Norman Simmons And Richard Evans - Two Obscure Jazz Trio Albums

A superb craftsman and an accomplished soloist, arranger, composer and educator, pianist Norman Simmons was born in Chicago in 1929. By 1954 he was leading a popular trio in his home town, where it became the group of choice for such visiting greats as Lester Young, Wardell Gray, Charlie Parker, Ben Webster, and Dexter Gordon.

Simmons made his recording debut with his trio on this 1956 Argo album, sensitively accompanied by bassist Victor Sproles and drummer Vernell Fournier, his impeccable swing, taste, judgment and technique — and a trio approach redolent of pianist Billy Taylors — are evident throughout a varied programme of originals and standards. The ballads, "Moonlight in Vermont" and "My Funny Valentine", in particular show an exquisite feel for the form.

Bassist Richard Evans, born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1932 but raised in Chicago, had an enviably multifaceted CV by the time he made his leader debut on record with Richards Almanac in 1959, also for Argo. Experience with the Sun Ra Arkestra, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson and as one of singer Dinah Washingtons accompanists, ensured he knew how to deliver. Leading a trio enhanced by the excellent work of pianist Jack Wilson and drummer Robert Barry, he offers a mobile fulcrum for an engagingly varied programme of standards and originals, deft, accessible and always swinging. *Jordi Pujol*

Norman Simmons Trio

Plus

Richard Evans Trio

About Norman Simmons Trio:

If this first album is a sample of things to come, a new talent has arrived. The group is similar in styling and technique to Billy Taylor's. The trio hails from Chicago, where theyare quite popular, and interest ois a national level should develop in time. The Norman Simmons Trio is definitely one to watch. *Billboard, May 6, 1957*

About Richard Evans Trio:

A rare early trio session from bassist Richard Evans — known much more famously for his late 60s soul and jazz arrangements at Chess! The set's not only unique for it's exposure of Evans as a jazz artist, but it also marks one of the first appearances of pianist Jack Wilson — still a part of the Chicago scene at the time of this album, but already playing with the fluid lyricism we love so much from his 60s LA recordings! Wilson's piano is a really key part of the record, and he works a groove that's simply sublime — filled with lots of flowing, gliding touches on the top of the keys, but also coming across with enough of a bottom to give the record plenty of soul! The drummer in the group is Robert Barry, another noteworthy south sider at the time — and titles include "Consu", "The Preacher", "Trees", "Vera", "Should I", and "Daybreak". Nice cover, too, with a young Evans sitting in front of a globe! *dustygroove.com*

1 - Capacity In Blues

(Norman Simmons)

2 - Stella By Starlight

(Young, Washington)

3 - Jan

(Norman Simmons)

4 - My Funny Valentine

(Rodgers, Hart)

5 - Peppe

(Norman Simmons)

6 - Chili Bowl

(Norman Simmons)

7 - Moonlight In Vermont

(Suessdorf, Blackburn)

8 - You Do Something To Me

(Cole Porter)

9 - Love Is Eternal

(Norman Simmons)

10 - They Cant Take That Away From Me

(G. and I. Gershwin)

11 - Tranquility

(Norman Simmons)

12 - Trees

(Rasbach, Kilmer)

13 - Vera

(Bill Evans)

14 - Im Glad There Is You

(Madeira, Dorsey)

15 - The Preacher

(Horace Silver)

16 - Crazy Rhythm

(Meyer, Kahn)

17 - Bye Bye, Blackbird

(Henderson, Dixon)

18 - Daybreak

(Adamson, Grofe)

19 - Consu

(Jack Wilson)

20 - Should I?

(Brown, Freed)

21 - Jeepers Creepers

(Warren, Mercer)

#1 to #11: The Norman Simmons Trio 

from the album Norman Simmons Trio (Argo LP 607)

Norman Simmons (piano), Victor Sproles (bass), Vernell Fournier (drums).

Recorded at Universal Studios, Chicago, Illinois, October 1956.

#12 to #21: The Richard Evans Trio

from the album Richard's Almanac (Argo LP 658)

Jack Wilson (piano), Richard Evans (bass), Robert Barry (drums).

Recorded at Ter-Mar Studios, Chicago, Illinois, July 21, 22 and 23, 1959.