LESTER YOUNG — The "Kansas City" Sessions (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is a CD overflowing with classic performances. The great Lester Young is heard with the 1938 version of the Kansas City Six, a group also including trumpeter Buck Clayton (in prime form), Eddie Durham on electric guitar (where he preceded Charlie Christian) and trombone, the rhythm guitar of Freddie Green, bassist Walter Page, and drummer Jo Jones. The four selections (all of which are joined by an alternate take apiece) are most notable for Young's switching to clarinet on some of the pieces. His clarinet solo on "I Want a Little Girl" sounds eerily like Paul Desmond's alto of 15 years later. These classic cool jazz performances have delightful interplay between the two horns. The second part of the reissue features the 1944 Kansas City Six in which Young (sticking to tenor) and trumpeter Bill Coleman are joined by a three-piece rhythm section and trombonist Dickie Wells. Wells, who takes some very colorful and nearly riotous solos, rarely sounded better, and the four selections are highlighted by three equally rewarding versions of "I Got Rhythm" and two of "Three Little Words." The CD concludes with the four titles by 1938's Kansas City Five, which was essentially the early Kansas City Six without Young. Clayton is once again in top form, and Durham's guitar solos were among the first worthwhile examples of the electric guitar on record. This gem is highly recommended for all jazz collections. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Kansas City Six–    Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (#2)    3:00
2    Kansas City Six–    Way Down Yonder In New Orleans    2:57
3    Kansas City Six–    Countless Blues    3:01
4    Kansas City Six–    Countless Blues (#2)    2:59
5    Kansas City Six–    Them There Eyes (#2) 2:57
Vocals – Freddie Green
6    Kansas City Six–    Them There Eyes 2:58
Vocals – Freddie Green
7    Kansas City Six–    I Want A Little Girl    2:53
8    Kansas City Six–    I Want A Little Girl (#2)    2:54
9    Kansas City Six–    Pagin' The Devil    2:57
10    Kansas City Six–    Pagin' The Devil (#2)    2:55
11    Kansas City Six–    Three Little Words (#2)    3:19
12    Kansas City Six–    Three Little Words    2:52
13    Kansas City Six–    Jo Jo    3:17
14    Kansas City Six–    I Got Rhythm (#3)    3:15
15    Kansas City Six–    I Got Rhythm (#2)    3:15
16    Kansas City Six–    I Got Rhythm    3:16
17    Kansas City Six–    Four O'Clock Drag    2:51
18    Kansas City Six–    Four O'Clock Drag (#3)    2:50
19    Kansas City Five–    Laughing At Life    3:05
20    Kansas City Five–    Good Mornin' Blues    2:51
21    Kansas City Five–    I Know That You Know    3:04
22    Kansas City Five–    Love Me Or Leave Me    2:47
Credits :
Bass – John Simmons (tracks: 11 to 18), Walter Page (tracks: 1 to 10, 19 to 22)
Drums – Jo Jones
Guitar – Freddie Green (tracks: 1 to 10, 19 to 22)
Piano – Joe Bushkin (tracks: 11 to 18)
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Lester Young (tracks: 1 to 18)
Trombone – Dicky Wells (tracks: 11 to 18)
Trombone, Electric Guitar – Eddie Durham (tracks: 1 to 10, 19 to 22)
Trumpet – Bill Coleman (tracks: 11 to 18), Buck Clayton (tracks: 1 to 10, 19 to 22)
Notes.
Recorded in New York City.
Tracks 1 to 10 recorded September 28, 1938.
Tracks 11 to 18 recorded March 27, 1944.
Tracks 19 to 22 recorded March 16, 1938.

FREDDIE GREEN — Mr. Rhythm (1955-2007) RM | MONO | BMG Prime Jazz Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Freddie Green seldom led sessions and seldom played lead. Instead, he formed part of the classic rhythm section that gave the Count Basie band its steady pulse. This rare date finds Green with tenor Al Cohn, trumpeter Joe Newman, trombonist Henry Coker, pianist Nat Pierce, bassist Milt Hinton, and either Jo Jones or Osie Johnson on drums. Mr. Rhythm, in fact, will remind many of a good Basie set. The steady drums, bass, and guitar on "Back and Forth" and "Something's Gotta Give" push the music forward, swinging ever so lightly. Nat Pierce's minimalist piano work also owes something to Basie. He adds small flourishes to the rhythm of pieces like "Easy Does It," and only a scattering of tastefully chosen notes on his solo. Coker and Cohn deliver nice solos on "When You Wish Upon a Star," with the trombone's lovely tone and the tenor's deep, mellow pitch complimenting the romanticism of the piece. Newman offers a concise, discerning solos on "Free and Easy" and "Learnin' the Blues." He uses a mute for both solos, perfectly capturing a calm, bluesy mood. Of course Green doesn't solo, and while his guitar is often barely audible, his presence is always felt. This album shows him to be a fine leader who is happy to remain in his role as rhythm guitarist. For fans of Green, and for those who enjoy swinging jazz with great soloists, Mr. Rhythm is a fine release. Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Tracklist :
1    Up In The Blues    2:34
 Freddie Green
2    Down For Double    3:58
 Freddie Green
3    Back And Forth    2:17
 Freddie Green
4    Free And Easy    3:25
 Freddie Green
5    Learnin The Blues    3:28
 Freddie Green / Delores Vicki Silvers
6    Feed Bag    2:58
 Freddie Green
7    Something's Gotta Give    2:51
 Freddie Green
8    Easy Does It    3:42
 Freddie Green / Sy Oliver / Trummy Young
9    Little Red    2:08
 Freddie Green
10    Swinging Back     3:21
 Freddie Green
11    A Date With Ray    4:52
 Freddie Green
12    When You Wish Upon A Star    2:38
 Freddie Green / Leigh Harline
Credits
Bass – Milt Hinton
Drums – Jo Jones, Osie Johnson
Guitar – Freddie Green
Piano – Nat Pierce
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Al Cohn
Trombone – Henry Coker
Trumpet – Joe Newman

COUNT BASIE Encounters OSCAR PETERSON — Satch and Josh (1974-1998) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Producer Norman Granz occasionally got carried away with the quantity of his recording projects. In 1974 he recorded a full album teaming fellow pianists Count Basie and Oscar Peterson in a rhythm quintet; little did anyone realize that this then-unique matchup would eventually result in five albums. This first one, which finds Basie doubling on organ, is among the best. Peterson's virtuosic style somehow worked very well with Basie's sparse playing and these ten numbers really swing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
 1. Buns Blues [4:37]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
2. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) [5:45]
Written-By – Link, Marvell, Strachey
3. R B [5:35]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
4. Burning [4:15]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
5. Exactly Like You [6:19]
Written-By – Fields/McHugh
6. Jumpin' At The Woodside [2:54]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
7. Louie B. [6:21]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
8. Lester Leaps In [4:09]
Written-By – Lester Young
9. Big Stockings [4:29]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
10. S & J Blues [7:53]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Louie Bellson
Guitar – Freddie Green
Organ – Count Basie
Piano – Count Basie, Oscar Peterson
Producer – Norman Granz
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie

