Way Out Wardell

Way Out Wardell

by Wardell Gray
Way Out Wardell

Way Out Wardell

by Wardell Gray

CD

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Overview

This album was recorded live in Los Angeles in 1948, and finds the great Wardell Gray amidst some of the finest musicians of the time. In the late 1940s, the West Coast jazz scene introduced the big band jazz concert idea to the public. At this time in his short career, Gray was starting his ascent and would achieve lasting fame in tenor sax history. The recorded sound on the album is tinny, given that it was recorded in a hall, and the echo is distracting. However, the compact disc cleaned much of this up, and the dueling between the two tenors shines right through. Vido Musso, the other fine tenor here, was with Stan Kenton for a time. His punchy style plays off the smoother swing of Gray. There's also some strong, bright soloing by Howard McGhee, Ernie Royal, Barney Kessel, and Red Callender. The rhythm section swings hard throughout the session, and Gray knows how to ride the wave with a vengeance. He had that effortless tone of Lester Young, and was full with the fire of bop at the same time. His improvisation was prodigious, and he could translate a landslide of ideas through his horn. The genius Erroll Garner, then only 35, renders a fine solo version of "Tenderly." The compact disc version adds the bonus cut "Sweet Georgia Brown." This is what ignited jazz at the summit sounded like in concert in the late 1940s. Recommended. ~ Mark Romano

Product Details

Release Date: 06/03/2014
Label: Boplicity
UPC: 0029667059329
Rank: 123735

Tracks

  1. Blue Lou
  2. Sweet Georgia Brown
  3. Tenderly
  4. Just You, Just Me
  5. One O'Clock Jump

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Wardell Gray   Primary Artist,Sax (Tenor)
Howard McGhee   Trumpet
Red Callender   Bass
Arnold Ross   Piano
Harry Babasin   Bass
Irving Ashby   Guitar
Jackie Mills   Drums
Ernie Royal   Trumpet
Vic Dickenson   Trombone
Don Lamond   Drums
Erroll Garner   Piano
Vido Musso   Sax (Tenor)
Barney Kessel   Guitar

Technical Credits

Jesse Greer   Composer
Raymond Klages   Composer
Edwin Finckel   Composer
Kenneth Casey   Composer
Walter Gross   Composer
Ben Bernie   Composer
William Claxton   Photography
Irving Mills   Composer
Jack Lawrence   Composer
Count Basie   Composer
Edgar Sampson   Composer
Maceo Pinkard   Composer
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