but the solos are of high quality, particularly those of Candoli. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

ZOOT SIMS - Down Home (1960-1992) RM | Bethlehem Classic Jazz Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims recorded on a regular basis as a leader for most of 45 years, and virtually all of his many sessions are worth acquiring. Sims's Bethlehem date also gives one a look at the great pianist Dave McKenna in his early days, along with bassist George Tucker and drummer Dannie Richmond. Sims mostly explores standards from the swing era (including a rare version of "Bill Bailey") on this enjoyable and consistently swinging set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Jive at Five 5:18
Count Basie / Harry "Sweets" Edison    
2     Doggin' Around 4:39
Edgar Battle / Ray Evans    
3     Avalon 4:29
Buddy DeSylva / Al Jolson / Vincent Rose    
4     I Cried for You 6:50
Gus Arnheim / Arthur Freed / Abe Lyman    
5     Bill Bailey 5:17
Hughie Cannon    
6     Goodnight, Sweetheart 4:22
Jimmy Campbell / Reginald Connelly / Ray Noble    
7     There'll Be Some Changes Made 5:24
Billy Higgins / W. Benton Overstreet    
8     I've Heard That Blues Before 5:26
Zoot Sims    
9     There'll Be Some Changes Made 6:46
Billy Higgins / W. Benton Overstreet    
10     Jive at Five 6:17
Count Basie / Harry "Sweets" Edison     
11     Doggin' Around 3:36
Edgar Battle / Ray Evans    
12     Avalon 4:09
Buddy DeSylva / Al Jolson / Vincent Rose    
13     Goodnight, Sweetheart 5:09
Jimmy Campbell / Reginald Connelly / Ray Noble    
14     Bill Bailey 5:02
Hughie Cannon
Credits :
Bass – George Tucker
Drums – Dannie Richmond
Piano – Dave McKenna
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims

DAVE McKENNA QUARTET - Dave McKenna Quartet featuring Zoot Sims (1994) RM | WV (image+.cue), lossless

This CD reissues a rare Zoot Sims set originally made for the defunct Famous Door label. Accompanied by pianist Hank Jones, bassist Milt Hinton and either Louie Bellson or Grady Tate on drums, Zoot (who doubles on tenor and soprano) is in typically swinging form. In addition to a few standards, Sims explores some obscurities (including "Alabamy Home" and "In The Middle Of A Kiss") and even turns the theme of "Rosemary's Baby" into jazz. A slightly above-average set from a saxophonist who always sounded inspired. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Limehouse Blues 5:57
Philip Braham / Douglas Furber    
2     I Cover the Waterfront 6:00
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman    
3     'Deed I Do 3:07
Walter Hirsch / Fred Rose    
4     Grooveyard 5:13
Carl Perkins    
5     One Good Turn 3:30
Erroll Garner    
6     Dave's Tune 2:45
Dave McKenna    
7     Linger Awhile 4:22
Harry Owens / Vincent Rose    
8     There'll Be Some Changes Made 5:17
Billy Higgins / W. Benton Overstreet    
9     Wherever There's Love 4:35
Eddie Condon / John DeVries    
10     I Cover the Waterfront 7:40
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman    
11     Grooveyard 4:53
Carl Perkins    
12     One Good Turn 5:06
Erroll Garner    
13     Wherever There's Love 4:41
Eddie Condon / John DeVries
Credits :
Bass, Vocals – Major Holley (pistas: 1, 3 to 13)
Drums – Ray Mosca (pistas: 1, 3 to 13)
Piano – Dave McKenna
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Zoot Sims

