Cool Blends (VIII) - Broadway Panorama

Bud Shank–Bob Cooper Quintet

Chico Hamilton Quintet

Stu Williamson Quartet

Russ Freeman Trio

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Jazz Swing Broadway

The manner in which jazz groups are encouraged to adopt the showtunes of Broadway as a starting point for inspiration is resulting in some happy marriages and some unfortunate mismatches. This album show that ordinary tunes often are given an extended life, and the superior ones set forth in fresh flights of fancy. As a convenient way to assimilate the divergent styles and schools of jazz, they illustrate an important coincidental part of this trend. Four West Coast groups examine numbers from Li'l Abner ("Namely You", "Love in a Home", "Progress Is the Root of All Evil"), My Fair Lady ("I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face", "Show Me"), Damn Yankees ("Two Lost Souls"), The Most Happy Fella ("Joey, Joey, Joey"), Bells Are Ringing ("Just in Time", "Independent", "The Party's Over"), and Happy Hunting ("I'm a Funny Dame", "Mutual Admiration Society").

The Bud Shank–Bob Cooper Quintet sticks closest to musical-comedy conventions; the Chico Hamilton Quintet shifts the emphasis to quiet chamber music; and the Stu Williamson Quartet and Russ Freeman Trio are both paced by drummer Shelly Manne in vital inventions. Produced by pianist Russ Freeman, the record shows the considerable variety in groups lumped together in one school. *Edward Tatnall Canby (Audio [Record Revue], May 1958)*

Bright lights and music! The excitement and color of a first-night crowd, matched with the enthusiasm and richness of jazz! Jazz Swings Broadway—with twelve perfect reasons for staying. Spotted across the album you'll find the finest tunes, ballads and jumpers, from six hit Broadway shows—MY FAIR LADY, LI’L ABNER, DAMN YANKEES, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, BELLS ARE RINGING and HAPPY HUNTING—showcased at their finest by four of the West Coast's top jazz groups. So light up the marquees, Broadway—Jazz is here! *(from the liner notes)*

Side 1

1 - Mutual Admiration Society

(Matt Dubey, Harold Karr)

2 - I'm A Funny Dame

(Matt Dubey, Harold Karr)

3 - Namely You

(Johnny Mercer, Gene de Paul)

4 - The Party's Over

(Betty Camden, Adolph Green, Julie Styne)

5 - Two Lost Souls

(Richard Adler, Jerry Ross)

6 - Love In A Home

(Johnny Mercer, Gene de Paul)

Side 2

7 - Progress Is The Root Of All Evil

(Johnny Mercer, Gene de Paul)

8 - I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face

(Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Lowe)

9 - Show Me

(Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Lowe)

10 - Joey, Joey, Joey

(Frank Loesser)

11 - Independent

(Betty Camden, Adolph Green, Julie Styne)

12 - Just In Time

(Betty Camden, Adolph Green, Julie Styne)

#1, #5, #8, #12

The Bud Shank–Bob Cooper Quintet:

Bud Shank (alto sax, flute), Bob Cooper (tenor sax, oboe),

Claude Williamson (piano), Don Prell (bass), Chuck Flores (drums).

Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California, February 18, 1958

#2, #9

The Chico Hamilton Quintet:

Fred Katz (cello), Paul Horn (tenor sax, alto sax, clarinet, flute),

John Pisano (guitar), Carson Smith (bass), Chico Hamilton (drums).

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California, August 12, 1957

#3, #6, #7, #11

The Stu Williamson Quartet:

Stu Williamson (trumpet), Russ Freeman (piano),

Monte Budwig (bass), Shelly Manne (drums).

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California, August 12, 1957

#4, #10

The Russ Freeman Trio:

Russ Freeman (piano), Monty Budwig (bass), Shelly Manne (drums).

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California, August 12, 1957