RAY BROWN | JOHN CLAYTON — SuperBass (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Bassist Ray Brown shows off the potential of his instrument on this colorful set. Using fellow bassist John Clayton, Brown had their basses overdubbed several times on some of the selections (there are ten basses on "Happy Days Are Here Again") and the arrangements (all but one are by Clayton) are quite colorful. Also on this memorable if somewhat obscure set are rhythm guitarist Freddie Green, Jeff Clayton on alto and drummer Jeff Hamilton. Highlights include "One Armed Bandit," "Killer Joe," "5 O'Clock Whistle," "Happy Days" and "Righteous Boogie Bass."  Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

LESTER YOUNG — The Complete Lester Young Studio Sessions on Verve (2006) RM | 8xCD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

All too often, jazz critics have promoted the myth that Lester Young's playing went way downhill after World War II -- that the seminal tenor man was so emotionally wounded by the racism he suffered in the military in 1944-1945 that he could no longer play as well as he had in the '30s and early '40s. To be sure, Young went through hell in the military, and his painful experiences took their toll in the form of alcohol abuse, severe depression, and various health problems. But despite Young's mental decline, he was still a fantastic soloist. This eight-CD set, which gathers most of the studio recordings that he made for Norman Granz's Clef, Norgran, and Verve labels from 1946-1959, underscores the fact that much of his postwar output was superb. At its worst, this collection is at least decent, but the Pres truly excels on sessions with Nat "King" Cole and Buddy Rich in 1946, Oscar Peterson and Barney Kessel in 1952, Roy Eldridge and Teddy Wilson in 1956, and Harry "Sweets" Edison in 1957. Disc 8 contains two recorded interviews with the saxman -- one conducted by Chris Albertson in 1958 for WCAU radio in Philadelphia, the other by French jazz enthusiast Francois Postif in Paris on February 6, 1959 (only five or six weeks before Young's death on March 15 of that year). The contrast between the fascinating interviews is striking; in Philly, Young is polite and soft-spoken, whereas in Paris, the effects of the alcohol are hard to miss. Sounding intoxicated and using profanity liberally, Young candidly tells Postif about everything from his experiences with racism to his associations with Billie Holiday and Count Basie. But as much as the set has going for it, The Complete Lester Young Studio Sessions on Verve isn't for novices, casual listeners, or those who are budget-minded (Verve's suggested retail price in the U.S. was $144). Collectors are the ones who will find this CD to be a musical feast. Alex Henderson   Tracklist & Credits :

HARRY EDISON — Mr. Swing + The Swinger (1999) 2CD | Serie Verve Elite Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The late Harry "Sweets" Edison was one of the acknowledged masters of swing trumpet; this reissue combines the original LPs The Swinger and Mr. Swing into a two-CD set with the addition of the previously unreleased "How Am I to Know?" and an Edison original, "Blues in the Closet" (no relation to the Oscar Pettiford piece with the same name). Edison and tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest work well together, inspiring one another with lyrical lines on the ballads like "The Very Thought of You," and Edison's easygoing blues "Pussy Willow," but also heat up the session with their playing on an up-tempo Basie-like blues in "Nasty." Edison switches to open horn during most of the second CD. Forrest's vibrato-filled solo on "Ill Wind," and Edison's memorable rendition of "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home?," including both open and muted trumpet solos, are second-half highlights. Pianist Jimmy Jones, bassist Joe Benjamin, drummer Charlie Persip, and rhythm guitarist Freddie Greene make up the capable rhythm section. This reissue is a part of the Verve Elite limited-edition series with only 6,500 copies pressed. Ken Dryden
Tracklist 1 :
1 Pussy Willow 7:34
Harry "Sweets" Edison / Duke Ellington
2 The Very Thought of You 6:08   
Peter Gosling / Ray Noble
3 Nasty 5:24
Harry "Sweets" Edison
4 The Strollers 6:58
Harry "Sweets" Edison
5 Sunday 6:58
Chester Conn / Benny Krueger / Ned Miller / Jule Styne
6 Fairground 5:06
Harry "Sweets" Edison
7 How Am I to Know? 7:18
Gordon Jenkins / Jack King
Tracklist 2 :
1 Love Is Here to Stay 9:52   
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
2 Short Coat 9:46
Harry "Sweets" Edison
3 Baby, Won't You Please Come Home 5:10
Charles Warfield / Clarence Williams
4 Impressario 8:42
Harry "Sweets" Edison
5 Ill Wind 5:53
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
6 Blues in the Closet 9:15
Harry "Sweets" Edison / Oscar Pettiford
Credits :
Bass – Joe Benjamin
Drums, Timpani – Charlie Persip
Guitar – Freddie Green
Piano – Jimmy Jones
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Forrest
Trumpet – Harry Edison

KANSAS CITY 5, 6 & 7 – 1938-1944 | The Classics Chronological Series – 912 (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist + Credits :

CHARLIE PARKER – 1952-1954 | The Chronogical Classics – 1408 (2005) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Sadly, this is the sixth and last volume in the Classics Charlie Parker chronology. It assembles all of his studio recordings made between March 25, 1952 and December 10, 1954, only three months before his death at the age of 35. On the session that opens the compilation, producer Norman Granz placed Bird in front of a brassy big band, using punchy arrangements by Joe Lippman. The quartet session of December 30, 1952 resulted in four beautiful tracks that are greatly enhanced by the rhythm section of Hank Jones, Teddy Kotick and Max Roach. Bird's highly evolved musicality, coupled with the fact that he was beginning to come up with titles like "Cosmic Rays" might invite speculation as to where he would have been at had he lived through the late '50s and into the '60s. Jazz purists have been bitching about the Gil Evans-arranged "chamber jazz" session of May 22, 1953 ever since the records first came out on Granz's Clef label. But Charlie Parker sounded marvelous in any company. He transformed everything he came into contact with, even these stylized vocals by Dave Lambert & His Singers, a carefully collared mini-choir that included Lambert's future partner in crime Annie Ross. Having Charles Mingus and Max Roach in the band didn't hurt, either. Roach was also on hand for a superb quartet date on August 4, 1953 with Al Haig and Percy Heath. (For a good time, chase Bird's rendition of "I Remember You" with all five takes of the same piece recorded in 1961 by Lee Konitz. Finish with the version presented live at Yoshi's in 1994 by the Anthony Braxton Piano Quartet, rinse, and repeat.) Charlie Parker's final two studio recording sessions took place in the early spring and winter of 1954 with quintets featuring Walter Bishop, Jr. at the piano, and first Roy Haynes then Art Taylor behind the drums. The material was entirely derived from the Cole Porter songbook; Bird's studio swan song, "I Love Paris" has an ominous quality that haunts the listener long after the five-minute record has ended. arwulf arwulf      Tracklist + Credits :

