WARDELL GRAY - LIVE IN HOLLYWOOD

WARDELL GRAY
LIVE IN HOLLYWOOD
XANADU 146

This album is from the tape collection of Bob Andrews who was to West Coast jazz of the fifties what Jerry Newman was for the jam sessions at Minton's. Wardell Gray was in his brief life a master of the tenor who was on Charlie Parker's "Relaxin' at Camarillo" date for Dial, and was in bands with Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Billie Eckstine. Let's not forget the various dueling tenor sax albums with Dexter. Precious few recordings were made under his name and this 1952 location re- cording is a most worthy addition to the Gray and bop discography.

Gray was joined on this date by Art Farmer playing some hot trumpet, Hampton Hawes playing with a judicious use of space and angularity which is sort of a more fluid Monk. Joe Mondragon and Shelly Manne complete this group which includes a hot version of Dameron's "The Squirrel", which is classic bebop. Dig the interchange between Gray and Farmer at the tune's close with Manne kicking things along and Hampton laying down a solid groove. The whole album is like that and there is over fifty minutes of music here.

Highly recommended.

I likely received a review copy from the Buffalo Jazz Report where this review ran in June 1978 (Issue 52). Here is one of Wardell Gray's most famous compositions, "Twisted."

Hank Jones Live at Jazzhus Slukefter 1983

Hank Jones
Live at Jazzhus Slukefter 1983
Storyville Records

Recorded at a Copenhagen jazz club, this location recording has the great pianist Hank Jones leadings trip with bassist Mads Vinding and drummer Shelley Manne on a selection of standards and bebop classics. Ably supported by Vinding and Manne, Jones was in full mastery of his skills and interpretative powers this night. He dazzles on Charlie Parker's "Scrapple From the Apple" and "Au Private," as well as on Bud Powell's "Budo." At the same time, his lyricism is to the fore on standards such as "Just Friends," "It Could Happen To You," and "What's New." 

"Live at Jazzhus Slukefter 1983" is a wonderful addition to Hank Jones' recorded legacy.

I purchased this recording as a download from Bandcamp.com. It is also available as a CD from there and other sources. Here is a video, with a different trio from the CD, of Hank Jones performing Charlie Parker's "Au Private."