Shorty Rogers - Clickin' With Clax

With the resurgence of interest in West Coast Jazz, and Shorty Rogers in particular, here is a bonus in the form of a previously unissued album. Recorded in March 1956, and containing 8 originals in the characteristic Rogers mould.

As player, composer and arranger, Shorty on flugelhorn leads Herb Geller, Bud Shank, Bill Holman and Jimmy Giuffre, all on various reeds, with rhythm from Lou Levy, Ralph Peña and Shelly Manne.

This session once again proves just how good the West Coast musicians were, and that their music is jazz of the first order. *Neil Skrimshire (liner notes)*

This is swinging, compelling music twenty-two years after it was recorded. There is superb playing by the saxaphonists and exemplary arranging by Rogers, given the instrumentation of flugelhorn plus saxaphone and rhythm sections.

Shorty Rogers retired from jazz as an instrumentalist in 1963. Although he still fashions a jazz chart on occasion; for the past fifteen years he has concentrated on writing for television and motion pictures. But from 1942 to 1963, he accomplished everything there was for him to accomplish in jazz. *Todd Selbert (liner notes)* 

A gem of a record from Shorty Rogers – a set recorded in the mid 50s for Atlantic, but never issued at the time – making it not only a hell of an album, but a great discovery too! Shorty's in wonderful form here – working with some of the best modes learned on his RCA sides, served up with the tighter focus that we love in his other Atlantic recordings of the 50s – and graced with a great group of players who include Herb Geller on alto, Jimmy Giuffre on clarinet and tenor, Bud Shank on alto and baritone, Bill Holman on tenor, Lou Levy on piano, Ralph Peña on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums. With a lineup like that, you can bet things are on the money throughout – especially since all tunes are originals by Shorty, with great arrangements that really let all the solo voices come through strongly! *dustygroove.com*

1 - Toyland

2 - I Dig Ed

3 - Adam In New York

4 - Clickin' With Clax

5 - Put The Goodies On

6 - Our Song

7 - Pete's Meat

8 - Mike's Peak

(All compositions by Shorty Rogers)

Shorty Rogers (flugelhorn), Herb Geller (alto sax), Bud Shank (alto sax, baritone sax, bass sax), Bill Holman (tenor sax), Jimmy Giuffre (clarinet, tenor sax, baritone sax), Lou Levy (piano), Ralph Peña (bass), Shelly Manne (drums).

Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California, March 27 (#1 to #4) and March 30 (#5 to #8), 1956.