ILLINOIS JACQUET – 1945-1946 | The Chronogical Classics – 948 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although the Delmark label has done a fine job of reissuing Illinois Jacquet's Apollo recordings, a genuine understanding of this exciting music requires a more systematic appraisal of the recorded evidence. Being able to digest an entire segment of Jacquet's career, with the recordings chronologically arranged and garnished with complete discographical information, is a major treat for anyone wishing to place the music in context. This also expands the picture well beyond Apollo to include material recorded for the Philo, Savoy, and ARA labels, and clears up a few mysteries regarding personnel. The first four tracks were recorded in July of 1945 and set a standard for modern jump music combining elements that would soon be tagged as bebop and R&B. The steamy "Flying Home" was carefully arranged to fit on two sides of a 10" 78-rpm record. "Uptown Boogie" features pianist Sir Charles Thompson bolstered by excellent rhythmic support from drummer Johnny Otis. Illinois himself was always a commanding presence whether laying down a cool blues, smoothing out a ballad, or applying a blowtorch to one of his rowdy jump tunes. Trumpeter Russell Jacquet is heard singing the only two vocal tracks on the entire album, "Throw It Out of Your Mind Baby" and "Wondering and Thinking of You." The two Apollo sessions from August 1945 are driven by the pulsing bass of young Charles Mingus, Bill Doggett's double-fisted piano, and some feisty drumming by Al "Cake" Wichard. For a precious glimpse into the developing ballad philosophy of Mr. Mingus, listen carefully to his accompaniment behind Jacquet's passionate sax on "Memories of You" and "Ghost of a Chance." Ming walks briskly through "Bottoms Up," a rocking re-bop dance with howling horns and strutting rhythm. "Merle's Mood" seems to have been based upon "Paper Moon," and Mingus crowds the microphone to provide extra pushes during Bill Doggett's "What's This." Two sides waxed for ARA at the end of the same month and issued as by the Jacque Rabbits are graced with the return of Sir Charles, whose composition "Ladies Lullaby" is actually another jump tune fortified with bop ideas. "Illinois Stomp" is a very sophisticated bounce. The closing eight tracks were originally issued bearing the Savoy label, and feature trumpeter Emmett Berry, an interesting blend with the salty and often florid Mr. Jacquet. (The last three selections in fact were issued under the name of Emmett Berry's Hot Six.) "Don't Blame Me" is one of this saxophonist's great triumphs of ballad artistry. The spicy "Jumpin' Jacquet" is driven by rhythm guitarist Freddie Green, bassist John Simmons, and master percussionist Shadow Wilson, while Berry percolates using a mute. "Blue Mood" is a meditative masterpiece. Every single track on this CD is strongly presented and well worth experiencing again and again, with best wishes for loosening up, nodding your head, popping your fingers, and cracking a smile. arwulf arwulf     Tracklist :

ILLINOIS JACQUET – 1951-1952 | The Chronogical Classics – 1376 (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This fourth installment in the Classics Illinois Jacquet chronology contains some of his very best recordings from the early '50s, originally released on the Mercury and Clef labels. The first three tracks were recorded in Los Angeles on January 18, 1951, with excellent support from pianist Carl Perkins, guitarist Oscar Moore, bassist Red Callender, and master percussionist J.C. Heard. The next session took place in New York four months later with an equally outstanding group composed of Hank Jones on piano and celeste, guitarist John Collins, bassist Gene Ramey, and the mighty Art Blakey inside of the drums. The ballads are superb, the ambling grooves irresistible, and "Cotton Tail" is taken to the verge of a nice rolling boil. "Weary Blues" is not the famous old-time stomp by Artie Matthews but rather a relaxed original ambulation in blue, quite soulful and dignified. Its flip side, simply entitled "Groovin'," is a case study in jamming with all five burners lit. The next three tracks were recorded on March 21, 1952, using what was essentially the Count Basie Orchestra with John Acea at the 88s. Jacquet rolls along in front of this steamy 14-piece band, sounding completely at home and in command. This outstanding compilation closes with eight tracks recorded in July and December of 1952. On the July date, Jacquet's remarkable rhythm section consisted of Hank Jones, Freddie Green, Ray Brown, and Jimmy Crawford, augmented with Count Basie himself at the organ. The December band was an amazing variation on the previous ensemble: Hank Jones now played the organ with Sir Charles Thompson sitting in on piano along with guitarist Joe Sinacore, bassist Al Lucas, and ace drummer Shadow Wilson. Given the excellence of each and every performance, the jaw-dropping collective personnel, and the overall striking artistic integrity of the featured tenor saxophonist, this CD belongs among the very best recordings by this artist or anyone else who had a hand in the development of early modern jazz. arwulf arwulf       Tracklist + Credits :

BUDDY TATE – 1945-1950 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1207 (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Buddy Tate gained his initial fame as one of the tenor saxophonists with Count Basie's Orchestra during 1938-1948, replacing Herschel Evans. All of his early dates as a leader are on this CD, and most of the sessions were formerly quite rare. Tate is heard as a sideman in 1945 with trumpeter Karl George's swing-to-bop octet (which also starred trombonist J.J. Johnson), with pianist Skip Hall's combo in 1949 (four instrumentals featuring trumpeter Buck Clayton), and on four sessions of his own. Thirteen songs are from two dates near the end of 1947 and feature some excellent Emmett Berry trumpet, pianist Bill Doggett's arrangements, and a couple of early vocals by Jimmy Witherspoon; Tate comes across effectively in an Illinois Jacquet jump/jazz role. His other two dates (from 1949-1950) are in a similar vein, with Buck Clayton and trombonist Tyree Glenn helping out. A few songs along the way have vocals (a pair by Eddie Fullylove are essentially middle-of-the-road pop), but most of the music is quite worthwhile and swinging. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

MILDRED BAILEY – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1114 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Volume three in Mildred Bailey's Classics chronology revives 24 excellent recordings she made for the Vocalion label between January 19, 1937 and March 14, 1938. During this period, Bailey sang on quite a number of recordings issued (and subsequently reissued) under the name of her third husband, xylophonist Red Norvo. Everything on this compilation came out under the name of Mildred Bailey & Her Orchestra. A glance at the enclosed discography substantiates a claim made by producer Anatol Schenker in his liner notes: "The small band recordings made by Mildred Bailey in the late thirties certainly bear comparison with those made by Billie Holiday." Alternating throughout the discography with sessions featuring Red Norvo's big band, the septets heard backing Mildred Bailey are populated with accomplished improvisers like Roy Eldridge, Chu Berry, Buck Clayton, Scoops Carey, Herschel Evans, Hank D'Amico and Edmond Hall. The rhythm sections were driven by such master musicians as Teddy Wilson, Zutty Singleton, Freddie Green, Walter Page and Dave Tough. Anyone seeking particularly wonderful examples of Tough's marvelously controlled percussion artistry needs to listen to "I See Your Face Before Me," "Thanks for the Memory," "From the Land of Sky Blue Water" and "Lover Come Back to Me." Mildred Bailey was among the very first people in showbiz to recognize Billie Holiday's unique abilities as a jazz vocalist. This compilation demonstrates some of the songs, moods and instrumentalists that the two singers had in common. A more far-reaching assessment of their parallel careers is sobering; Billie Holiday struggled against racism, patriarchal oppression, entrenched conventions that made her feel like her own voice was "not legitimate," and a swarm of pernicious addictions that ultimately slew her. Mildred Bailey pioneered the feminine art of jazz singing and enjoyed enormous popularity for a while during the '30s; then, obese and diabetic, she found herself marginalized as an insufficiently svelte anomaly and was ultimately discarded by an entertainment industry that has always valued physical glamour over artistic ability. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

