BENNY CARTER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1946-1948 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1043 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Benny Carter, like Coleman Hawkins, spent the '40s rubbing shoulders with bebop's young Turks, while mostly maintaining the style he forged during the early jazz and swing years. Possibly, like Hawkins again, Carter's '30s stay in Europe opened him up to the progressive nature of jazz and the necessity of always taking advantage of the music's complexities and malleability. And while Carter didn't ape Charlie Parker's alto flights or become a fixture at Minton's Playhouse, he did head up some fine big bands that featured the likes of Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, J.J. Johnson, Max Roach, and Howard McGhee, to name a few bebop figures. This Classics discs takes in some of Carter's adventurous big band sides from 1946-1948, including a California outfit with Davis and Gerald Wilson. On the more traditional end, Carter is also heard with swing contemporaries like Buck Clayton and Ben Webster. A fine document of the fertile transition from swing to bebop. Stephen Cook     Tracklist + Credits : 

GERALD WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1945-1946 | The Chronogical Classics – 976 (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

These are the first recordings to appear under the name of Gerald Wilson. Schooled at Cass Technical College in Detroit and seasoned on the road with Jimmie Lunceford, Wilson started leading his own excellent big band in 1944, employing many of the most promising young musicians in the Los Angeles area at that time. Wilson may be heard blowing his trumpet along with Hobart Dotson, Emmett Berry, Fred Trainor, and Snooky Young. During a lovely version of Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday," trombonist Melba Liston takes her very first solo on record. Saxophone soloists include Eddie Davis (not "Lockjaw"), Floyd Turnham, and beefy-toned tenor Vernon Slater. All nine instrumentals are exceptionally fine big-band swing performances. Note that "Puerto Rican Breakdown" is exciting but contains no discernible Caribbean characteristics. As for vocalists, Wilson made some interesting choices. Pat Kay, who sings "Moonrise," sounded substantial, as did Estelle Edson and Betty Roche. Dick Gray was at his best when he wasn't trying to out-vibrate Billy Eckstine. "I've Got a Right to Sing the Blues" contains his strongest moments. The Thrasher Sisters were a better act than a lot of other harmonizing vocal trios on the scene during the 1940s. They were without a doubt considerably hipper -- less corny -- than the Andrews Sisters. Even so, after all of those vocals the last four tracks -- instrumentals -- are especially satisfying. For here listeners get to enjoy the 1946 Gerald Wilson Orchestra at its very finest, swinging hard on themes borrowed from the Basie and Calloway bands, and glowing with the beauty of Melba Liston's original composition "Warm Mood." One cannot help but consider the impact of this band and the L.A. jazz scene of the mid-'40s upon two creative musicians who would so radically alter the course of modern music -- Charles Mingus and Eric Dolphy. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist :

GERALD WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1946-1954 | The Chronogical Classics – 1444 (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

After leaving Detroit and arriving in Los Angeles, Gerald Wilson formed his first big band in 1944. By 1946 he was firmly established as a fine trumpet player, arranger, and composer, and was developing a style fit not only for modern jazz, but also eventually film scores. The dramatics apropos for both formats is evident on this second installment of Wilson's chronological recordings for the Classics reissue label, culled from recordings originally on the Black & White, United Artists, Excelsior, Federal, King, and Audio Lab labels. There are five different mid-sized orchestras with musicians from L.A., all quite literate and displaying different areas of expertise, and Wilson writes with each player's individual sound in mind. Of course they work as a unified whole, and you get to hear a lot of Wilson's trumpet work. The Black & White sessions from 1946 have the band swinging very hard on the happy bop-bop "Et-ta," while hoppin' and barkin' for "The Saint." The opposite slow side is shown on "Pensive Mood" and the sad, dreary "The Moors." These tracks feature then-young trombonist, composer, and arranger Melba Liston, who of course would go on to great acclaim. Recordings from 1947 for United Artists and Excelsior feature vocalist Dan Grissom and there's a finger-snappin' group vocal with Grissom, Liston, and Trummy Young, "Va-ance," that approaches the territory of the Modernaires. Four more for Excelsior in 1949 reveal Wilson moving into film noir, hinted at by the spy movie piece "Dissonance in Blues" from the 1947 cuts, but more pronounced here. Wilson is assertive on his horn, and ramps up the dramatic tension on the stairstep motif of "The Black Rose" while also offering an expanded version of "Guarachi-Guaro," the second section infusing expansive oboe and flute. Here the outstanding West Coast alto saxophonist Buddy Collette also enters the fray. Jumping up to 1954, Wilson offers up three two-part pieces all prominently showcasing the exotic vibrato flute sound of Bill Green -- the hot and spicy "Mambo Mexicano," dynamic up-and-down desert dune caravan-ish "Algerian Fantasy," and slow-as-sunset "Lotus Land." These are much more provocative, but in addition, the band is loaded with all-stars like trumpeter Clark Terry, trombonist Britt Woodman, tenor saxophonists Paul Gonsalves and Teddy Edwards, and a very young Jerry Dodgion on alto sax. These cuts use pronounced world music elements in a way that Duke Ellington hinted at, and all are exuberant and levitating. The remaining pieces are the contradictory titled hard bopper "Romance," Khachaturian's famous Spanish classical ballad "Bull Fighter," and a different "Black Rose" (unknown author) than the one written by Wilson heard earlier on the CD. This collection really drives home how this group, unique unto itself, was able to stretch stereotypical big-band jazz and take it into a new arena, fueled by the vast imagination of Gerald Wilson. The only unsolved mystery: unattributed credits about various clearly audible Latin percussionists who are never identified. Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist + Credits :

JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 532 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For this Classics CD, most of the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra's earlier Vocalion recordings (owned by Columbia) are reissued. The loss of Sy Oliver in August 1939 (he was lured away by Tommy Dorsey) would soon hurt the band but they were still using Oliver's arrangemetns in the last session. "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home," "What Is This Thing Called Swing," a classic rendition of "Ain't She Sweet," "Well, All Right Then" and "Belgium Stomp" are among the more memorable selections on this CD which also has a few typically inferior Dan Grissom ballad vocals. Swing fans will want all of these CDs even if they do not include Lunceford's alternate takes. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Baby Won't You Please Come Home? 2:50
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Joe Thomas
2    You're Just A Dream 2:51
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
3    The Lonesome Road 2:31
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Trummy Young
4    You Set Me On Fire 2:38
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
5    I've Only Myself To Blame 2:45
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
6    What Is This Thing Called Swing? 2:26
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Joe Thomas
7    Mixup 2:18
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
8    Shoemaker's Holiday 2:50
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
9    Blue Blazes 2:50
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
10    Mandy 2:52
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
11    Easter Parade 2:40
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Trummy Young
12    Ain't She Sweet? 2:27
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Trummy Young
13    White Heat 2:20
Arranged By – Will Hudson
14    Oh Why, Oh Why 2:49
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
15    Well, All Right Then 2:42
Vocals – Orchestra
16    You Let Me Down 2:52
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
17    I Love You 2:46
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
18    Who Did You Meet Last Night? 2:35
Arranged By – Will Beines
Vocals – Dan Grissom
19    You Let Me Down 2:46
