This is a great time to be a jazz fan looking for new “old” sounds that got missed the first time around. Here are a couple tidbits to treasure…
Pianist Paul Smith is best remembered for being Ella Fitzgerald’s accompanist from the 50s-70s, appearing on many classic albums. This two disc collection has him in a rare small band collection of settings, from 1954-58, in Hollywood, California teamed with fellow studio studs like Abe Most/cl, Tony Rizzi/g, Julius Kinsler/fl-as, Willie Schwartz/cl, Bob Cooper/ts, Irv Cottier/dr, Stan Levey/dr and Ronny Lang/as to name a few. The songs have that classic “California Cool” sound that made West Coast Jazz so famous.
Arranged in the vein of Shorty Rogers, tunes like “The Lady Is A Tramp or “That Old Black Magic” have warm flutes and gliding grooves, while originals such as “Cookie Time” and “The Grump” are wonderful and whimsical avenues for Lang’s pretty alto. Cooper is in rich form for “Love Walked In” and he glistens with Kinsler on “Love Walked In” and “All Of You.” Smith saunters seductively on “All Of You” and glows on Alone Together”. The accompanying booklet includes original liner notes and some great background info. California dreamin’.
There have been few jazz pianists that sound influenced by Duke Ellington, but, judging by this reissue of two 50s albums, Cass Harrison is one of them. One session has him in a trio setting with Mort Herbert/b and Cozy Cole/dr I NYC, and the other on is a mix of sessions with Milt Hinton/b and either Cole or Jo Jones/dr. Both albums are filled with Ellingtonia, but that doesn’t necessarily give away his allegiances until he starts playing. Then, you hear that mellow mix of stride and classy swing on obscure Ducal pieces like “Yearning for Love”, “I’m Riding On The Moon and Dancing On The Stars” and “Sump’n ‘Bout Rhythm”. Let’s be honest: how many of you fans really knew those songs even existed?
There’s a rich and soft touch to “ Mood indigo”, with a dash of Henderson swing takes place on “Rug Cutter’s Swing”, ‘Big John’s Special” and “Down South Camp Meetin’” on a salute to the halcyon days of the Swing Era. This guy is going to charm your socks off. Who knows why he eventually moved to Puerto Rico, but the jazz world sure missed him.