TEDDY WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 531 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For this Classics CD (one in a series of Teddy Wilson releases that reissue all of the pianist's early recordings as a leader), Billie Holiday is featured on nine of the titles including "I'll Get By," "Mean to Me," "Foolin' Myself," and "Easy Living"; all of those gems also feature tenor saxophonist Lester Young. Much rarer are three songs with singer Helen Ward, a vocal by Frances Hunt ("Big Apple"), three by the forgotten vocalist Boots Castle, and five instrumentals. It is a pity that the selections without Holiday were not reissued separately since the Lady Day performances are generally quite common. Such immortal sidemen are heard from as Young, trumpeters Cootie Williams, Harry James and Buck Clayton, altoist Johnny Hodges, baritonist Harry Carney, and clarinetists Buster Bailey and Benny Goodman; this music is essential in one form or another. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

JOE SULLIVAN – 1933-1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 821 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

All of pianist Joe Sullivan's early recordings as a leader are on this definitive CD. Sullivan is heard in a dozen solo performances from 1933, 1935, and 1941 (including the two earliest versions of his hit "Little Rock Getaway" along with memorable renditions of "My Little Pride and Joy" and "Honeysuckle Rose"), four selections with the Three Deuces (a trio with clarinetist Pee Wee Russell and drummer Zutty Singleton), and eight numbers with an octet featuring the underrated trumpeter Ed Anderson, trombonist Benny Morton, clarinetist Edmond Hall, and vocals by Big Joe Turner (who manages to turn "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" into a blues) and Helen Ward. This French import is essential for fans of the great stride pianist. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

ZOOT SIMS | BOB BROOKMEYER - Stretching Out + Kansas City Revisited (1958-2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

"Stretching Out". Like many studio sessions recorded for United Artists, this 1958 session co-led by Zoot Sims and Bob Brookmeyer can be a bit tricky to find. Brookmeyer contributed most of the charts, including the easygoing blues which serves as the title track, as well as updated treatments of Jelly Roll Morton's "King Porter Stomp" and "Ain't Misbehavin'." Al Cohn is responsible for a swinging chart of "Pennies from Heaven" during which he switches to baritone sax, while Bill Potts wrote and arranged "Bee Kay." The rest of the superb band includes Harry "Sweets" Edison, Hank Jones, bassist Eddie Jones, guitarist Freddie Green, and drummer Charlie Persip. Aside from a few innocuous reed squeaks, the music is essentially flawless and has stood the test of time very well.

"Kansas City Revisited". Cool jazz meets swing on this valuable LP. Valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, tenors Al Cohn and Paul Quinichette, pianist Nat Pierce, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Osie Johnson perform four songs associated with the late-'30s Count Basie Orchestra plus a couple of numbers ("A Blues" and "Travlin' Light") that are sung by the underrated vocalist Big Miller who was making his recording debut at the time. web
Stretching Out
1    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    Stretching Out    6:08
Written-By – Bob Brookmeyer
2    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    Now Will You Be Good 5:27   
Written-By – Terke, Jentes, Pease
3    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    Pennies From Heaven    6:15
Written-By – Johnston, Burke
4    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    King Porter Stomp    4:38
Written-By – Morton, Robbins, Burke
5    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    Ain't Misbehavin'    6:54
Written-By – Razaf, Brooks, Waller
6    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    Bee Kay    6:42
Written-By – Bill Potts
Kansas City Revisited   
7    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    Jumpin' At The Woodside    8:00
8    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    A Blues (What's On Your Mind)    5:05
9    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    Blue And Sentimental    6:53
10    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    Doggin' Around    8:40
11    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    Moten Swing    10:12
12    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    Trav'lin' Light    3:35
Credits :
1-6
Arranged By – Bill Potts
Arranged By, Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn
Arranged By, Valve Trombone, Liner Notes – Bob Brookmeyer
Bass – Eddie Jones
Drums – Charlie Persip
Guitar – Freddie Green
Piano – Hank Jones
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trumpet – Harry Edison
7-12
Bass – Addison Farmer
Drums – Osie Johnson
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – Nat Pierce
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, Paul Quinichette
Valve Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer

AL COHN, JOE NEWMAN & FREDDIE GREEN - Mosaic Select 27 (2007) 3xCD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This Mosaic compilation draws from material that comprised five separate RCA Victor LPs of the 1950: Al Cohn's The Natural Seven and The Jazz Workshop: Four Brass, One Tenor, Freddie Green's Mr. Rhythm, plus two Joe Newman records, All I Wanna Do Is Swing and I'm Still Swinging. Cohn, Green, and Newman are the common element to all of the recording sessions, leading bands ranging from septets to nonets.The Natural Seven was inspired by the Kansas City Seven drawn from the Count Basie band of the 1930s, and while the arrangements by Cohn and Manny Albam swing lightly in the style of Basie's septet, the focus is more on originals written for the session rather than simply recreating earlier recordings. Joining them are pianist Nat Pierce, trombonist Frank Rehak, bassist Milt Hinton, and drummer Osie Johnson, highlighted by the upbeat unison horn line in Cohn's "Pick a Dilly" and Albam's swinging "Jump the Blues Away." Johnson even adds a vocal on his fun-filled "Osie's Blues." Cohn's other session as a leader includes Thad Jones with either Joe Wilder, Bernie Glow, or Phil Sunkel on third trumpet, with Dick Katz doubling on valve trombone and trumpet, pianist Dick Katz, and bassist Buddy Jones subbing for the previous personnel. Once more, Cohn and Albam split up the arrangements, with the tenor saxophonist benefiting from the quartet of brass players accompanying him. "Rosetta" and the leader's "Cohn Not Cohen" are among the highlights. Freddie Green was known for his superb timekeeping in the Basie band, a tenure which lasted a half-century until his passing in 1987, just a few years after the leader. Mr. Rhythm marked the first issued under his own name, plus eight of the dozen songs are Green's compositions, with Green sticking to playing rhythm throughout the date. Cohn, Albam, and Ernie Wilkins provide the swinging arrangements of the mostly blues-oriented material, while Cohn doubles on both clarinet and bass clarinet in addition to playing tenor sax. Two dates led by Newman in 1955 also fit in nicely, with either Frank Rehak or Urbie Green on trombone, Wilkins or Gene Quill on alto sax, and Pierce or Dick Katz on piano. Newman, who tended to be overshadowed by many of the other swing and bop trumpeters active at the time, shines on both open and muted horn, while featuring his musicians prominently throughout both dates. Green's "Corner Pocket" and a buoyant treatment of the standard "Exactly Like You" especially stand out. Most of this music was reissued on CD during the '80s and '90s, though none of it remained in print for long. Ken Dryden  
All Tracks & Credits

FREDDIE GREEN | AL COHN - Natural Rhythm (1987) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Wonderful mid-50s date with Freddie Green (g) stepping outside Basie's orchestra; Joe Newman accenting things on trumpet.
Freddie Green - Mr. Rhythm - RCA Victor LPM-1210    
1    Up In The Blues    2:32
2    Down For Double    3:57
3    Back And Forth    2:16
4    Free And Easy    3:23
5    Learnin' The Blues    3:27
6    Feed Bag    2:57
7    Something's Gotta Give    2:52
8    Easy Does It    3:41
9    Little Red    2:07
10    Swinging Back    3:21
11    A Date With Ray    4:51
12    When You Wish Upon A Star    2:36
Al Cohn - The Natural Seven - RCA Victor LPM-1116    
13    Doggin' Around    2:59
14    Jump The Blues Away    2:54
15    Jack's Kinda Swing    3:33
16    The Natural Thing To Do    2:58
17    A. C. Meets Osie    2:40
18    Baby Please    3:02
19    9:20 Special    2:56
20    Pick A Dilly    3:28
21    Count Me In    3:32
22    Freddie's Tune    3:24
Notas.
Release combines tracks from 2 LPs as described in the headings.
The two LPs featured the same personnel except the trombonist.
Both LPs recorded in 1955.
Total playing time = 70:53 min
Tracks A-1 ("A Kiss To Build A Dream On") and B-6 ("Osie's Blues") from the LP "The Natural Seven" were not included in this CD..
Credits :
Bass – Milt Hinton
Drums – Osie Johnson
Piano – Nat Pierce
Rhythm Guitar – Freddie Green
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn
Trombone – Frank Rehak (pistas: 13 to 22), Henry Coker (pistas: 1 to 12)
Trumpet – Joe Newman

