Howard Lucraft - Showcase For Modern Jazz

Until 1950, Mr. Lucraft was a 'name' band leader in England, and was featured regularly by the British Broadcasting Corporation, both with his band and as an arranger and commentator, etc. for many of the national jazz broadcasts. 

Since 1950, he has resided in Hollywood, functioning on both sides of the fence — as an arranger-composer for leading bands and groups, and as a critic and editorial representative for "Metronome" (U.S.A.), "Encyclopedia of Jazz", and "Melody Maker" (Great Britain). 

In 1954, jointly with Stan Kenton, he started JAZZ INTERNATIONAL. This is the famous world-wide organization of jazz enthusiasts and musicians whose chief purpose is the universal propagation of the art.

Mr. Lucraft is the producer of the "Jazz International Show" on radio, broadcast by over 100 radio stations throughout the United States and Canada, and director of a "Jazz International Show" for the Armed Forces Radio. The latter is said to have 100 million listeners in all parts of the world. In addition, Lucraft produced and hosted the "Jazz International" weekly TV show in Los Angeles.

*(Liner Notes)*

At the weekly meetings of the Hollywood chapter of the JAZZ INTERNATIONAL organization, it has been my privilege to present some of the greatest jazz artists in the world. This album features a large number of the star West Coast instrumentalists regularly involved. 

In writing all the music I tried to present these exciting musicians in some varying styles of modern jazz. The arrangements are simple with full freedom for the guys to express themselves. We tried to create good swinging, melodic and inventive jazz. *Howard Lucraft* 

Side 1

1 - Blue Moon

(Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart)

2 - I'll Never Say "Never Again" Again

(Harry Woods)

3 - California Zephyr

(Howard Lucraft)

4 - I May Be Wrong (But I Think You're Wonderful)

(Henry Sullivan, Harry Ruskin)

5 - Larrissa

(Howard Lucraft)

Side 2

6 - Midnight Sun

(Sonny Burke, Lionel Hampton)

7 - Smog A La Mode

(Howard Lucraft)

8 - Jazz For Gene

(Howard Lucraft)

9 - Two Part Contention

(Dave Brubeck)

Howard Lucraft [a.k.a. John Doe] (leader, arranger and guitar [#1, #4, #5, #7]) with:

#1, #4, #7:

Bud Shank (alto sax, flute); Buddy Collette (clarinet, baritone sax); Red Mitchell (bass); Mel Lewis (drums).

Recorded in Hollywood, California, June 24, 1957.

#3, #6, #9: 

Art Pepper (alto sax), Bob Cooper (tenor sax, oboe), Claude Williamson (piano), Monty Budwig (bass), Stan Levey (drums).

Recorded in Hollywood, California, July 8, 1957.

#2, #5, #8:

Charlie Mariano (alto sax, baritone sax); Conte Candoli, Stu Williamson (trumpets); Frank Rosolino (trombone); Pete Jolly (piano, accordion); Leroy Vinnegar (bass); Shelly Manne (drums).

Recorded in Hollywood, California, July 15, 1957.