Friday, November 13, 2009

Bill PERKINS - The Bill Perkins Octet On Stage 1956


Bill PERKINS - The Bill Perkins Octet On Stage 1956

Jazz

In 1998, Capitol (which owns Blue Note) reissued six Pacific Jazz CDs filled with music from the mid-1950s, the prime period of cool West Coast jazz. For this set, tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins is showcased in an all-star octet also including altoist Bud Shank, baritonist Jack Nimitz, trumpeter Stu Williamson, trombonist Carl Fontana, pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Mel Lewis. Perk's tone is heard throughout at its coolest (influenced by Lester Young but distinctive within the style) and there are plenty of short spots for the other key voices. The program includes five swing-era songs including "Song of the Islands," "When You're Smiling" and two versions of Harry "Sweets" Edison's "Let Me See" plus three newer pieces, but no bop standards. At least as important as the solos are the arrangements of Perkins, Bill Holman, Lennie Niehaus and Johnny Mandel. Their use of restrained colors, the quiet rhythm section and advanced harmonies on a whole give one a definitive look at West Coast Jazz of the mid-1950s. Recommended.
By Scott Yanow. AMG. 
**
Carl Fontana- Trombone 
Russ Freeman- Piano 
Mel Lewis- Drums   
Red Mitchell- Bass  
Jack Nimitz- Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Baritone) 
Bill Perkins Arranger, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor)  
Bud Shank- Sax (Alto) 
Stu Williamson- Trumpet, Trombone (Valve) 
**
01. Song Of The Islands (5:25)
02. One Hundred Years From Today (4:52)
03. Zing! Zang! (6:55)
04. Let Me See (3:37)
05. For Dancers Only (5:56)
06. Just A Child (5:00)
07. As They Reveled (3:53)
08. When You're Smiling (5:09)
09. Let Me See (Alt Take) (2:37)
**
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