BENNY CARTER - The Music Master (2004) 4CD SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Throughout much of the 20th century, Benny Carter was an accomplished composer, arranger, leader, sideman, and multi-instrumentalist. In 2004 the U.K.'s Proper label served his memory well with Proper Box 68 which carefully examines a 22-year segment from his unusually lengthy career. If a reasonably priced 88-track, four-CD set of swing and early modern mainstream jazz dating from 1930-1952 seems like too much of a good thing, maybe you really need to hear more jazz and not less, for here in the land of its birth we still have a lot of catching up to do in order to better comprehend this important part of our cultural heritage. A sensible two-CD equivalent would be Living Era's 51-track compilation When Lights Are Low, which has 31 tracks in common with Proper Box 68 and includes examples of Carter with Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra and McKinney's Cotton Pickers. Proper focuses more closely on bands which operated under Carter's direct leadership or influence. Although Carter is most often pictured holding an alto saxophone, he played a lot of trumpet as well as clarinet, tenor sax, and even a bit of drums. As an altoist he resembled Hilton Jefferson, Willie Smith, Johnny Hodges, and the young Pete Brown. For all his expertise as a reedman, Carter blows plenty of fine trumpet on Music Master.

Most of the first disc is devoted to the early '30s. Carter is heard leading his own bands, sitting in with visiting Englishman Spike Hughes & His Negro Orchestra, and with the Chocolate Dandies, a recurrent all-star swing band with varying personnel. Four different Chocolate Dandies sessions are represented on this collection. The first of these, recorded in December 1930, was essentially a condensed version of the Fletcher Henderson orchestra with Horace Henderson at the piano. The December 1933 Chocolate Dandies were racially mixed, which was a significant accomplishment back then. Carter revived the Dandies in the '40s with powerful improvisers like Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Buck Clayton, and Ben Webster. Carter's productive adventures in Europe during the late '30s are well represented on this collection, appearing near the end of the first disc and occupying more than half of the second. Starting in London, the tour takes you through Copenhagen, Laren, Den Haag, and finally Paris, where he recorded "Farewell Blues" and "Blue Light Blues" with an octet that included tenor man Alix Combelle and guitarist Django Reinhardt. For thrilling examples of Carter's handling of the tenor saxophone during his London sessions, you might want to hunt down his 1936-1937 recordings as reissued in chronological sequence by Classics, as well as his alternate takes on Neatwork 2063.

