Bob Prince And... Saxes, Inc.

Thirteen of the country's top sax men in a musicians' —and listeners'— holiday.

This album is a tribute to many things; the saxophone itself, the great musicians of its brief history, some of the repertoire which has been associated with this peculiary jazz-suited instrument, the specific musicians who made these recordings, and most of all to the arranger whose interpretation of this unique idea is an extraordinary example of the creativity and technique that consistently mark his work. Bob Prince faced a difficult challenge in accepting the assignment of a "Saxophones, Inc." album, and made it still more challenging by resolving to use a great deal of material which has been associated with the instrument and its past masters. His conception of what and how to write for a saxophone ensemble has been brilliantly executed.

Prince did not start work until he had set the personnel for each session. He drew his primary inspiration from the virtuosity of each member of the ensemble; he wrote specifically for the individuals who made this recording. *George Avakian (liner notes)*

Saxes Inc. — a unique sax-heavy session done by Warner Brothers, and a blaring batch of tracks played by an all-star all-sax group that includes Herb Geller, Phil Woods, Gene Quill, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Seldon Powell, Hal McKusick, and Georgie Auld! Bob Prince arranged and conducted, and the approach is surprisingly modernist, with the saxes carrying the bulk of the rhythm and melody, as well as the solos —a really great approach that makes for plenty of unique moments— all handled with a sound that's a lot more fluid than you might expect! Titles include "Four Brothers" (of course!), "The Gypsy", "Night In Tunisia", "Jumpin With Symphony Sid", and "Axmobile".

*Jordi Pujol*

1 - Fugue For Tinhorns

(Frank Loesser)

2 - Broadway

(Woode, McRae, Bird)

3 - The Gypsy

(Billy Reid)

4 - Night In Tunisia

(Gillespie, Paparelli)

5 - Four Brothers

(Jimmy Giuffre)

6 - Sometimes I'm Happy

(Caesar, Youmans)

7 - Tickle-Toe

(Lester Young)

8 - Sweet And Lovely

(Arnheim, Tobias, Lemare)

9 - Jumpin' With Symphony Sid

(Lester Young)

10 - Early Autumn

(Mercer, Burns, Herman)

11 - Axmobile

(Robert Prince)

Al Cohn, Coleman Hawkins, Georgie Auld, Morty Lewis, Seldon Powell, Zoot Sims (tenor saxes); Gene Quill, Herb Geller, Phil Woods (alto saxes); Al Epstein, Gene Allen, Sol Schlinger (baritone saxes); Hal McKusick (soprano sax); Shelly Gold (bass sax); Dick Katz (piano); George Duvivier (bass); Osie Johnson (drums). 

Arranged and directed by Bob Prince.

Recorded in New York City, July and August, 1959.