EAST COAST JAZZ SCENE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 35, Issue 898, 19 October 1956, Page 15

EAST COAST JAZZ SCENE

RECORDED from a concert given in the Pythian Temple on November 7, 1955¢ First Playing: Station 2YD, November 1, 9.0 p.m. A¥ "JAZZBO" COLLINS, prominent New York Disc jockey, arranged this concert, and as his taste in jazz is for that which is free, easy and relaxed, that is what he presented. East Coast jazz has always been conscious of its swinging beat, and though it has progressed in recent years, just as jazz has everywhere, this beat has lent a spark of spontaneity to its work. This is well brought out during the concert, which I would be pleased to have attended, After an introduction by Collins, the Larry Sonn Band takes the stand to play two swinging ripp compositions by Manny Albam, titled "Zanzy" and "Ida Bridges Falling Down." Sonn is an emphatic Count Basie fan, and accordingly his group, a fresh sounding and swinging one, reflects the influence. There is unusual orchestral voicing in these items which spotlight Jimmy. Nottingham (trumpet) and Bobby Ascher (trombone). : The next three items, "Flying Down to Rio," "The Things We Did Last Summer" and "Darn That Dream," are played by the Gene Quill Quintet, featuring Quill (alto), Sherman (trumpet), Gubin (drums), Thornton (piano), and Jones (bass). Gene’s style is amazingly fleet; he’s a musician with a superabundance of ideas. The same holds true ‘for Sherman, who, like Quill, is an old Claude Thornhill sideman, and who displays amazing control of his instrument. The rest of the programme features three soloists backed by Hank Jones (piano), Wendell Marshall (bass) and Shadow Wilson (drums). The first artist is Don Elliot, who forgets about his ability as a player of mellophone, trumpet, piano and guitar and as a vocalist and concentrates on his vibraphone, (Hence Collins’s remark about Don "The Octopus" Elliot.) Don gives us his impressions of four famous vibraphonists, namely, Red Norvo, Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton and Terry Gibbs, and they are brilliantly but humorously performed. What a wonderful asset is Elliot to any jazz programme! Then comes the great Coleman Hawkins. First of all he takes us into one of his quieter moments, demonstrating how he would amuse himself in a reminiscing mood. There is a wonderful warm sound about his tenor, and when he broke into an up tempo arrangement of "The Man I Love," ‘backed by the rhythm section, I was carried away. I could listen to -music such as this all night, Tony Fruscilla, a new trumpet star, closed the programme with his arrangement of a "Blues." Introductions are left to Collins throughout the show, and his witty comments break the ice right from the start. Coupled with the Randy Weston Trio which follows at 9.43 p.m., and which

I review below, here is one hour of jazz which should not be missed. |