John Gamba And Claude Williamson - Rare And Obscure Jazz Albums

 

Mr. Counterpoint

This album took its title from a club in West Orange, N.J., called Counterpoint. The club was owned by pianist John Gamba, making him one of the few jazz musicians to become a club owner. A skilled technician, the pianist managed to infuse his performances with a good deal of unexpected fire. Indeed, there were moments on "In Other Words", "Yesterdays", and "Lullaby Of The Leaves" that sharply suggested the legendary Eddie Costa. Gamba had the strong percussive approach to his instrument that was a hallmark of Costa and displayed a similar concept of time. Don Cinderella kept tightly in the rhythm section and proved to be a sensitive and imaginative soloist of some measure in "Lullaby Of The Leaves", "Things Ain't What They Used To Be", and "In Other Words". Paul Motian, Bill Evans' drummer for the previous three years, made his presence decidedly felt in the group's sound, and his secondary playing was very sensitive and musical, adding color and depth to John Gamba's honest and swinging piano playing. *Jordi Pujol*

The Fabulous Claude Williamson Trio

Claude Williamson (1926-2016) stood out as one of the most prolific jazz pianists on the West Coast in the 1950s. Influenced primarily by Teddy Wilson, later by Al Haig and Bud Powell, he took his first steps as a member of Charlie Barnet's excellent orchestra (1947-1949), showcasing himself as a jazzman with numerous virtues: a burgeoning pianist with a keen sense of emotions and definite instrumental ability. After this initial and enriching experience, Claude accompanied June Christy (1950-1951) and then spent over two years as the resident pianist at the Lighthouse Café, where he solidified his reputation as a soloist with the Howard Rumsey All-Stars. Subsequently, thanks to his exceptional versatility and talent, and until the mid-1960s, Claude played a crucial role not only as the leader of his trio in recordings but also as an accompanist on numerous albums featuring almost all the best jazz performers and orchestras from the Los Angeles scene. In this recording from 1961, Claude leads a trio that delivers a powerful and emotionally charged performance, presenting an excellent selection of standards with many captivating moments. *Jordi Pujol*

1 - Things Ain't What They Used To Be

(Duke Ellington)

2 - In Other Words

(Bart Howard)

3 - In A Sentimental Mood

(Duke Ellington)

4 - Yesterdays

(Jerome Kern)

5 - Green Dolphin Street

(Kaper, Washington)

6 - Wait Till You See Her

(Rodgers, Hart)

7 - Lullaby Of The Leaves

(Petkere, Young)

8 - Secret Love

(Fain, Webster)

9 - Witchcraft

(Coleman, Leight)

10 - A Foggy Day

(G. and  I. Gershwin)

11 - Young At Heart

(Richards, Leigh)

12 - You Make Me Feel So Young

(Myrrow, Gordon)

13 - Nancy

(Van Heusen, Cahn)

14 - The Lady Is A Tramp

(Rodgers, Hart)

15 - Anything Goes

(Cole Porter)

16 - All The Way

(Van Heusen, Cahn)

17 - They Can't Take That Away From Me

(G. and  I. Gershwin)

18 - While We're Young

(Wilder, Palittz, Engvic)

19 - Let There Be Love

(Cole Porter)

#1 to #8:

from the album Mr. Counterpoint – Jazz Impressions by John Gamba (Del Moral LPDM 103)

John Gamba (piano), Don Cinderella (bass), Paul Motian (drums).

Recorded at Bell Sound Studios, New York City, August 1962

#9 to #19:

from the album The Fabulous Claude Williamson Trio (Contract 15001)

Claude Williamson (piano), Duke Morgan (bass), Chuck Flores (drums).

Recorded in Los Angeles, California, 1961