Because he spent most of his career as an ex-patriot living in Europe, tenor saxist Don Byas (1913-72) is overlooked in terms of the important jazz musicians. But during his career, he was considered an important link between swing and bebop. He was best known for his work with Count Basie, with a style similar to Coleman Hawkins, but his harmonic style was a bit more adventurous, adhering him to the more advanced sounds akin to Thelonious Monk, Charlie Christian and Kenny Clarke. This limited edition ten disc set is a bit unique in that it covers a short (but significant) time period of Byas’ life, just before emigrating to France.
He sure made us of his last couple years in the States, playing, associating and recording with just about everyone for one last goodbye. He’s caught in a traditional band with Hot Lips Page and Sid Catlett on a swinging “Paging Mr. Page”, while jams with Charlie Shavers and Slam Stewart at the Savoy for some exciting soloing. Some intimate home recordings at Timme Rosenkrantz’s apartment have him teamed with pianist Jimmy Jones o a casual and calm “My Ideal and “Sweet Lorraine” that will knock your socks off. Similarly Slam Stewart joins in for a gorgeous “It Could Happen To You”. A collection of these home-grown recordings that also include vocals and guests on percussion make for gorgeous improvs on “ Just You, Just Me” and “Moonglow”.
Some modern small group swing with all stars Earl Bostic, Frankie Newton, Cozy Cole and Red Norvo among others goes down easy on “Twilight In Teheran” and’ Swing Street
Byas meets up with proto-boppers Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker for some improvised blues and “What’s The Matter Now”, with some vocals by Trummy Young. Just as forward thinking is a set with Oscar Pettiford with Gillespie, Serge Chaloff, Shelly Manne and Benny Harris on “Something For You”. Byas fits in well with on some hopping takes of “Good Bait” and “Be-Bop” as well.
As far as the blues, Byas goes to NYC to play like Kansas City with Joe Turner, Pete Johnson and Frankie Newton for some dry rubbed BBQ o SK Blues” and “Watch That Jive”.
With classically trained pianist Johnny Guarnari, Byas sounds positively modern on “Sophisticated Lady” , “Stardust” and “Deep Purple”, while with Errol Garner is swinging hard on “One O’Clock Jump” and “Slam-In’ Around” with Slam Stewart.
As a member of Benny Carter’s orchestra (with whom he tagged on with to get to Europe), Byas is in a sax section with Dexter Gordon and a horn section including Shorty Rogers, Neal Hefti and Joe Newman on tasty treats like “Some of These Days” and “Rose Room”. In the lineup of Don Redman’s orchestra Byas works wonders on “Dark Glasses” and “Micky Finn Pick-Up”. There are also a number of quartets led by Byas, including warm takes of “Danny Boy”, “I Don’t Know Why” , “September Song” and a hopping “Cherokee”. A take of “Gloomy Sunday”, recorded just before embarking to Europe, makes one wonder what worlds Byas would have conquered had he stayed in America. We lost a lot when he left, and this collection with a wonderful booklet with notes and song by song analysis by Loren Schoenberg, at least gives us a hint of what we’ve been missing all these years.
As always, the production by Scott Wenzel and copious notes by Loren Schoenberg, along with a surfeit of vintage photos, make this limited set an essential addition to your collection.