Trumpet Conclave (I)

Conte Candoli • Nick Travis • Dick Sherman

Bernie Glow • Phil Sunkel • Don Stratton • Al De Risi

Cool Gabriels 

One of the rather surprising developments in the jazz field over the past few years has been the comparative neglect of that most venerated of jazz instruments, the trumpet. Since about 1950, when jazz started its upward climb toward its present pinnacle of popularity and prosperity, there have been scores of jazz albums issued featuring saxes, pianos, guitars and trombones, but comparatively few featuring cool horns. In order to somewhat rectify what appears to be an unfair situation for 

modern trumpet players, and to show how enjoyable cool trumpets can sound, this album was conceived. Since it was to be a showcase for cool horn men, it had to show off many different styles of trumpet, and it had to feature both wellknown modern trumpeters as well as rising young horn men who were just beginning to obtain recognition for their work. In addition, it had to display these "Cool Gabriels" both as soloists and in ensemble, to prove the versatility of the men and their instrument. In all these respects, this album of cool horns has succeeded admirably.

*Radio Corporation of America, 1956 (liner notes)*

This rare and longtime hard-to-find album was conceived to show how enjoyable cool trumpets can sound. Featured "Cool Gabriels" are Conte Candoli, Nick Travis, Don Stratton, Bernie Glow, Phil Sunkel, Al de Risi and Dick Sherman. The tune contained in this album were selected specifically to give each "Gabriel" a chance to show his stuff and also to demonstrate the various moods that could be brilliantly exemplified wit a trumpet ensemble. The fun that the musicians had making these recordings is apparent on every selection, including the Gerry Mulligan tunes, the clever Al Cohn items 'Cupcake' and 'Spooky', John Benson Brooks' devilish 'Nick', Paul Selden's somber 'Something Blue', and Elliot Lawrence's ligh compositions. *Jordi Pujol*

Cool Gabriels is a trumpet conclave with Conte Candoli, Nick Travis, Dick Sherman, Don Stratton, and Phil Sunkel soloing over a background of alternating lead trumpets Bernie Glow and Al De Risi, Elliot Lawrence, Burgher (Buddy) Jones, Sol Gubin, and themselves. Glow solos on "Arms". The writing is by Lawrence, Al Cohn, Paul Selden, Gerry Mulligan (arranged by Lawrence), and John Benson Brooks. The scoring is clean, always flowing, and sometimes quite ingratiating.

The solos are also of a consistently controlled and assured level while the ensemble playing is sharp and alive. Yet there is little here that really clutches the emotions, little that is nakedly beneath the surface. It's like a good issue of a well-produced slick magazine — Time, let's say. For a more earthy, more deeply wailing trumpet meeting, try Savoy's Top Brass under Ernie Wilkins' direction. But this isn't a dull set by any means. It just doesn't let go enough. There are two takes of "The Swingin' Scot". A complete solo chart is helpfully provided.

*Nat Hentoff (Down Beat, November 28, 1956)*

Side 1

1 - Five O'Clock Shadow

(Lawrence, Reichner)

2 - Cupcake

(Al Cohn)

3 - Mostly Latin

(Elliot Lawrence)

4 - Something Blue

(Paul Selden)

5 - The Swingin' Scot (part 1 and part 2)

(Elliot Lawrence)

6 - Love Is Just Around The Corner

(Leo Robin, Lewis Gensler)

Side 2

7 - Elevation

(Elliot Lawrence, Gerry Mulligan)

8 - Spooky

(Al Cohn)

9 - Happy Hooligan

(Gerry Mulligan)

10 - Each Other's Arms

(Lawrence, Glenn, Reichner)

11 - Nick

(John Benson Brooks)

#1, #7, #8, #9:

Nick Travis, Bernie Glow, Conte Candoli, Don Stratton (trumpets);

Elliott Lawrence (piano); Burgher "Buddy" Jones (bass); Sol Gubin (drums).

#2, #3, #4, #6:

Nick Travis, Al De Risi, Conte Candoli, Don Stratton, Dick Sherman (trumpets);

Elliot Lawrence (piano); Burgher "Buddy" Jones (bass); Sol Gubin (drums).

#5, #10, #11:

Nick Travis, Bernie Glow, Conte Candoli, Don Stratton, Phil Sunkel (trumpets);

Elliott Lawrence (piano); Burgher "Buddy" Jones (bass); Sol Gubin (drums).

Recorded in New York City, June 1 (#1, #7, #8, #9),

June 12 (#2, #3, #4, #6) and June 14 (#5, #10, #11), 1956