Jack Millman And His All-Stars

Trumpet and flugelhorn player Jack Millman was just 17 when he "sat in" with Lionel Hampton and was then invited by Hamp to join the band for a 6-week stint at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles. Just before he was drafted in the Army he joined the Stan Kenton Orchestra for a West Coast Road Tour. When he completed his service he came out to form and manage his own jazz groups throughout the 50's that played the West Coast scene extensively. Presented here is Millman's classic 1955 recordings featuring some of the greatest West Coast jazz players of all time.

A rare session as a leader by trumpeter Jack Millman – one that's based around his own compositions, and which a large group of west coast players alongside some lesser-known 50s talents! Players include Fred Aguirre, Lin Halliday, Artie Anto, Mike Pacheco, Curtis Counce, Herb Geller, Jimmy Giuffre, Howard Roberts, and Don Friedman – playing arrangements of Millman tunes by Shorty Rogers, Jimmy Giuffre, Jack Montrose, and Pete Rugolo. Tracks are short, but have wonderfully constructed horn passages – as well as some very nice use of Latin percussion – and titles include "Tom & Jerry", "Bolero De Mendez", "Groove Juice", "Pink Lady", "The Turk", and "Bambi".  *dustygroove.com*

A stimulating presentation of the modern jazz compositions of an outstanding writer, Jack Millman. The wide range of his written work is amply outlined here, and given tremendous interest since each of the 12 compositions included in this album is arranged by different man. Shorty Rogers, Jimmy Giuffre, Jack Montrose and Pete Rugolo are some of the prominent names. The instrumentalists also vary from item to item, but are taken from the ranks of the West Coast's finest musicians. Most of the music is light and listenable, written with a delicate balance of construction and careful selection of instrumentation. The stature of the arrangers and participating musicians will automatically garner good initial sales. *Billboard, November 19, 1955*

Jack Millman

And His All-Stars

1 - Groove Juice

2 - Pink Lady

3 - Too Much

4 - Ballade For Jeannie

5 - The Turk

6 - When You're Near

7 - Tom And Jerry

8 - So Goes My Love

9 - Bolero De Mendez

10 - Just a Pretty Tune

11 - Cathy Goes South

12 - Bambi

(All compositions by Jack Millman)

#1:

Jack Millman (flugelhorn), Bob Enevoldsen (valve trombone), Herb Geller (alto sax), Jimmy Giuffre (tenor sax), Bob Gordon (baritone sax), Claude Williamson (piano), Red Mitchell (bass), Shelly Manne (drums).

Arrangements by Jimmy Giuffre

Recorded in Los Angeles, June 1, 1955

#2:

Jack Millman (flugelhorn), Buddy Collette (flute), Bob Gordon (bass clarinet), Claude Williamson (piano), Howard Roberts (guitar), Red Mitchell (bass), Shelly Manne (drums).

Arrangements by Shorty Rogers

Recorded in Los Angeles, June 1, 1955

#3:

Jack Millman (flugelhorn), Lin Halliday (tenor sax), Ray Vázquez (baritone sax), Don Friedman (piano), Ralph Peña (bass), Gary Frommer (drums).

Arrangements by Jack Montrose

Recorded in Los Angeles, May 25, 1955

#4:

Jack Millman (trumpet), Maynard Ferguson (valve trombone), Buddy Collette (alto sax), Jack Montrose (tenor sax), Bob Gordon (baritone sax), Gerald Wiggins (piano), Curtis Counce (bass), Chico Hamilton (drums).

Arrangements by Lyle Murphy

Recorded in Los Angeles, May 18, 1955

 #5:

Jack Millman, Conte Candoli (trumpets); Gerald Wiggins (piano); Frank Flynn (vibes); Curtis Counce (bass); Chico Hamilton (drums); Mike Pacheco, Artie Anton, Fred Aguirre (percussion).

Arrangements by Jack Millman

Recorded in Los Angeles, May 18, 1955

#6:

Jack Millman (flugelhorn), Lin Halliday (tenor sax), Don Anderson (vibes), Don Overberg (guitar), Ralph Peña (bass), Gary Frommer (drums).

Arrangements by Chico Álvarez

Recorded in Los Angeles, May 25, 1955

#7:

Jack Millman (flugelhorn), Lin Halliday (tenor sax), Don Friedman (piano), Don Anderson (vibes), Don Overberg (guitar), Ralph Peña (bass), Gary Frommer (drums).

Arrangements by Gerald Wiggins

Recorded in Los Angeles, May 25, 1955

#8:

Jack Millman (flugelhorn), Ray Vázquez (baritone sax), Don Friedman (piano), Don Anderson (vibes), Ralph Peña (bass), Gary Frommer (drums).

Arrangements by Bill Holman

Recorded in Los Angeles, May 25, 1955

#9:

Jack Millman (flugelhorn); Buddy Collette (flute); Herb Geller (alto sax); Jimmy Giuffre (clarinet); Bob Gordon (baritone sax); Howard Roberts (guitar); Red Mitchell (bass); Shelly Manne (drums); Mike Pacheco, Jack Costanzo, Bob Enevoldsen (percussion).

Arrangements by Pete Rugolo

Recorded in Los Angeles, June 1, 1955

#10:

Jack Millman (trumpet), Bob Enevoldsen (valve trombone), Buddy Collette (flute), Jimmy Giuffre (tenor sax), Bob Gordon (baritone sax), Claude Williamson (piano), Red Norvo (vibes), Red Mitchell (bass), Shelly Manne (drums).

Arrangements by Frank Erickson

Recorded in Los Angeles, June 1, 1955

#11:

Jack Millman (trumpet); Buddy Collette (flute, alto sax); Jack Montrose (tenor sax, clarinet); Bob Gordon (baritone sax); Frank Flynn (vibes); Curtis Counce (bass); Chico Hamilton (drums); Mike Pacheco, Artie Anton, Fred Aguirre, Maynard Ferguson (percussion).

Arrangements by Johnny Mandel

Recorded in Los Angeles, May 18, 1955

#12:

Jack Millman (trumpet), Maynard Ferguson (valve trombone), Buddy Collette (alto sax), Jack Montrose (tenor saxs), Barney Kessel (guitar), Frank Flynn (vibes), Chico Hamilton (drums).

Arrangements by Gene Roland

Recorded in Los Angeles, May 18, 1955

All sessions recorded at Decca Studios and United Western Recorders