AL COHN | ZOOT SIMS - From A to Z And Beyond (1956-1987) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The very complementary tenors Al Cohn and Zoot Sims (whose similar styles often made them sound almost identical) teamed up many times through the years; this reissue brings back their first joint recording. Joined by either Dave McKenna or Hank Jones on piano, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Osie Johnson, and (on some selections) the forgotten trumpeter Dick Sherman, Al and Zoot avoid obvious material ("Somebody Loves Me" and "East of the Sun" are the only standards) in favor of swinging "modern" originals by Cohn, Sherman, Osie Johnson, Ralph Burns, Manny Albam, Ernie Wilkins, and Milty Gold. Zoot contributed "Tenor for Two Please, Jack," his answer to the song "Dinner for One Please, James." [Some releases add four alternate takes to the original 12-song program, giving one a good example of the occasional Cohn-Sims musical partnership.] Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Mediolistic 3:29
Osie Johnson    
2     Crimea River 3:08
Ralph Burns
3     A New Moan 3:52
Manny Albam    
4     A Moment's Notice 3:19
Ernie Wilkins    
5     My Blues 3:14
Al Cohn    
6     Sandy's Swing 3:23
Milt Gold    
7     Somebody Loves Me 2:51
Buddy DeSylva / George Gershwin / Ballard MacDonald
8     More Bread 3:05
Ernie Wilkins    
9     Sherm's Terms 2:57
Dick Sherman    
10     From A to Z 2:57
Al Cohn    
11     East of the Sun (And West of the Moon) 4:19
Brooks Bowman
12     Tenor for Two Please, Jack 4:25
Zoot Sims    
13     My Blues (Alternate Take) 4:17
Al Cohn   
14     More Bread (Alternate Take) 3:09
Ernie Wilkins   
15     Tenor for Two Please, Jack (Alternate Take) 4:17
Zoot Sims   
16     Somebody Loves Me (Alternate Take) 3:05
Buddy DeSylva / George Gershwin / Ballard MacDonald
Notas.
Recorded in New York City, January 23-24, 1956.

CLARK TERRY & HIS FRIENDS - What Makes Sammy Swing! (1964) lp | MONO | FLAC (tracks), lossless

This obscure 1963 studio session led by Clark Terry features the music from Ervin Drake's Broadway show What Makes Sammy Run, with arrangements by Pat Williams, but the real attraction to it is the cast of musicians. In addition to the always enjoyable trumpeter, Phil Woods, Urbie Green, Seldon Powell, Dave McKenna, George Duvivier, and Mel Lewis are present. "The Friendliest Thing" is a rare opportunity to hear Woods on flute, joining Terry's muted horn for this easygoing reworking of the chord changes to "Tea for Two." The swinging "Humble" showcases the leader on open horn, while Woods' matchless alto sax is center stage in the bossa nova "Maybe Some Other Time." While the music on this disc may be unfamiliar to the vast majority of jazz fans, the strong melodies and outstanding efforts of the players make this long out of print record, which was last available as a French import LP in the 1970s, worth acquiring. Ken Dryden
Tracklist:
1     A Room Without Windows 2'36
Ervin Drake
2     You're No Good 2'54
Ervin Drake
3     My Home Town 2'34
Ervin Drake
4     A New Pair of Shoes 2'21
Ervin Drake
5     The Friendliest Thing 3'16
Ervin Drake
6     Humble 3'05
Ervin Drake
7     Maybe Some Other Time 3'24
Ervin Drake
8     Something to Live For 4'02
Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
9     Bachelor Gal 2'20
Ervin Drake
10     Some Days Everything Goes Wrong 3'28
Ervin Drake
Credits  
Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax], Clarinet, Flute – Phil Woods
Arranged By – Pat Williams
Bass – George Duvivier
Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone [Tenor Baritone] – Seldon Powell
Drums – Mel Lewis
Piano – Dave McKenna
Trombone – Urbie Green
Trumpet – Clark Terry

MILLI VERNON - Introducing Milli Vernon (1956-2007) Mp3

With its intimate, closing-time atmosphere and thoughtful performances, Introducing Milli Vernon boasts a maturity and honesty that cut surprisingly deep -- despite Vernon's relative anonymity, she's a compelling vocalist with a genuine sense of style and drama. Of course, it's the names below the title -- trumpeter Ruby Braff, guitarist Jimmy Raney, and pianist Dave McKenna among them -- that many jazz buffs will find most appealing, and while their contributions are firmly within the Storyville label's signature style, the session's overall emphasis and atmosphere and mood means their contributions are largely subordinate to Vernon's voice. That said, this is a solid album, even if some of the material is a bit too slight; given the right song, like "I Don't Know What Kind of Blues I've Got," Vernon excels. by Jason Ankeny
Tracklist:
1 Weep For The Boy 2:27
2 Moments Like This 2:17
3 Spring Is Here 3:04
4 St. James Infirmary 2:54
5 My Ship 3:21
6 This Year's Kisses 2:11
7 Moon Ray 3:09
8 Everything But You 2:43
9 Every Time 3:10
10 Blue Rain 2:59
11 I Don't Know What Kind Of Blues I've Got 2:46
12 I Guess I'll Have To Hang My Tears Out To Dry 3:38
Credits:
Bass – Wyatt Reuther
Drums – Jo Jones
Guitar – Jimmy Raney
Piano – Dave McKenna
Trumpet – Ruby Braff
Vocals – Milli Vernon