Mel Lewis MEL LEWIS SEPTET & SEXTET (2 LP ON 1 CD)

Description: Mel Lewis MEL LEWIS SEPTET & SEXTET (2 LP ON 1 CD) Personnel: Mel Lewis (d), Ed Leddy, Jack Sheldon (tp), Charlie Mariano (as), Richie Kamuca, Jerry Coker, Bill Holman (ts), Pepper Adams (bs), Johnny Marabuto, Marty Paich (p), Dean Reilly, Buddy Clark (b), Lennie Niehaus, Bill Perkins (arr) Reference: FSRCD 895 Buffalo-born Mel “The Tailor” Lewis (1929-1990), one of the finest and most consistently exciting jazz drummers, first came to prominence during his 1954-56 tenure with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Lewis’s consummate taste, precision and unobtrusive warmth are clear from his first albums as leader, made on the West Coast in 1956 and 1957. On “Got ‘Cha”, he fronts a septet which featured quality soloists in saxophonists Richie Kamuca, Jerry Coker and Pepper Adams—Mel’s buddy from the Kenton band—and used talented arrangers in Lennie Niehaus, Bill Perkins and, drawn from the septet, Coker, Adams and the group’s very capable pianist, Johnny Marabuto. The results are the epitome of relaxed swing and drive, and benefit from the firm hand of Kenton’s lead trumpet Ed Leddy, who solos with control and taste. The second, “Sextet”, also features outstanding individualists in trumpeter Jack Sheldon, altoist Charlie Mariano and tenorist Bill Holman, with pianist Marty Paich and bassist Buddy Clark completing a sparkling rhythm section. With such a powerful lineup of solo talent, the music is timeless, fresh and stimulating. Voted New Star in the 1962 Down Beat International Critics Poll, he was also perfectly summed up by fellow drummer, Shelly Manne; “Mel’s main purpose is to move the group, he’s a real group player.” Mel Lewis is now best remembered for his big band work, particularly the famed Thad Jones-Mel Lewis orchestra, but as these small group sessions show, he was a master regardless of context. Tracklisting: 01. In a Mellotone (Duke Ellington) 8:06 02. Leave Your Worries Behind (Lennie Niehaus) 4:14 03. A Winter’s Tale (Pepper Adams) 8:33 04. Sir Richard Face (Bill Perkins) 4:57 05. One for Pat (Lennie Niehaus) 3:52 06. ‘Enry ‘Iggins ‘Ead (Jerry Coker) 8:18 07. El Cerrito (Johnny Marauto) 6:05 08. Brookside (Bob Brookmeyer) 4:16 09. You Took Advantage of Me (Rodgers-Hart) 5:09 10. Zig-Zag (Bob Brookmeyer) 4:56 11. Jazz Goes to Siwash (Bill Holman) 4:08 12. Charlie’s Cavern (Jack Sheldon) 5:14 13. Grey Flannel (Marty Paich) 6:23 Sources: Tracks #1-7, from the album “Got ‘Cha” (San Francisco, Jazz Records JR-2) Tracks #8-13, from the album “Mel Lewis Sextet” (Mode LP 103) Personnel on MEL LEWIS Septet (Got ‘Cha): Ed Leddy, trumpet; Richie Kamuca, Jerry Coker, tenor saxes; Pepper Adams, baritone sax; Johnny Marabuto, piano; Dean Reilly, bass Mel Lewis, drums. Arrangements: Lennie Niehaus (#2,5), Bill Perkins (#1,4), Jerry Coker (#6) Pepper Adams (#3), Johnny Marabuto (#7) Recorded at Sands Ballroom, Oakland, CA, November 19 (#1,2,5) and 20 (#3,4,6,7), 1956 Personnel on MEL LEWIS Sextet Jack Sheldon, trumpet; Charlie Mariano, alto sax; Bill Holman, tenor sax; Marty Paich, piano; Buddy Clark, bass; Mel Lewis, drums. Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, June 5 and 6, 1957 Original recordings produced by Pat Henry and Alan Levitt (#1-7), and Red Clyde (#8-13) Original Got 'Cha cover design: Design: Gary Labby Mel Lewsi portrait: Eva Diana Liner notes: Pat Henry (Jazz Records), Joe Quinn (Mode) Photos © Fresh Sound Archives Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol Hi-Fi / Mono · 24 Bit Digitally Remastered

Price: 19.98 USD

Location: Lake Hughes, California

End Time: 2025-01-11T07:57:09.000Z

Shipping Cost: 3.99 USD