Lighthouse All-Stars Collection XXIV ★ Rarities at The Lighthouse

Los Angeles Jazz Institute 

Presents

West Coast Rarities

✤✤

Gerry Mulligan, Lennie Niehaus and Bud Shank at The Lighthouse

Apart from the unitary and official recordings that have been presented within the Lighthouse All-Stars collection, there are many stray private recordings that are gradually becoming known. One of them is this compendium with unreleased recordings compiled from original sources from the Los Angeles Jazz Institute archive.

Specifically, there are only three live recordings at the Lighthouse Cafe, although the others are of equal importance as they involve equally famous settings related to the West Coast Jazz movement of the 1950s.

Through this valuable material, which spans from 1952 to 1958, we witness the birth and consolidation of a vibrant musical scene in Southern California. The audio testimonies show us the inner history of its protagonists at key moments, such as a Gerry Mulligan newly arrived in the city and about to revolutionize the genre with his pianoless quartet, or the debut of Shorty Rogers' Big Band during an early morning television charity telethon.

The album also functions as a cartographic journey through the night spots that defined the era, taking the listener beyond the Lighthouse to enter jazz temples as legendary as The Haig, the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, Zardi's, or the Peacock Lane, and even singular events like the grand opening of a record store. Likewise, the document highlights the close camaraderie and spirit of collaboration among West Coast musicians, fostering spontaneous summits where figures of the stature of Stan Getz joined established groups.

It is also worth noting the enormous logistical and historical value of some of these tracks, which document the famous off-nights at the Lighthouse, when on Mondays and Tuesdays the club opened its doors to guest ensembles such as the Lennie Niehaus Quintet. It should be noted that the recordings contained on this compact disc come from a variety of sources, some of which were recorded under non-professional conditions; however, the editors have rightly considered that the extreme rarity and unique character of these performances preclude and compensate for any flaws that the quality of the original sound may present.

1 - Elevation

(Gerry Mulligan)

At the time of this recording, Gerry Mulligan had been in Los Angeles for about five months but had yet to find regular work. He wrote some arrangements for Stan Kenton and participated in jam sessions all over town. This rare recording finds Mulligan, prior to the formation of his "pianoless" quartet, sitting in on one of the Sunday sessions at The Lighthouse.

Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All-Stars:

Shorty Rogers (trumpet), Jimmy Giuffre (tenor sax), Bob Cooper (tenor sax),

Gerry Mulligan (baritone sax), Frank Patchen (piano),

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

Recorded live at the Lighthouse, Hermosa Beach, June 1, 1952

2 - Move

(Denzil Best)

"Move" was recorded live at The Haig during one of the first appearances of the new Gerry Mulligan Quartet. The group played the four Tuesdays in August while the Red Norvo Trio was the featured attraction throughout the week. It was during these first Tuesday nights that the Quartet became a sensation prompting the formation of Pacific Jazz Records. Before long both Mulligan and Chet Baker would become major jazz stars.

The Gerry Mulligan Quartet:

Gerry Mulligan (baritone sax), Chet Baker (trumpet),

Bob Whitlock (bass), Chico Hamilton (drums).

Recorded live at the Haig, Los Angeles, August, 1952

3 - Short Snort

(Shorty Rogers)

This live concert, recorded at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, features a dream line-up put together by Shorty Rogers specifically for this date. A true summit meeting of the giants of West Coast jazz.

Shorty Rogers and His Giants:

Shorty Rogers, Chet Baker (trumpets); Art Pepper (alto sax);

Wardell Gray (tenor sax); Gerry Mulligan (baritone sax);

Bob Enevoldsen (valve trombone); Hampton Hawes (piano);

Joe Mondragon (bass); Lawrence Marable (drums).

Recorded live at the Rendezvous Ballroom, Balboa Beach, September 28, 1952

4 - Short Stop

(Shorty Rogers)

This television broadcast from 1953 marked the debut of Shorty Rogers Big Band. It comes from a 25 hour Cerebral Palsy telethon hosted by Jack Webb. The show began at 11pm on Friday night and continued until midnight Saturday. Jazz fans had to stay up late if they wanted to see Shorty's new big band. The jazz segment didn't get underway until 3 o'clock in the morning.

Shorty Rogers Big Band:

Shorty Rogers, Conrad Gozzo, Tommy Reeves, Reuben McFall (trumpets);

Jack Dulong, Bud Shank, Bill Perkins, Don Davidson (reeds);

Herbie Harper, Harry Betts, Bob Enevoldsen (trombones);

John Graas (french horn); Paul Sarmento (tuba);

Marty Paich (piano); Joe Mondragon (bass); Shelly Manne (drums)

Cerebral Palsy Telethon, KBCA Channel 7, Los Angeles, June 6, 1953

5 - The Goof and I

(Al Cohn)

"The Goof and I " was recorded live at the Grand Opening of Larsen's Record Room in El Segundo and features the swinging 1955 version of the All-Stars with that great front line of Candoli, Shank, Cooper and Rosolino.

Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All-Stars:

Conte Candoli (trumpet), Bud Shank (alto sax),

Bob Cooper (tenor sax), Frank Rosolino (trombone),

Claude Williamson (piano), Howard Rumsey (bass), Stan Levey (drums).

Recorded live at Larsen’s Record Room, El Segundo, March 4, 1955

6 - Topsy

(Edgar Battle, Eddie Durham)

By 1955, Shorty Rogers was a very busy man. In addition to his ever growing studio work, the Giants had recently started recording for Atlantic Records and had also begun a long engagement at Zardi's Jazz Club on Hollywood Blvd. Shorty's boyhood friend from the Bronx, Stan Getz, was in Los Angeles at the time and is found here sitting in with the Giants.

Shorty Rogers and His Giants with Stan Getz:

Shorty Rogers (trumpet), Jimmy Giuffre (clarinet), Stan Getz (tenor sax),

Pete Jolly (piano), Ralph Pena (bass), Shelly Manne (drums).

Recorded live at Zardi's, Hollywood, August 4, 1955

7 - Everybody Moan

(Ernie Wilkins)

Maynard Ferguson had spent the latter part of 1956 in New York with his Birdland Dream Band. After the Birdland engagement and subsequent recordings for Vik records he returned to Los Angeles and re-formed the West Coast Dream Band. That band was booked for the holidays at the Peacock Lane Club which was located at Hollywood Blvd. and Western Ave.

Maynard Ferguson and His Orchestra:

Maynard Ferguson, Ed Leddy, Joe Burnett, Tom Slaney (trumpets);

Herb Geller, Richie Kamuca, Nino Tempo, Willie Maiden (reeds);

Bob Fitzpatrick, Bob Burgess (trombones);

Paul Moer (piano); Red Kelly (bass); Mel Lewis (drums).

Recorded live at Peacock Lane, Hollywood, January 4, 1957

8 - Just Friends

(John Klenner, Sam M. Lewis)

By the late 1950s, The Lighthouse All-Stars worked Wednesday - Saturday plus the Sunday Concerts. Mondays and Tuesdays featured groups booked specifically for the off-nights. During the summer of 1957, the off night group was The Lennie Niehaus Quintet. This rare recording was made from the audience on one of those Monday or Tuesday nights.

The Lennie Niehaus Quintet:

Lennie Niehaus (alto sax), Bill Perkins (tenor sax),

Paul Moer (piano), Buddy Clark (bass), Mel Lewis (drums).

Recorded live at the Lighthouse, Hermosa Beach, July, 1957

9 - Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me / Theme

(Duke Ellington / Bud Shank)

During the holiday season of 1957-58 Bud Shank returned to the familiar surroundings of the Lighthouse this time leading his own successful Quartet. The quartet was captured here for the KMLA "Nightlife" program.

Bud Shank Quartet:

Bud Shank (alto sax), Claude Williamson (piano),

Don Prell (bass), Chuck Flores (drums).

KMLA "Nightlife" Broadcast

Recorded live at the Lighthouse, Hermosa Beach, January 1, 1958