Throughout the '40s, Carter recorded with many of the best jazz musicians on the scene, and Proper provides an excellent overview of his work during this period. The inclusion of two Keynote sessions from 1946 is a real treat, with Carter leading his own quartet and guesting with a small combo led by pianist Arnold Ross. The big surprise on Disc Four is the vocal on "Out of My Way" by drummer Sid Catlett: this may well be the only time he ever used his voice on a recording. Proper's Benny Carter edition finishes with seven examples of Carter as an early modern mainstream jazzman in groups assembled by producer Norman Granz. First comes the historic blowing session with the one-time-only combination of Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter, and Ben Webster. The closing tracks feature Carter backed by Oscar Peterson's quartet, with strings added on "Isn't It Romantic?" and "Key Largo." arwulf arwulf
DISC 1 : ACCENT ON SWING    
1-1    The Chocolate Dandies–    Goodbye Blues 3:17
Bass – John Kirby
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Guitar [Or] – Benny Jackson, Clarence Holiday
Piano – Horace Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Jimmy Harrison
Trumpet – Bobby Stark
1-2    The Chocolate Dandies–    Cloudy Skies 2:54
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Guitar [Or] – Benny Jackson, Clarence Holiday
Piano – Horace Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Jimmy Harrison
Trumpet – Bobby Stark
Tuba – John Kirby
1-3    The Chocolate Dandies–    Got Another Sweetie Now 2:59
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Guitar [Or] – Benny Jackson, Clarence Holiday
Piano – Horace Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone, Vocals – Jimmy Harrison
Trumpet – Bobby Stark
Tuba – John Kirby
1-4    The Chocolate Dandies–    Bugle Call Rag 2:49
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Guitar [Or] – Benny Jackson, Clarence Holiday
Piano – Horace Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Jimmy Harrison
Trumpet – Bobby Stark
Tuba – John Kirby
1-5    The Chocolate Dandies–    Dee Blues 2:55
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Guitar [Or] – Benny Jackson, Clarence Holiday
Piano – Horace Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Jimmy Harrison
Trumpet – Bobby Stark
Tuba – John Kirby
1-6    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Swing It 3:10
Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass – Ernest Hill
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
Trumpet, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
1-7    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Synthetic Love 3:25
Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass – Ernest Hill
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
Trumpet, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
1-8    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Six Bells Stampede 2:39
Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass – Ernest Hill
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
Trumpet, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
1-9    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Love, You're Not The One For Me 3:32
Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass – Ernest Hill
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
Trumpet, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
1-10    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Sweet Sue, Just You 2:59
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass, Leader – Spike Hughes
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins, Chu Berry
Trombone – Dicky Wells
Trumpet – Henry "Red" Allen
1-11    The Chocolate Dandies–    Blue Interlude 3:25
Bass – Ernest Hill
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Floyd O'Brien
Trumpet – Max Kaminsky
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
1-12    The Chocolate Dandies–    I Never Knew 3:03
Bass – Ernest Hill
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Floyd O'Brien
Trumpet – Max Kaminsky
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
1-13    The Chocolate Dandies–    Once Upon A Time 3:24
Bass – Ernest Hill
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Floyd O'Brien
Trumpet – Max Kaminsky
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
1-14    The Chocolate Dandies–    Krazy Kapers 3:28
Bass – Ernest Hill
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Floyd O'Brien
Trumpet – Max Kaminsky
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
1-15    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Devil's Holiday 3:06
Alto Saxophone – Glyn Paque
Bass – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Drums – Sid Catlett
Flute, Alto Saxophone – Wayman Carver
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Trombone – Fred Robinson, J.C. Higginbotham, Keg Johnson
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Eddie Mallory, Dick Clark
1-16    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Lonesome Nights 3:33
Alto Saxophone – Glyn Paque
Bass – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Drums – Sid Catlett
Flute, Alto Saxophone – Wayman Carver
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Trombone – Fred Robinson, J.C. Higginbotham, Keg Johnson
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Eddie Mallory, Dick Clark
1-17    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Symphony In Riffs 3:03
Alto Saxophone – Glyn Paque
Bass – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Drums – Sid Catlett
Flute, Alto Saxophone – Wayman Carver
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Trombone – Fred Robinson, J.C. Higginbotham, Keg Johnson
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Eddie Mallory, Dick Clark
1-18    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Blue Lou 3:05
Alto Saxophone – Glyn Paque
Bass – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Drums – Sid Catlett
Flute, Alto Saxophone – Wayman Carver
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Trombone – Fred Robinson, J.C. Higginbotham, Keg Johnson
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Eddie Mallory, Dick Clark
1-19    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Shoot The Works 2:57
Alto Saxophone – Ben Smith, Russell Procope
Bass – Elmer James
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Drums – Walter Johnson
Guitar – Clarence Holiday
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Benny Morton, Keg Johnson
Trumpet – Irving Randolph, Otis Johnson, Russell Smith
1-20    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Dream Lullaby 3:09
Alto Saxophone – Ben Smith, Russell Procope
Bass – Elmer James
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Drums – Walter Johnson
Guitar – Clarence Holiday
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Benny Morton, Keg Johnson
Trumpet – Irving Randolph, Otis Johnson, Russell Smith
2-21    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Everybody Shuffle 3:02
Alto Saxophone – Ben Smith, Russell Procope
Bass – Elmer James
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Drums – Walter Johnson
Guitar – Clarence Holiday
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Benny Morton, Keg Johnson
Trumpet – Irving Randolph, Otis Johnson, Russell Smith
2-22    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    These Foolish Things 3:00
Alto Saxophone – E. O. Pogson
Bass – Al Burke
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Andy McDevitt
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Drums – Ronnie Gubertini
Guitar – George Elliott
Piano – Pat Dodd
Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Featherstonehaugh
Trombone – Bill Mulraney, Ted Heath
Trumpet – Duncan Whyte, Max Goldberg, Tommy McQuater
2-23    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Accent On Swing 2:49
Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Bass – Wally Morris
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Andy McDevitt, Freddy Gardner
Drums – George Elrick
Guitar – Albert Harris
Piano – Billy Munn
Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Featherstonehaugh
Trombone – Lew Davis, Ted Heath
Trumpet – Max Goldberg, Tommy McQuater
Trumpet, Trombone – Leslie Thompson
DISC 2 : WHEN LIGHTS ARE LOW    
2-1    Benny Carter And His Swing Quartet–    When Lights Are Low 2:48
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Wally Morris
Drums – George Elrick
Guitar – Bernard Addison
Piano – Gene Rodgers
Vocals – Elisabeth Welch
2-2    Benny Carter With Kai Ewans' Orchestra–    Blue Interlude 3:07
Alto Saxophone – Kai Ewans
Bass – Kelof Nielsen
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Aage Voss
Drums – Eric Kragh
Guitar – Hans Ulrik Neumann
Piano – Christian Jensen
Tenor Saxophone – Anker Skjoldborg, Knut Knutsson
Trombone – Palmer Traulsen, Peter Rasmussen
Trumpet – Axel Skouby, Kurt Pederson, Olaf Carlsson
Trumpet, Drums, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
2-3    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Gin And Jive 2:55
Bass – Wally Morris
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Andy McDevitt, Freddy Gardner
Drums – Al Craig
Guitar – Albert Harris
Piano – Eddie Macauley
Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Featherstonehaugh, George Evans
Trombone – Bill Mulraney, Lew Davis
Trumpet – Leslie Thompson, Tommy McQuater
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
2-4    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Nagasaki 2:57
Bass – Wally Morris
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Andy McDevitt, Freddy Gardner
Drums – Al Craig
Guitar – Albert Harris
Piano – Eddie Macauley
Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Featherstonehaugh, George Evans
Trombone – Bill Mulraney, Lew Davis
Trumpet – Leslie Thompson, Tommy McQuater
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
2-5    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    There's A Small Hotel 3:05
Bass – Wally Morris
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Andy McDevitt, Freddy Gardner
Drums – Al Craig
Guitar – Albert Harris
Piano – Eddie Macauley
Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Featherstonehaugh, George Evans
Trombone – Bill Mulraney, Lew Davis
Trumpet – Leslie Thompson, Tommy McQuater
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
2-6    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    I'm In The Mood For Swing 2:32
Bass – Wally Morris
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Andy McDevitt, Freddy Gardner
Drums – Al Craig
Guitar – Albert Harris
Piano – Eddie Macauley
Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Featherstonehaugh, George Evans
Trombone – Bill Mulraney, Lew Davis
Trumpet – Leslie Thompson, Tommy McQuater
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Arranged By – Benny Carter