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
20    Sassin' The Boss 2:43
Arranged By – Jesse Stone
Vocals – Willie Smith
21    I Want The Waiter (With The Water) 2:43
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Orchestra, Trummy Young
22    I Used To Love You (But It's All Over Now) 2:45
Arranged By – Milton Hill
Vocals – Joe Thomas
23    Belgium Stomp 2:29
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
24    You Can Fool Some Of The People (Some Of TheTime) 2:21
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Trummy Young
25    Think Of Me, Little Daddy 2:42
Arranged By – Edward Inge
Vocals – Trummy Young
26    Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away) 2:37
Arranged By – Edward Inge
Flute – Jimmie Lunceford, Joe Thomas, Ted Buckner
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Dan Grissom, Ted Buckner
Bass – Moses Allen
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Earl Carruthers, Willie Smith
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Thomas
Directed By – Jimmie Lunceford
Drums, Vibraphone – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Al Norris
Piano, Celesta – Edwin Wilcox
Trombone – Elmer Crumbley, Russell Bowles, James "Trummy" Young
Trumpet – Eddie Tompkins, Gerald Wilson (tracks: 18 to 26), Paul Webster, Sy Oliver (tracks: 1 to 17)

JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 565 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra was at the height of its power and fame during the period covered by this Classics CD. Arranger-trumpeter Sy Oliver's defection to Tommy Dorsey hurt but his charts were still in the books and his replacement Snooky Young proved to be a superior first trumpeter and soloist. With altoist Willie Smith, Joe Thomas on tenor and trombonist Trummy Young still around as stars, the band was in top form on such numbers as "Uptown Blues," "Lunceford Special," "Bugs Parade," "What's Your Story, Mornin' Glory" and "Swingin' On C." All of the releases in this series are well worth picking up by swing collectors. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Put It Away 2:41
Arranged By – Will Beines
Vocals – Orchestra, Willie Smith
2    I'm Alone With You 2:37
Arranged By – B. Estes
3    Rock It For Me 2:38
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Joe Thomas
4    I'm In An Awful Mood 2:46
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Trummy Young
5    Wham (Re Bop Boom Bam) 2:53
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
Vocals – Orchestra, Willie Smith
6    Pretty Eyes 2:40
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Dan Grissom
7    Uptown Blues    2:53
8    Lunceford Special 2:49
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
9    Bugs Parade 2:29
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
10    Blues In The Groove 2:33
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
11    I Wanta Hear Swing Songs 2:54
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr., Sy Oliver
Vocals – Trummy Young
12    It's Time To Jump And Shout 2:53
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
13    What's Your Story, Mornin' Glory? 3:09
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
14    Dinah (Part I) 2:14
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
15    Dinah (Part II) 2:12
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Joe Thomas
16    Sonata By L. Van Beethoven ("Pathetique" Op. 13) 3:16
Arranged By – Chappie Willett
17    I Got It 2:55
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Trummy Young
18    Chopin's Prelude N°7 2:49
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr., Jimmie Lunceford
19    Swingin' On C 2:22
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
20    Let's Try Again 3:03
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Dan Grissom
21    Monotony In Four Flats 2:53
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
22    Barefoot Blues 2:43
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Willie Smith
23    Minnie The Moocher Is Dead 2:28
Arranged By – Roger Segure
24    I Ain't Gonna Study War No More 2:55
Arranged By – Roger Segure
25    Pavanne 2:48
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Credits :    
Bass – Moses Allen
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Dan Grissom
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Earl Carruthers, Willie Smith
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Ted Buckner
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Joe Thomas
