Ranked up there with Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Charlie Christian and Grant Green, guitarist Herb Ellis is one of the most important and swinging guitarists of the bebop to bop era. He’s best known for his long run with Oscar Peterson’s trio, but he’s the guitarist on a gazillion albums for artists in the 50s-60s as sideman for everyone from Ella to Stan Getz. This four disc collection puts together his 8 earliest albums, and they are a joy to the ears.
Things start off in 1956 with his teammates Peterson/p, Ray Brown/b and Album Stoller/dr joined by Harry “Sweets” Edison/tp, Charlie Mariano/as, and Jimmy Giuffre/ts-cl on delightful takes of “It Could Happen To You” and Ellis’ own “Sweetheart Blues”. Next year, a small unite with Roy Eldridge/tp and Stan Getz/ts get into the blues for a fun “Big Red’s Boogie Woogie” and “Blues For Janet”. Ellis reunites with Giuffre and other West coasters like Art Pepper for a sublime album that includes “When Your Lover Has Gone” with a 1961 meeting with LA session kings such as Leroy Vinnegar/b, Ronnie Zito/dr and Victor Feldman/p-vib, give a hoot of a read on “John Brown’s Body”. Ellis then mixes and matches with guitarists Lurino Almeida and Johnny Gray for a collection of bossa nova tunes and renditions like “But Beautiful”. With violinist Stuff Smith, Ellis swings on “Get Acquainted Blues” and “Blues For Janet”. A classy meeting with Andre Previn/p, Shelly Manne/dr and Ray Brown deliver a deep “No Moon At All” and fragrant “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning” and in 1965 Ellis teams up with guitarist Charlie Byrd for a swinging “Oh, Lady Be Good” and “Bluesette”. Tasty strings.