One of the true masters of jazz that never quite got his due (outside of his hometown of Los Angeles) has to be Buddy Collette (1921-2010). Jazz fans “in the know” knew about him from his classic work as a sideman with Charles Mingus and Chico Hamilton, but he also was the first black to break into the all white Hollywood studio scene of the 1950s, eschewing the fame of touring and living in New York to be in the band for the popular Groucho Marx “You Bet Your Life” TV show, among others.
This two disc set finds him on a rare European tour, recording in Milan, Italy, for a handful of typically classy sessions. He plays flute, clarinet and alto sax throughout, with Italian all stars that you may not be familiar with such as Gianni basso/ts-cl, Renato Sellani/p, Franco Cerri-irogio Azzolini/b as well as Americans Buster Smith-Gianni Cazzola/dr and George Joyner/b. He’s mostly heard on flute, and he sounds bluesy on the bopping “Slavic Mood” and “Kelly” while fluffy on “Hannah’s Dream” and giving a wonderful solo aria during “Lonely Flute”. His alto is warm for “Paddi” and digs into the Afro Cuban” Eh! Oh!” and gives rich hues for “Blues”. Is clarinet shines on “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise” and swings to “Skater For Mater”. This is one to search for, as these rare recordings deserve ears for appreciation.
The multipage book gives a great synopsis of the woodwind master, and the studio session info is invaluable for historians. Check it out!