Drums, Vibraphone – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Al Norris
Piano, Celesta – Edwin Wilcox
Trombone – Elmer Crumbley, Russell Bowles, James "Trummy" Young
Trumpet – Gerald Wilson (tracks: 9 to 25), Paul Webster, Eugene "Snooky" Young, Sy Oliver (tracks: 1 to 8)
Vocals – The Dandridge Sisters (tracks: 22 to 25)

JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1940-1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 622 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The European Classics label's Jimmie Lunceford series has thus far stopped with this release, one CD short of completing its task. With the loss of arranger-trumpet-vocalist Sy Oliver, Lunceford's band was still pretty strong although it was no longer developing as quickly as it had previously. During the year and a half covered by this CD, such numbers as "Whatcha Know, Joe," "Siesta at the Fiesta," "Yard Dog Mazurka" and the two-part "Blues in the Night" were recorded along with lesser material (including some dreary vocal features for Dan Grissom). Although not essential, this CD is recommended to Lunceford completists. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Whatcha Know Joe? 2:36
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Orchestra, Trummy Young
2    Red Wagon 2:30
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – The Dandridge Sisters
3    You Ain't Nowhere 2:52
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Orchestra, The Dandridge Sisters
4    Please Say The Word 2:37
Arranged By – Lonnie Wilfong
Vocals – Dan Grissom
5    Okay For Baby 3:06
Arranged By – Lonnie Wilfong
6    Flight Of The Jitterbug 2:27
Arranged By – Don Redman
7    Blue Afterglow 3:09
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Dan Grissom
8    Blue Prelude 2:56
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Dan Grissom
9    Twenty-Four Robbers 3:08
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Orchestra, Trummy Young
10    I Had A Premonition 2:54
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Dan Grissom
11    Battle Axe 2:44
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
12    Peace And Love For All (Prayer For Moderns) 3:11
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Violin – Al Norris
Vocals – Dan Grissom
13    Chocolate 2:53
Arranged By – Roger Segure
14    I'm Walking Through Heaven With You 3:08
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Dan Grissom
15    You're Always In My Dreams 2:41
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Dan Grissom
16    Flamingo 3:00
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Dan Grissom
17    Siesta At The Fiesta    2:56
18    Gone 3:04
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Dan Grissom
19    Hi Spook 2:53
Arranged By – Gerald Wilson
20    Yard Dog Mazurka 3:11
Arranged By – Gerald Wilson, Roger Segure
21    Impromptu 2:49
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
22    Blues In The Night - Part 1 2:36
Vocals – Orchestra, Willie Smith
23    Blues In The Night - Part 2 2:45
Vocals – Orchestra, Willie Smith
Credits :    
Bass – Moses Allen
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Dan Grissom, Ted Buckner
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Earl Carruthers, Willie Smith
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Thomas
Directed By – Jimmie Lunceford
Drums, Vibraphone – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Al Norris
Piano, Celesta – Edwin Wilcox
Trombone – Elmer Crumbley, Russell Bowles, James "Trummy" Young
Trumpet – Gerald Wilson, Paul Webster, Eugene "Snooky" Young

BENNY CARTER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1943-1946 | The Classics Chronological Series – 923 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pursuing a similar path to one taken by Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter followed up a bountiful start during the early jazz and nascent big band years with an ex-pat stay in Europe. In addition to heading up the BBC Dance Orchestra, Carter recorded several big band and combo sides throughout the continent. Upon his return to the U.S. in 1938, he formed another big band in New York, eventually moved to the West Coast, and continued leading both large and small groups. This Classics disc takes up the story upon Carter's L.A. arrival in 1943 and covers the first three years of his still-ongoing residency in the south land. Standing out amongst some enjoyable vocals