Jimmy Rowles Trio '77/'78:

Jimmy Rowles spent much of a busy career as a sideman in great demand. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to work with Jimmy. But he also recorded as a leader quite frequently. Trouble was that many of his sessions were on obscure, hard to find labels. Likely released in 2009 or 2010 on the Jazz Ball label, I stumbled upon it recently. It features Jimmy in two settings plus a couple of bonus tracks. Some of the material has never been issued on compact disc, making this a real treat. Jimmy was, of course, a master of subtlety and the best ever at making dissonant chords sound absolutely great and oh-so-right. With Rufus Reid, bass, and Mickey Roker, drums, he plays four tunes from Miles' "Birth Of The Cool": Namely, "Jeru", "Venus De Milo", "Godchild", and "Darn That Dream". On the other session he's joined by George Mraz and Leroy Williams on "Here's That Rainy Day", "I Can't Get Started", "In The Still Of The Night", and the surprise of the set, "Stars And Stripes Forever", of all things. These and more find Jimmy in primo piano posture. It'll be a tough one to find. But Jimmy Rowles always made it worth the search.

Jazz Ball; probably 2009 or 2010; 66:25.

Jerry Weldon "Those Were The Days"

I wouldn't bet the condo on it, but I have a feeling that Jerry Weldon had a semi-soul/R&B notion in mind in the planning of this CD. You want my evidence? Well, first there's the inclusion of a Hammond B3 organ on this session. And secondly, Weldon has decided on some pop material of the last few decades; they are songs which practically call for a B3 approach, like "Strangers In The Night", "Walk On By", "The Sermon" (a Jimmy Smith tune), and "Those Were The Days". Rounding out the menu are a couple of distinctively non-soulful things including the ancient "Rosetta" and my personal fave, "This Is Always". My first awareness of Jerry Weldon was through his association with The New York Bop Quintet, a steaming, bristling emsemble where Weldon was featured in a setting quite different from this one. It should be said, however, that he's one of those guys deserving of more recognition. Perhaps this CD will bring it his way.

Cellar Live; 2018; appx. 56 min.

Ain't It Grand? The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra

I think that lots of folks wanted to get into the act in the 1920's and 1930's. After all, one big hit could put a guy on easy street! So these ditties, novelty tunes with corny lyrics, appeared by the hundreds. And some were well written and destined for a long life. Others were period pieces, but usually full of fun and frolic. Many of them featured better than average singers on board. This two-CD set features a total of thirty selections, most of which are from the obscure arena. Arrangements are all together appropriate but never "campy" or over indulged. Some of the more colorful titles include "Just Like A Broken Record", "When I Get Low I Get High", "The Little Orange Man", "Shorty's Got To Go" and many more. These are authentic treatments of foot tappin' tunes. Nostalgic? No question. Fun? By the truck load.

Self-produced; 2018; 2 CDs; times not indicated.