2-7    Benny Carter And The Ramblers–    I'll Never Give In 2:40
Bass – Jack Pet
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Andre Van Der Ouderaa, Wim Poppink
Drums – Kees Kranenburg
Leader – Theo Uden Masman
Piano – Freddy Johnson
Tenor Saxophone – Sal Doof
Trombone – Marcel Thielemans
Trumpet – George Van Helvoirt, Jack Bulterman
Trumpet, Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
2-8    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Skip It 2:56
Alto Saxophone – Louis Stephenson
Bass – Len Harrison
Drums – Robert Montmarché
Guitar – Ray Webb
Piano – Freddy Johnson
Tenor Saxophone – Bertie King, Jimmy Williams
Trombone – George Chisholm, Harry Van Oven
Trumpet – Cliff Woodridge, Rolf Goldstein, Sam Dasberg
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
2-9    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Lazy Afternoon 3:01
Alto Saxophone – Louis Stephenson
Bass – Len Harrison
Drums – Robert Montmarché
Guitar – Ray Webb
Piano – Freddy Johnson
Tenor Saxophone – Bertie King, Jimmy Williams
Trombone – George Chisholm, Harry Van Oven
Trumpet – Cliff Woodridge, Rolf Goldstein, Sam Dasberg
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
2-10    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Blues In My Heart 2:33
Alto Saxophone – Louis Stephenson
Bass – Len Harrison
Drums – Robert Montmarché
Guitar – Ray Webb
Piano – Freddy Johnson
Tenor Saxophone – Bertie King, Jimmy Williams
Trombone – George Chisholm, Harry Van Oven
Trumpet – Cliff Woodridge, Rolf Goldstein, Sam Dasberg
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
2-11    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Somebody Loves Me 2:46
Bass – Len Harrison
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Jimmy Williams
Drums – Robert Montmarché
Guitar – Ray Webb
Piano – Freddy Johnson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – George Chisholm
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
2-12    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Mighty Like The Blues 3:02
Bass – Len Harrison
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Jimmy Williams
Drums – Robert Montmarché
Guitar – Ray Webb
Piano – Freddy Johnson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – George Chisholm
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
2-13    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Pardon Me, Pretty Baby 2:57
Bass – Len Harrison
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Jimmy Williams
Drums – Robert Montmarché
Guitar – Ray Webb
Piano – Freddy Johnson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – George Chisholm
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
2-14    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    My Buddy 2:47
Bass – Len Harrison
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Jimmy Williams
Drums – Robert Montmarché
Guitar – Ray Webb
Piano – Freddy Johnson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – George Chisholm
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
2-15    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Farewell Blues 3:13
Alto Saxophone – Fletcher Allen
Bass – Len Harrison
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Bertie King
Drums – Robert Montmarché
Guitar – Django Reinhardt
Piano – Yorke De Souza*
Tenor Saxophone – Alix Combelle
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
2-16    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Blue Light Blues 3:04
Alto Saxophone – Fletcher Allen
Bass – Len Harrison
Clarinet, Tenor Trombone – Bertie King
Drums – Robert Montmarché
Guitar – Django Reinhardt
Piano – Yorke De Souza
Tenor Saxophone – Alix Combelle
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
2-17    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Melancholy Lullaby 2:55
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Carl Frye, James Powell
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Drums – Henry Morrison
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Eddie Heywood
Tenor Saxophone – Castor McCord, Ernie Powell
Trombone – James Archey, Vic Dickenson
Trombone, Vibraphone – Tyree Glenn
Trumpet – George Woodlen, Joe Thomas, Lincoln Mills
2-18    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    When Lights Are Low 2:50
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Carl Frye, James Powell
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Eddie Heywood, Henry Morrison
Tenor Saxophone – Castor McCord, Ernie Powell
Trombone – James Archey, Vic Dickenson
Trombone, Vibraphone – Tyree Glenn
Trumpet – Eddie Mullens, Joe Thomas, Lincoln Mills
Vocals – Dell St. John
2-19    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Riff Romp 2:55
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Carl Frye, James Powell
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Drums – Henry Morrison
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Eddie Heywood
Tenor Saxophone – Castor McCord, Ernie Powell
Trombone – James Archey, Vic Dickenson
Trombone, Vibraphone – Tyree Glenn
Trumpet – Eddie Mullens, Joe Thomas, Lincoln Mills
Vocals – Dell St. John
2-20    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Shufflebug Shuffle 2:45
Alto Saxophone – Carl Frye, James Powell
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Drums – William Purnell
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Eddie Heywood
Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Powell, Sammy Davis
Trombone – James Archey, Tyree Glenn, Vic Dickenson
Trumpet – Eddie Mullens, Irving Randolph, Joe Thomas, Lincoln Mills
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
2-21    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Sleep 2:57
Alto Saxophone – Carl Frye, James Powell
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Drums – William Purnell
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Eddie Heywood
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins, Stanley Payne
Trombone – Gene Simon, James Archey, Vic Dickenson
Trumpet – Joe Thomas, Lincoln Mills, Russell Smith
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
2-22    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Fish Fry 3:10
Alto Saxophone – Carl Frye, James Powell
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Drums – William Purnell
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Eddie Heywood
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins, Stanley Payne
Trombone – Gene Simon, James Archey, Vic Dickenson
Trumpet – Joe Thomas, Lincoln Mills, Russell Smith
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
2-23    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Slow Freight 3:20
Alto Saxophone – Carl Frye, James Powell
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Drums – William Purnell
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Eddie Heywood
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins, Stanley Payne
Trombone – Gene Simon, James Archey, Vic Dickenson
Trumpet – Joe Thomas, Lincoln Mills, Russell Smith
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
2-24    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Night Hop 3:08
Alto Saxophone – Carl Frye, George Dorsey
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Drums – William Purnell
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Sammy Davis, Stafford Simon
Trombone – Milton Robinson, Sandy Williams
Trumpet – Bill Coleman, Russell Smith, Shad Collins
2-25    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Pom Pom
Alto Saxophone – Carl Frye, George Dorsey
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Drums – William Purnell
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Sammy Davis, Stafford Simon
Trombone – Milton Robinson, Sandy Williams
Trumpet – Bill Coleman, Russell Smith, Shad Collins
DISC 3 : BACK BAY BOOGIE    
3-1    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    O.K. For Baby 3:03
Alto Saxophone – Carl Frye, George Dorsey
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Drums – William Purnell
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Sammy Davis, Stafford Simon
Trombone – Milton Robinson, Sandy Williams
Trumpet – Bill Coleman, Russell Smith, Shad Collins
3-2    The Chocolate Dandies–    Smack 2:36
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – John Kirby
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Bernard Addison
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trumpet – Roy Eldridge
3-3    The Chocolate Dandies–    I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me 4:12
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – John Kirby
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Bernard Addison
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trumpet – Roy Eldridge
3-4    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Boogie Woogie Sugar Blues 3:06
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Chauncey Haughton
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – George James
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Drums – William Purnell
Guitar – Everett Barksdale
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – George Irish, Stafford Simon
Trombone – Madison Vaughan, Milton Robinson
Trumpet – Bobby Williams, Jonah Jones, Russell Smith
3-5    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    All Of Me 3:20
Alto Saxophone – Chauncey Haughton
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – George James
Bass – Hayes Alvis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Drums – William Purnell
Guitar – Everett Barksdale
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – George Irish, Stafford Simon
Trombone – Benny Morton, Madison Vaughan, Milton Robinson
Trumpet – Bobby Williams, Russell Smith, Sidney De Paris
3-6    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Cuddle Up, Huddle Up 2:43
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Bill White, George Dorsey
Bass – Ted Sturgis
Drums – J.C. Heard
Guitar – Herb Thomas
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Fred Mitchell, George Irish
Trombone – James Archey, Joe Britton
Trumpet – Jonah Jones, Russell Smith, Sidney De Paris
3-7    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Midnight 3:16
Alto Saxophone – Eddie Barefield, Ernie Purce
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Bass – Charles Drayton
Drums – Al Taylor
Guitar – Herb Thomas
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Powell, Fred Williams
Trombone – James Archey*, Joe Britton, Vic Dickenson
Trumpet – Doc Cheatham, Lincoln Mills, Sidney De Paris
Vocals – Maxine Sullivan
3-8    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Lullaby To A Dream 3:07
Alto Saxophone – Eddie Barefield, Ernie Purce
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Bass – Charles Drayton
Drums – Al Taylor
Guitar – Herb Thomas