from Maxine Sullivan and a clutch of Carter originals, the collection's high point comes with the many tracks Carter cut with a bebop-heavy band featuring the likes of Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Don Byas, Max Roach, Gerald Wilson, and J.J. Johnson (his recording debut), among many others. And while Davis is not actually heard here (check out Classics' 1946-1948 title), these performances are still chock full of energy and wit, with notably fine contributions coming from Gordon and Johnson. All of Carter's Classics discs are highly recommended, but this mid-'40s sampler should especially please those bebop lovers wanting to explore the world of swing. Stephen Cook
Tracklist :
1     Poinciana 3:00
Buddy Bernier / Nat Simon    
2     Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight 3:01
Sam M. Lewis / Joe Young
3     Hurry, Hurry! 2:49
Richard Larkin    
4     Love for Sale 3:01
Cole Porter    
5     I Can't Escape from You 3:20
Leo Robin / Richard A. Whiting    
6     I'm Lost 3:08
Otis Rene    
7     I Can't Get Started 2:50
Vernon Duke / Ira Gershwin    
8     I Surrender, Dear 3:02
Harry Barris / Gordon Clifford    
9     Daddy-O 2:53
Gene DePaul / Don Raye    
10     A Good Deal 3:14
Irving Berlin    
11     All Alone 2:57
Irving Berlin    
12     Daddy Daddy 2:42
Richard Berry / Joe Josea    
13     Malibu 3:03
Benny Carter    
14     Forever Blue 2:36
Benny Carter    
15     Prelude to a Kiss 3:15
Duke Ellington / Irving Gordon / Irving Mills    
16     Just You, Just Me 2:54
Jesse Greer / Raymond Klages    
17     Jump Call 2:56
Benny Carter    
18     Patience and Fortitude 2:39
Billy Moore / Blackie Warren    
19     Diga Diga Doo 2:51
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh    
20     Who's Sorry Now? 2:56
Bert Kalmar / Harry Ruby / Ted Snyder    
21     Some of These Days 2:45
Shelton Brooks    
22     I'm the Caring Kind 2:45
Benny Carter
23     Looking for a Boy 2:51
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
24     Rose Room 2:54
Art Hickman / Harry Williams

BENNY CARTER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1946-1948 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1043 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Benny Carter, like Coleman Hawkins, spent the '40s rubbing shoulders with bebop's young Turks, while mostly maintaining the style he forged during the early jazz and swing years. Possibly, like Hawkins again, Carter's '30s stay in Europe opened him up to the progressive nature of jazz and the necessity of always taking advantage of the music's complexities and malleability. And while Carter didn't ape Charlie Parker's alto flights or become a fixture at Minton's Playhouse, he did head up some fine big bands that featured the likes of Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, J.J. Johnson, Max Roach, and Howard McGhee, to name a few bebop figures. This Classics discs takes in some of Carter's adventurous big band sides from 1946-1948, including a California outfit with Davis and Gerald Wilson. On the more traditional end, Carter is also heard with swing contemporaries like Buck Clayton and Ben Webster. A fine document of the fertile transition from swing to bebop. Stephen Cook
Tracklist :
1    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Melodrama In A V-Disc Record Room    3:30
2    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    I Can't Get Started    2:54
Vernon Duke / Ira Gershwin
3    Kay Starr With Orchestra–    He's Funny That Way 2:43
Vocals – Kay Starr
Neil Moret / Richard A. Whiting
4    Benny Carter Quintet–    Moonglow    2:51
Eddie DeLange / Will Hudson / Irving Mills
5    Benny Carter Quintet–    Give Me Something To Remember You By    2:48
 Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
6    Benny Carter Quintet–    Lady Be Good    2:38
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7    Benny Carter Quintet–    Deep Purple    3:11
Peter DeRose / Mitchell Parish
8    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Back Bay Boogie    5:17
 Benny Carter
9    Benny Carter And Orchestra–    Prelude To A Kiss    3:05
Duke Ellington / Irving Gordon / Irving Mills
10    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Re-Bop Boogie    3:00
Benny Carter
11    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Twelve O'Clock Jump    2:54
Benny Carter
12    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Your Conscience Tells You So 2:37
Vocals – Lu Elliott
