Herbie Harper - Jazz In Hollywood Series

Herbie Harper played for Charlie Barnet, Gene Krupa, and Benny Goodman in the last years of the Swing Era and established himself as a superior trombonist. In 1947, with bands dwindling, he found employement in the film, broadcasting, and recording studios of Holywood. Harper continued his involvement with jazz not only as a player but as an organizer and inspirational force. By 1953, when Los Angeles was becoming the  focal point of so-called West Coast Jazz, Harper was in the thick of it. His recordings for the small Nocturne label featured some of the bright stars of the period. They included the remarkable baritone saxophonist Bob Gordon, pianist Jimmy Rowles, and Bud Shank, heard here on tenor and baritone saxes rather than his customary alto and flute. Harper's horn, by turns quicksilver and blowsy, sets the pace.

Herbie Harper

Nocturne Records • Jazz In Hollywood Series

Although somewhat forgotten today, Herbie Harper was one of jazz's top trombonists of the 1950s. Even with the time he spent doing studio work, Harper was closely involved in the West Coast jazz movement in Los Angeles. This CD has Harper's two Nocturne dates, including the earliest session cut by the label. Harper is heard on a delightfully swinging set with baritonist Bob Gordon, pianist Jimmy Rowles, bassist Harry Babasin and drummer Roy Harte, and on two other sessions with Babasin, Harte and sometimes Bud Shank (on tenor and baritone rather than alto and flute), guitarist Al Hendrickson and/or pianist Marty Paich. The music includes cool renditions of swing-era songs, a few newer originals, and some offbeat material. Recommended. *Scott Yanow*

A great little package that features two rare 10" albums by trombonist Herbie Harper -- both issued by the short-lived Nocturne label in the 50s! Harper's sound here is totally great -- a tightly-crafted approach to his instrument that rivals that of some of his more famous contemporaries on the LA scene, but which is also served up with a bit of grit in the solos -- a slightly earthy feel at times that's a nice contrast to some of the more modern tendencies of the records. The first half of the CD features Harper in a quintet with Bob Gordon on baritone sax, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Harry Babasin on bass, and Roy Harte on drums -- and the Babasin/Harte team return on the second half, which features quartet and quintet sides with Al Hendrickson on guitar, Bud Shank on tenor, and Marty Paich on piano. Titles include "Patty", "Herbstone", "Five Brothers", "The New York City Ghost", "Julie Is Her Name", "Sanguine", "Now Playing", "6/4 Mambo", and "Bananera".  *dustygroove.com*

1 - Jeepers Deepers

(McDougall)

2 - Dinah

(Lewis, Young, Akst)

3 - Five Brothers

(Mulligan)

4 - Herbstone

(Harper)

5 - Summertime

(Gershwin, Gershwin, Heyward)

6 - Jive At Five

(Edison, Basie)

7 - Patty

(Hendrickson, Graas)

8 - The New York City Ghost

(Young, Lee)

9 - Julie Is Her Name

(Troup)

10 - Sanguine

(Paich)

11 - Now Playing

(Hefti)

12 - 6/4 Mambo

(Graas)

13 - Bananera

(Riddle)

14 - Indian Summer

(Herbert)

15 - The Happy Clown

(Paich)

#1 to #6:

Herbie Harper (trombone), Bob Gordon (baritone sax), Jimmy Rowles (piano), Harry Babasin (bass), Roy Harte (drum).

United Western Recorders, Los Angeles, California, February 27, 1954.

#8, #10, #11, #15:

Herbie Harper (trombone), Bud Shank (tenor and baritone sax), Marty Paich (piano), Harry Babasin (bass), Roy Harte (drums).

United Western Recorders, Los Angeles, California, September 16, 1954.

#7, #9, #12, #13, #14:

Herbie Harper (trombone), Al Hendrickson (guitar), Harry Babasin (bass), Roy Harte (drums).

United Western Recorders, Los Angeles, California, September 27, 1954.