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Powell, Fred Williams
Trombone – James Archey, Joe Britton, Vic Dickenson
Trumpet – Doc Cheatham, Lincoln Mills, Sidney De Paris
3-9    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    What A Difference A Day Made 3:02
Alto Saxophone – Eddie Barefield, Ernie Purce
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Bass – Charles Drayton
Drums – Al Taylor
Guitar – Herb Thomas
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Powell, Fred Williams
Trombone – James Archey, Joe Britton, Vic Dickenson
Trumpet – Doc Cheatham, Lincoln Mills, Sidney De Paris
Vocals – Maxine Sullivan
3-10    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Sunday 2:45
Alto Saxophone – Ernie Purce, George James
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Bass – Charles Drayton
Drums – Berisford 'Shep' Shepherd
Guitar – William Lewis
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Alfred Gibson, Ernie Powell
Trombone – Benny Morton, James Archey, John McConnell
Trumpet – Emmett Berry, Nathaniel Williams, Rostelle Reese
3-11    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Back Bay Boogie 2:54
Alto Saxophone – Ernie Purce, George James
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Bass – Charles Drayton
Drums – Berisford 'Shep' Shepherd
Guitar – William Lewis
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Alfred Gibson, Ernie Powell
Trombone – Benny Morton, James Archey, John McConnell
Trumpet – Emmett Berry, Nathaniel Williams, Rostelle Reese
3-12    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Poinciana 3:01
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Porter Kilbert
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Willard Brown
Bass – Curley Russell
Drums – Oscar Bradley
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Humphrey Ted Brannon
Tenor Saxophone – Bumps Myers, Eugene Porter
Trombone – Alton Moore, J.J. Johnson, Shorty Haughton
Trumpet – Claude Dunson, Freddie Webster, Ted Buckner, Vernon Porter
3-13    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Love For Sale 3:01
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Porter Kilbert
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Willard Brown
Bass – Curley Russell
Drums – Oscar Bradley
Guitar – Ulysses Livingston
Piano – Humphrey Ted Brannon
Tenor Saxophone – Bumps Myers, Eugene Porter
Trombone – Alton Moore, J.J. Johnson, Shorty Haughton
Trumpet – Claude Dunson, Freddie Webster, Ted Buckner, Vernon Porter
3-14    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    I Can't Escape From You 3:21
Alto Saxophone – Porter Kilbert
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Willard Brown
Bass – Charles Drayton
Drums – Max Roach
Guitar – W.J. Edwards
Piano – Gerald Wiggins
Tenor Saxophone – Bumps Myers, Eugene Porter
Trombone – Alton Moore, Bart Varsalona, J.J. Johnson, Shorty Haughton
Trumpet – Edwin Davis, John Carroll, Karl George, Milton Fletcher
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
3-15    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    I Can't Get Started 2:51
Alto Saxophone – Porter Kilbert
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Willard Brown
Bass – Charles Drayton
Drums – Max Roach
Guitar – W.J. Edwards
Piano – Gerald Wiggins
Tenor Saxophone – Bumps Myers, Eugene Porter
Trombone – Alton Moore, Bart Varsalona, J.J. Johnson, Shorty Haughton
Trumpet – Edwin Davis, John Carroll, Karl George, Milton Fletcher
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
3-16    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    I Surrender Dear 3:03
Alto Saxophone – Porter Kilbert
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Willard Brown
Bass – Charles Drayton
Drums – Max Roach
Guitar – W.J. Edwards
Piano – Gerald Wiggins
Tenor Saxophone – Bumps Myers, Eugene Porter
Trombone – Alton Moore, Bart Varsalona, J.J. Johnson, Shorty Haughton
Trumpet – Edwin Davis, John Carroll, Karl George, Milton Fletcher
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
3-17    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Malibu 3:03
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Jewell Grant, Porter Kilbert
Baritone Saxophone – John Taylor
Bass – Charles Drayton
Drums – Max Roach
Guitar – Herman Mitchell
Piano – Rufus Webster
Tenor Saxophone – Bumps Myers, Harold Clark
Trombone – Alton Moore, George Washington, Henry Coker, Louis Taylor
Trumpet – Emmett Berry, Fred Trainer, Gerald Wilson, Irving Lewis, Paul Cohen
3-18    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Forever Blues 2:37
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Joe Epps, Porter Kilbert
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Willard Brown
Bass – Thomas Moultrie
Drums – Percy Brice
Guitar – James Cannady
Piano – Rufus Webster
Tenor Saxophone – Bumps Myers, Harold Clark
Trombone – Al Grey, Alton Moore, Charles Johnson, John Morris
Trumpet – Idrees Sulieman, Lewis Botton, Louis Gray, Wallace Jones
3-19    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Jump Call 2:53
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Joe Epps, Porter Kilbert
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Willard Brown
Bass – Thomas Moultrie
Drums – Percy Brice
Guitar – James Cannady
Piano – Rufus Webster
Tenor Saxophone – Bumps Myers, Harold Clark
Trombone – Al Grey, Alton Moore, Charles Johnson, John Morris
Trumpet – Idrees Sulieman, Lewis Botton, Louis Gray, Wallace Jones
3-20    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Looking For A Boy 2:51
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Russell Procope
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Willard Brown
Bass – John Simmons
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Tony Scott
Drums – J.C. Heard
Guitar – Freddie Green
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Dexter Gordon, Don Byas
Trombone – Al Grey, Alton Moore, Sandy Williams, Trummy Young
Trumpet – Emmett Berry, Joe Newman, Neal Hefti, Shorty Rogers
Vocals – Maxine Sullivan
3-21    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Rose Room 2:57
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Russell Procope
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Willard Brown
Bass – John Simmons
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Tony Scott
Drums – J.C. Heard
Guitar – Freddie Green
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Dexter Gordon, Don Byas
Trombone – Al Grey, Alton Moore, Sandy Williams, Trummy Young
Trumpet – Emmett Berry, Joe Newman, Neal Hefti, Shorty Rogers
3-22    Arnold Ross Quintet–    The Moon Is Low 2:48
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Artie Bernstein
Drums – Nick Fatool
Guitar – Allan Reuss
Piano – Arnold Ross
3-23    Arnold Ross Quintet–    Stairway To The Stars 3:07
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Artie Bernstein
Drums – Nick Fatool
Guitar – Allan Reuss
Piano – Arnold Ross
3-24    Arnold Ross Quintet–    Bye Bye Blues 2:44
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Artie Bernstein
Drums – Nick Fatool
Guitar – Allan Reuss
Piano – Arnold Ross
3-25    Arnold Ross Quintet–    I Don't Know Why I Love You, Like I Do 3:05
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Artie Bernstein
Drums – Nick Fatool
Guitar – Allan Reuss
Piano – Arnold Ross
DISCS 4 : FUNKY BLUES    
4-1    Benny Carter Quartet–    Moonglow 2:51
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Unknown Artist
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Piano – Sonny White
4-2    Benny Carter Quartet–    Give Me Something To Remember You By 2:47
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Unknown Artist
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Piano – Sonny White
4-3    Benny Carter Quartet–    Lady Be Good 2:38
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Unknown Artist
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Piano – Sonny White
4-4    Benny Carter Quartet–    Deep Purple 3:12
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Unknown Artist
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Piano – Sonny White
4-5    Benny Carter & His Chocolate Dandies–    Sweet Georgia Brown 2:35
Bass – John Simmons
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Drums – Sid Catlett
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Al Grey
Trumpet – Buck Clayton
4-6    Benny Carter & His Chocolate Dandies–    Out Of My Way 3:00
Bass – John Simmons
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Drums, Vocals – Sid Catlett
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Al Grey
Trumpet – Buck Clayton
4-7    Benny Carter & His Chocolate Dandies–    What'll It Be 3:16
Bass – John Simmons
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Drums – Sid Catlett
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Al Grey
Trumpet – Buck Clayton
4-8    Benny Carter & His Chocolate Dandies–    Cadillac Slim 3:01
Bass – John Simmons
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Drums – Sid Catlett
Piano – Sonny White
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Al Grey
Trumpet – Buck Clayton
4-9    Norman Granz' Jam Session–    Jam Blues 14:19
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – J.C. Heard
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Oscar Peterson
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster, Flip Phillips
Trumpet – Charlie Shavers
4-10    Norman Granz' Jam Session–    What Is This Thing Called Love? 15:23
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – J.C. Heard
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Oscar Peterson
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster, Flip Phillips
Trumpet – Charlie Shavers
4-11    Norman Granz' Jam Session–    Funky Blues 13:11
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – J.C. Heard
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Oscar Peterson
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster, Flip Phillips
Trumpet – Charlie Shavers
5-12    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Isn't It Romantic? 3:40
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Buddy Rich
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Oscar Peterson
Strings – Unknown Artist
4-13    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Gone With The Wind 2:56
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Buddy Rich
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Oscar Peterson
4-14    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good 2:55
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Buddy Rich
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Oscar Peterson
4-15    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Key Largo 3:06
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Buddy Rich
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Oscar Peterson
Strings – Unknown Artist