Benny Carter / Don Raye
13    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Mexican Hat Dance    2:53
Traditional
14    Benny Carter And His Chocolate Dandies–    Sweet Georgia Brown    2:36
Ben Bernie / Kenneth Casey / Maceo Pinkard
15    Benny Carter And His Chocolate Dandies–    Out Of My Way 3:01
Vocals – Sid Catlett
Big Sid Catlett / Tiny Grimes
16    Benny Carter And His Chocolate Dandies–    What'll Be    3:16
Ben Webster
17    Benny Carter And His Chocolate Dandies–    Cadillac Slim    3:03
Ben Webster
18    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Baby You're Mine For Keeps 2:40
Vocals – Emma Lou Welch
19    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    You'll Never Break My Heart Again 2:53
Vocals – Emma Lou Welch, The Enchanters
20    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Chilpanicingo 2:54
Vocals – Bob Decker, The Enchanters
21    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    An Old Love Story 2:59
Vocals – Emma Lou Welch, The Enchanters
22    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Reina (My Lovely Queen) 2:58
Vocals – Bob Decker, The Enchanters
23    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Let Us Drink A Toast Together 2:42
Vocals – The Enchanters
24    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    June Comes Around Every Year 3:07
Vocals – Larry Stewart
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
25    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Forever Blue    3:08
Benny Carter
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Jewell Grant (tracks: 24), Joe Epps (tracks: 25), Porter Kilbert (tracks: 24, 25)
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Willard Brown (tracks: 1, 2, 8 to 13, 25)
Baritone Saxophone – John Taylor (tracks: 24)
Bass – Charles Drayton (tracks: 24), Dallas Bartley (tracks: 18 to 23), John Simmons (tracks: 14 to 17), Tommy Moultrie (tracks: 1 to 3, 8 to 13, 25), Unknown Artist (tracks: 4 to 7)
Drums – Henry Tucker (tracks: 18 to 23), Max Roach (tracks: 24), Percy Brice (tracks: 1 to 3, 8 to 13, 25), Sid Catlett (tracks: 14 to 17), Unknown Artist (tracks: 4 to 7)
Guitar – Herman Mitchell (tracks: 24), Jack Marshall (tracks: 18 to 23), James Cannady (tracks: 1 to 3, 8 to 13, 25), Unknown Artist (tracks: 4 to 7)
Piano – Cyril Haynes (tracks: 18 to 23), Rufus Webster (tracks: 24, 25), Sonny White (tracks: 1 to 17)
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster (tracks: 14 to 17), Bumps Myers (tracks: 1 to 3, 8 to 13, 18 to 25), Harold Clark (tracks: 24, 25)
Trombone – Al Grey (tracks: 1, 2, 8 to 17, 25), Alton Moore (tracks: 24, 25), Charles Johnson (tracks: 25), Clarence "Candy" Ross (tracks: 1, 2, 8 to 13), George Washington (tracks: 24), Henry Coker (tracks: 18 to 24), John Morris (tracks: 25), Louis Taylor (tracks: 24)
Trumpet – Buck Clayton (tracks: 14 to 17), Calvin Strickland (tracks: 1, 2), Emmett Berry (tracks: 24), Fred Trainer (tracks: 1, 2, 24), Gerald Wilson (tracks: 24), Leonard "Idris Sulieman" Graham (tracks: 25), Ira Pettiford (tracks: 1, 2, 8 to 13), Irving Lewis (tracks: 24), Lewis Botton (tracks: 25), Lew Obergh (tracks: 18 to 23), Louis Gray (tracks: 25), Miles Davis (tracks: 1, 2), Paul Cohen (tracks: 1, 2, 8 to 13, 24), Wallace Jones (tracks: 25), Walter Williams (tracks: 1, 2, 8 to 13)
Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Directed By – Benny Carter

COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1947-1949 The Classics Chronological Series – 1107 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Classics #1107 focuses on the final three years in the initial career of Count Basie's big band, 1947-1949. While the classic Lester Young era had already been shaped ten years earlier, this version of the Basie band still featured a bevy of talent including Sweets Edison, Clark Terry, Emmett Berry, Melba Liston, Paul Gonsalves, and Dickie Wells. The majority of vocals are handled by Jimmy Rushing, including the last he would record with Basie, "Walkin Slow Behind You." Jeanne Taylor, Bobby Troup, Taps Miller, and Billy Valentine also make brief vocal appearances. These initial 1947 cuts were recorded right before the second record ban in December of that year. Basie's orchestra would not record again until 1949 when the big-band era was coming to a close and the record ban ended. In 1950, Basie had to restructure the orchestra into a small combo until he could financially reform the big band a few years later. Al Campbell