Paul Combs Unknown Dameron

Paul Combs
Unknown Dameron
Summit Records

Paul Combs, author of "Dameronia: The Life and Music of Tadd Dameron," is the leader of this celebration of lesser-known and previously unrecorded works by Tadd Dameron. Dameron's music has long inspired Combs. "I loved his melodies, as well as his notion that our purpose as musicians should be to create something of beauty as a balm for the ugliness in the world - or as Art Blakey, Tadd's colleague, and friend but it 'to wash the dirt of the day off of people.'" He plays all the saxophones and provided all of the arrangements on this project. Among those joining him are Alex Aspinall, Charles Ruggiero or Richard Sellers, drums; Ken Cook, Bill Cunliffe, piano, Melonie Grinnell, or Kamau Kenyatta, piano; Jeff Denson, Alex Frank, or Rob Thorsen, bass; Derek Cannon, trumpet; and Danielle Wertz, voice. Unfortunately, my download did not include the personnel on specific tracks.

About the music, Combs states, "While Dameron is fairly well-known for the eight compositions that have become part of the jazz canon, there are many more of his works that deserve our attention. Of the twelve selections recorded here seven were never recorded, and two only recorded once. The three songs with words have only been available on rather rare recordings, although there seems to be a renewed interest in them." This recording is likely to instill interest in all these songs.

While some of the melody lines and harmonies might hint at such classics as "Hot House," "Our Delight," "Lady Bird," and the ballad "If You Could See Me Know," these compositions stand on their own starting with "Conversation," which was initially written for Harlan Leonard's Kansas City Rockets but not recorded. Besides that he handsome arrangement, Combs delivers a rousing baritone sax solo which is followed by some excellent trumpet by Derek Cannon set against a relaxed tempo. "Take a Chance on Spring" has been recorded previously and showcases Wertz's delightful singing and scatting. This selection also has a terrific piano solo and some trading fours between Wertz and Combs.

There is a charming "Don't Forget It," written during Dameron's time with Jimmy Lunceford, with Cannon taking the lead on this. Bill Lee previously recorded the ballad "Never Been In Love," with lyrics by Bernie Hanighen on an obscure Strata-East LP. Wertz's singing here is exquisite with the understated piano trio accompaniment. Combs advises that "Sando Latino" was written for a lost recording by Milt Jackson. Whatever the case, the Latin tinge enhances a typical lovely Dameron melodic line with Cannon and Combs (on tenor sax) each negotiating the tunes harmonic scheme.

Combs burly baritone sax shares the spotlight with Cannon on "A La Bridges," which was written for and recorded by Harlan Leonard's Kansas City Rockets. Bridges was Harry Bridges, the Rockets tenor saxophonist who shares composer credits. "Weekend" combines lyrics about a ski weekend with a bossa nova groove which is beautifully sung by Wertz with Combs displaying a gruff, but lyrical talent one on the baritone. Combs' tenor ballad playing is at the forefront of the enchanting "Come Close."

"Unknown Dameron" is a revelation for those only familiar with Tadd Dameron's most famous recordings. A labor of love for Combs, the music here is rich in warmth and melodic qualities. With the first-rate ensembles and superb soloists, it hopefully will be an inspiration for future interpretations of these compositions from Dameron's oeuvre.

I received a download to review from a publicist. This review appeared in the September-October 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 386). Here is a promo video for this CD.