Lighthouse All-Stars Collection IV

Howard Rumsey

Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars

Volume 2

★Sunday Jazz A La Lighthouse • Vol. 2★

This was the first 10-inch LP released by Contemporary, and one of the most popular of the many Lighthouse All-Stars albums from the 1950s. It has been continually requested by fans, but never been reissued on compact disc until now. Recorded as the West Coast movement was kicking into high gear, it captures the enthusiasm of the young players at the center of the Southern California jazz scene, the good-natured encouragement and enjoyment of the Lighthouse audience, and the interaction between musicians and listeners. The original selections feature Howard Rumsey, Shorty Rogers, Russ Freeman, Jimmy Giuffre, Bob Cooper, Milt Bernhart, and Shelly Manne. Three previously unissued performances by a different edition of the All-Stars include Chet Baker sitting in with Rolf Ericson, Bud Shank, Claude Williamson, Max Roach, Cooper, and Rumsey. Musicians and patrons are laughing and grooving, the cash register is ringing, and the atmosphere is full of good feeling. This is West Coast jazz in full bloom. *concord.com*

The first six tracks are the original title album that was recorded live for the Contemporary label at the Lighthouse on May 15, 1953. The front line is comprised of Shorty Rogers on trumpet, Milt Bernhart on trombone, and Bob Cooper and Jimmy Giuffre on tenor sax. The rhythm section features Russ Freeman on piano, Howard Rumsey on bass and Shelly Manne on drums.

Basically this is more of a jam session than a planned recording, and the energy is definitely pouring from this album. I'll admit that the sound quality is not stellar, but it's also not terrible. I still awarded five stars because this is truly the birth of the West Coast jazz sound. However, there is a healthy dose of East Coast influence in the music because the West Coast style was just evolving.

If you are familiar with Shorty Rogers work in the 1950s these tracks are stamped with his signature sound, which seems to dominate any ensemble in which he is playing.

The final three tracks are from a live session at the Lighthouse that was recorded for Contemporary on September 13, 1953. These tracks were intended for albums titled Chet Baker And The Lighthouse All-Stars - Witch Doctor and Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars - Mexican Passport, but did not make the release. They feature a front line of Chet Baker and Rolf Ericson on trumpet and Bud Shank on alto sax. The rhythm section features Lorraine Geller (tracks 7 and 9) and Claude Williamson (track 8) on piano, Rumsey on bass and Max Roach on drums. These tracks have a more definite West Coast jazz feel although they were only recorded four months after the first six tracks. *Mike Tarrani (amazon.com)*

1 - Luau

(Shorty Rogers)

2 - Comin' Thru The Rye Bread

(Shorty Rogers)

3 - Taking A Chance On Love

(Duke, Fetter, LaTouche)

4 - The Big Top

(Jimmy Giuffre)

5 - The Duke You Say!

(Jimmy Giuffre)

6 - Sunset Eyes

(Edwards, Wayne)

7 - Glidin' Along

(Jimmy Giuffre)

8 - Beau Boy

(Shorty Rogers)

9 - Four Others

(Jimmy Giuffre)

#1 to #6:

Shorty Rogers [as Name Whithheld] (trumpet); Jimmy Giuffre, Bob Cooper (tenor saxes);

Milt Bernhart (trombone); Russ Freeman (piano);

Howard Rumsey (bass); Shelly Manne (drums).

#7, #8, #9 (previously unreleased):

Chet Baker, Rolf Ericson (trumpets); Bob Cooper (tenor sax); Bud Shank (alto sax);

Lorraine Geller [#7, #9], Claude Williamson [#8] (piano);

Howard Rumsey (bass); Max Roach (drums).

Recorded live at the Lighthouse, Hermosa Beach, California,

May 15 (#1 to #6) and September 13 (#7 to #9), 1953