BillF

Have now bought the OJC Farmer Quartet with Gryce and, I agree, it has the edge on When Farmer Met Gryce, partly due to the very swinging presence of Philly Joe Jones , who by this time (late 1955) was truly on form and with the classic Miles Davis Quintet. Thanks for the recommendation.

Ornette Coleman, This Is Our Music (London/Atlantic)

Ornette Coleman, Change of the Century (London/Atlantic)

My daughter gave me for Christmas a calendar called Covering Jazz: Twelve Classic Album Covers. I'm looking forward to turning over tomorrow to Eric Dolphy in Europe, Vol 2.

For recorded jazz: c.1945-1965; i.e. from the outset of bop recording to the end of the "jazz boom".

Ornette Coleman, The Shape of Jazz to Come (Atlantic)

Yes, he was very good when I saw him some years ago with the Carla Bley Orchestra.

Jimmy Yancey (His Master's Voice EP)

Jimmy Yancey (RCA Victor/Jazz de Poche EP)

Is this one a Mosaic Basie Clef ripoff? Dunno.

Jimmy Yancey, Piano Solos (Vogue 10")

I only had a sample track on some Xanadu anthology, but these were my thoughts exactly! Looks like the majority verdict is "Don't buy"!

Meade Lux Lewis, Tell Your Story (Oldie Blues)

Count Basie, Dance Sessions (Jasmine) A 44 track, 2 CD recent UK re-issue of classic Basie material from 1952-54.

Complete Library of Congress Boogie Woogie Recordings of Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson & Meade Lux Lewis (Jazz Piano)

Thanks for the tip, John. £26.85 is a lotta money!

The Terry Gibbs Dream Band, Flying Home (Contemporary)

The Terry Gibbs Dream Band, Vol 2: The Sundown Sessions (Conntemporary)

The Terry Gibbs Dream Band (Contemporary)

Looks very tasty! Unfortunately, amazon uk wants £26.85 for a used copy!

Time to repeat the well-known Al Cohn story? Al mentioned at Charlie's Tavern one day that he'd just finished an album with 24 mandolin players. Someone asked, "Where did they find that many mandolin players?" "Well," said Al, "all day today you couldn't get a haircut in Jersey City."

Time someone replied to this post! Listening today to Pepper Adams' The Critics' Choice (available since 2005 on EMI Mighty Quinn CD), I was struck by the confident, distinctive soloing of Lee Katzman on the three tracks on which he appears. As Ted Panaken, the 2005 sleeve note writer, says:"Katzman's declarative , witty solo[ing], unencumbered by technical limitation, makes you wonder why he didn't become a bigger name on his instrument." I wonder why, too! A quick survey of my record collection found him on two discs only - Stan Kenton's Back to Balboa and the Terry Gibbs Dream Band's One More Time, where I initially mistook his solos for Conte Candoli's! I hope he's still with us; Ted Panaken refers to him as "the date's last survivor". He would appear to be the classic underrated jazz musician. Anyone know any more about him?

Relaxin' with the Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige)

Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige)

Steamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige)