One of the things I love about jazz is that there’s always some artist that you’ve heard as a sideman, but never realized how great he was until someone draws your attention to him. Here’s a classic case: trumpeter Glenn Zottola is the perfect guy for the song “I Wanna Be A Sideman,” as he’s played with EVERYONE from Benny Goodman to Dave Liebman to Milto Hinton and Zoot Sims. These two releases will make you appreciate this overlooked guy.
The first one is a tribute to the iconic Clifford Brown with Strings album from 1955. The original arrangements by Neal Hefti are still intact, and Zottola handles pieces like “Blue Moon” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” with grace and style. He doesn’t have the restrained bravura as Brown, but makes up for it in a gentle lyricism. Delightful.
The two disc Glenn Zottola’s Story spotlights the diversity of this trumpeter. One minute he’s blasting away on a swinging “Life Goes to a Party” with Benny Goodman’s Orchestra, and then he slips into a hip little bebopper on “Dewey Square” with Roy McCurdy without missing a beat. Trad pieces such as “China Boy” have him with Bob Wilbur while Maxine Sullivan is featured on “Killing Time.” He backed Peggy Lee on “I Got To Wear You Off of My Mind” and he holds his own with Zoot Sims, Milt Hinton and Gus Johnson on “Zoot and Glenn Blues.” You’re gonna love this guy; he’s got the heart of a lion!
Classic Jazz Records
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