Hampton HAWES & Paul CHAMBERS - The East-West Controversy 1951-57

Hampton HAWES & Paul CHAMBERS - The East-West Controversy 1951-57
1975 Issue

Jazz

There is nothing too controversial about the pair of sets that comprise this Xanadu LP, which finds musicians identified with East Coast and West Coast styles playing with each other. Pianist Hampton Hawes (making his recording debut as a leader) performs six blues and bop standards in 1951 and is in already fairly mature form. The second half of the album (released for the first time on this 1975 LP) has bassist Paul Chambers directing a quintet arranged by John Graas and featuring the tenors of Bill Perkins and Jack Montrose, pianist Paul Moer and either Mel Lewis or Philly Joe Jones on drums. The cool-toned bop music is quite enjoyable and it seems odd that it took 18 years for it to be released.
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
**
A divine head start if there ever was one, Hampton Hawes was born with six fingers on each hand. The extra digits were removed shortly after birth, but the ten remaining members paid tribute to their two lost brethren by taking up the piano as a youngster. A student of boogie-woogie, stride and swing until childhood buddy Eric Dolphy introduced him to the work of Bird and Diz, Hawes reduced his wide range of jazz influences to an intense, historically steeped, swinging bop voice. Land and Hawes trade off the melody here, and their respective solos are both inspired and impressive. Note the dominance of Hawes's right hand to create an improvisatory statement that's often more reminiscent of a horn player than a pianist. LaFaro's walking and solo are expectedly perfect.
**
Hampton Hawes- (Piano),
Harper Cosby- (Bass),
Lawrence Marable- (Drums),
Paul Chambers- (Bass),
Philly Joe Jones- (Drums),
Mel Lewis- (Drums),
Jack Montrose- (Tenor Sax),
Bill Perkins- (Tenor Sax),
Paul Moer- (Piano).
**
01. Buzzy
02. What Is This Thing Called Love (These Foolish Things)
03. Bud's Blues (Hamp's Claws)
04. Another Hair Do
05. All The Things You Are
06. Blue Bird (Hamp's Paws)
07. Montrose
08. The Mouse Hop
09. Jazz City
10. Sweet Saxophones
11. Early Morning Smog
12. Two Visitors
13. Cute
**

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Hampton HAWES & Charlie HADEN - As Long As There's Music 1976

Hampton HAWES & Charlie HADEN - As Long As There's Music 1976
RLP 9337

Jazz

Although one would not immediately associate bassist Charlie Haden with pianist Hampton Hawes, they had performed together on an occasional basis since first meeting in 1957. This Artists House LP, a set of five duets, was their last opportunity to play together because Hawes would pass away the following year. The music includes a fairly free improvisation on "Hello/ Goodbye," the duo's intepretation of the title cut, a collaboration on "This Is Called Love" and two originals from the pianist. This quiet and often lyrical set contains a great deal of thoughtful and subtle music by two masters.
By Scott Yanow. AMG.
**
This was Hampton Hawes’ last recording as a leader, and perhaps his most beautiful. The master take of the title tune by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn (there’s also an alternate take on the CD, which is now out of print), is an object lesson in the art of the duo. The way Haden and Hawes breathe together is incredible and subtle, allowing them to stretch the time and bring out the tune’s (and their own) expressive qualities. Their history of playing together and shared musical wisdom is very much evidenced throughout this track and record.
**
Hampton Hawes- Piano;
Charlie Haden- Bass
**
A1. Irene 7:56 
A2. Rain Forest 5:34 
A3. Hello/Goodbye 8:00 
B1. As Long As There`s Music 8:11 
B2. This Is Called Love 9:10 
**

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Hampton HAWES Trio - Live in Montreux 1971

Hampton HAWES Trio - Live in Montreux 1971
Montreux Jazz Festival, Casino De Montreux, Switzerland, June, 1971

Jazz

Hampton Hawes was one of the finest jazz pianists of the 1950s, a fixture on the Los Angeles scene who brought his own interpretations to the dominant Bud Powell style. In the mid- to late '40s, he played with Sonny Criss, Dexter Gordon, and Wardell Gray, among others on Central Avenue. He was with Howard McGhee's band (1950-1951), played with Shorty Rogers and the Lighthouse All-Stars, served in the Army (1952-1954), and then led trios in the L.A. area, recording many albums for Contemporary. Arrested for heroin possession in 1958, Hawes spent five years in prison until he was pardoned by President Kennedy. He led trios for the remainder of his life, using electric piano (which disturbed his longtime fans) for a period in the early to mid-'70s, but returned to acoustic piano before dying from a stroke in 1977. Hampton Hawes' memoirs, -Raise Up Off Me (1974), are both frank and memorable, and most of his records (for Xanadu, Prestige, Savoy, Contemporary, Black Lion, and Freedom) are currently available.

This album consists of a continuous set performed by pianist Hampton Hawes's Trio with bassist Henry Franklin and drummer Mike Carvin. Two songs (Bert Bacharach's "This Guy's in Love with You" and Hawes' "High in the Sky") are fully explored and, despite the extreme length and some wandering sections, the performance holds one's interest throughout.
By Scott Yanow. AMG.
**
Hampton Hawes- (Piano)
Henry Franklin- (Bass)
Michael Carvin- (Drums)
**
01. This Guy's In Love With You 20:13
02. High In The Sky 20:19
**

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Hampton HAWES - Spanish Steps 1968

Hampton HAWES - Spanish Steps 1968
JAZ-5022

Jazz

Don't know a whole bunch about this album other than that it was recorded for Black Lion records in 1968 while the trio was in Paris on a world tour and that it has never been re-released on CD (although there is a questionable MP3 version available on Amazon, but I am not sure of it's quality or track accuracy...).  The mostly original music is great and shows Hawes touching on both his bebop roots and looking forward a bit (showing the influence of some of the jazz pianists of the era).
**
Hampton Hawes- Piano
Jimmy Woode- Bass
Art Taylor- Drums
**
A1. Blues Enough 5:27
A2. Sonora 4:53
A3. Black Forest 6:04
B1. Dangerous 4:25
B2. Spanish Steps 3:14
B3. My Romance 8:57
**

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