Leonard Feather Presents… ★1952 • 1954★

Hot Versus Cool

Have any of your friends ever bothered you with questions about the difference between Hot Jazz and Cool Jazz? Or Dixieland and Birdland? Traditional and Modern? Moldy Pig and Bop?

Whether you’re a square or already aware, you’ll find the performances in this album the perfect answer.

To point up the differences between these two sharply contrasted schools of jazz —long recognized by musicians but ignored or misunderstood by the public— two bands were assembled at Birdland, the famous Broadway jazz spot, and both were let loose on the same four tunes.

The Birdlanders, representing the cool jazz contingent, were playing on their home grounds, but to even things up we invited a bunch of Dixieland fans to be present at Birdland that night. As you'll hear from the applause on the records, there was no prejudice in the audience; they seemed equally enthused over beth groups.

Heading the modernist faction is John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, a product of Cheraw, S.C., who rose in the mid-1940’s to become an international symbol of what was then known by the disarming name of bop, but has since evolved into acceptance as Cool Jazz.

Leading the Dixielanders is Jimmy McPartland, the amazingly youthful veteran whose horn was a highlight of 1927-8 recordings by pioneers like McKenzie & Condon’s Chicagoans, Ben Pollack’s orchestra, the Wolverines, and Benny Goodman’s first recording combo.

Whether your tastes in jazz run to the hot or cool, whether or not you can define Dixieland Jazz or Birdland Jazz in words, you’re bound to find something of major interest in the music on these records. And, incidentally, it ought to help settle a lot of arguments!

*Leonard Feather (liner notes)*

Cats Versus Chicks

Although the musicians on this unique session aimed at contrast rather than contest, comparison instead of competition, the fact remains that this is, in effect, a four-round fight for the terry-weight championship.

In one corner, from Detroit, Michigan, and from Terry Gibbs’ Quartet, weighing 105 pounds, wearing brown mallets and, no doubt, a terrycloth gown, we have Miss Terry Pollard, one of the youngest and swingingest new stars on the jazz scene.

In the other corner, from St. Louis, Mo. and from Duke Ellington’s Orchestra (plus previous experience with Count Basie and Charlie Barnet), weighing 185 pounds and blowing some of the most personal and delightful jazz trumpet around, we have the redoubtable Clark Terry.

The officials’ score cards read as follows:

Referee Leonard Feather gives round 1 to the cats, 2 and 4 to the chicks, round 3 even.

Nat Hentoff of Down Beat gives round 1 to the cats, 2 and 3 to the chicks, round 4 even.

Judge Barry Ulanov of Metronome (who insists he is no male chauvinist) gives all four rounds to the men. 

Result: a split decision in favor of the chicks. 

What is your verdict? *(from liner notes)*

Leonard Feather Presents

Hot Versus Cool

And

Cats Versus Chicks

Hot Versus Cool - A Battle Of Jazz

1 - How High The Moon

(Lewis, Hamilton)

2 - How High The Moon

(Lewis, Hamilton)

3 - Indiana

(Hanley, McDonald)

4 - Indiana

(Hanley, McDonald)

5 - Muskrat Ramble

(Kid Ory)

6 - Muskrat Ramble

(Kid Ory)

7 - Battle Of The Blues

(unknow)

8 - Battle Of The Blues

(unknow)

Cats Versus Chicks - A Jazz Battle Of The Sexes

9 - Cat Meets Chick

(Leonard Feather)

10 - Cat Meets Chick

(Leonard Feather)

11 - Mamblues

(Williams)

12 - Mamblues

(Williams)

13 - The Man I Love

(George and Ira Gershwin)

14 - The Man I Love

(George and Ira Gershwin)

15 - Anything You Can Do

(Irving Berlín)

#1, #8: Dizzy Gillespie's Cool Jazz Stars

Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet), Don Elliott (mellophone, trumpet), Dick Cary (trumpet added #8),

Buddy DeFranco (clarinet), Jimmy McPartland (clarinet added #8), Ray Abrams (tenor sax),

Ronnie Ball (piano), Al McKibbon (bass), Max Roach (drums)

#2, #4 [as Edmond Hall And The Hot Jazz Stars], #5, #7: Jimmy McPartland's Hot Jazz Stars

Jimmy McPartland (cornet), Vic Dickenson (trombone), Edmond Hall (clarinet),

Dick Cary (piano, trumpet), Jack Lesberg (bass), George Wettling (drums).

#3, #6: Buddy De Franco And The Cool Jazz Stars

Buddy DeFranco (clarinet), Don Elliott (mellophone), Ray Abrams (tenor sax),

Ronnie Ball (piano), Al McKibbon (bass), Max Roach (drums)

Recorded live at Birdland, New York City, November 24 1952

#9, #11, #14: Clark Terry And His Septet

Clark Terry (trumpet), Lucky Thompson (tenor sax), Urbie Green (trombone),

Horace Silver (piano), Tal Farlow (guitar), Percy Heath (bass), Kenny Clarke (drums).

#10, #12, #13: Terry Pollard And Her Septet

Terry Pollard (vibes), Norma Carson (trumpet), Beryl Booker (piano),

Mary Osborn (guitar), Bonnie Wetzel (bass), Elaine Leighton (drums), Corky Hecht (harp)

#15: Clark Terry And His Septet and Terry Pollard And Her Septet 

Recorded in New York City, June 2 1954