Uncredited electric piano on 1962 Herbie Mann album

[Daniel A]

I recently got a recent Japanese reissue of Herbie Mann's 'Brazil, Bossa Nova & Blues' (originally on United Artists). On the first track there is an electric piano present, which I find unusual on this kind of album since it was recorded in "1961-1962" according to the booklet.

Here's a link to the particular track:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nizmDRweh7o

No keybordist is credited and I can't find info on the internet. Anyone who knows more?

Edited September 6, 2013 by Daniel A

[brownie]

This is the discography provided by FreshSound when they reissued these Brazilian sessions

http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/do_the_bossa_nova_with_herbie_mann_-_complete_brazilian_sessions-cd-5801.html

[Daniel A]

Thanks for the link, Brownie. However, the track 'Brazil' was not present on the Fresh Sound release.

[jazzbo]

Possibly Haygood Hardy?

[Daniel A]

Possibly Haygood Hardy?

That would perhaps be the best bet. What's remarkable is that I can't even recall such an early recording of a electric piano that sounds like a Fender Rhodes. Were they (Rhodes pianos) even manufactured by 1961?

[jazzbo]

Possibly Haygood Hardy?

That would perhaps be the best bet. What's remarkable is that I can't even recall such an early recording of a electric piano that sounds like a Fender Rhodes. Were they (Rhodes pianos) even manufactured by 1961?

Yes.

From wikipedia:

1946-1965: Harold Rhodes subsequently founded The Rhodes Piano Corporation and introduced the Pre-Piano at NAMM 1946.^[6] In 1959, Rhodes entered a joint venture with Leo Fender to manufacture the instruments under a company named Fender & Rhodes. The partnership lasted for six years with the model marketed as the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, a 32-note version with only the low range of the piano, accounting for the bulk of the sales. The Fender Rhodes Celeste was a similar keyboard covering the midrange of the piano, and electric pianos with tube amplifiers were prototyped at the time. The Piano 73 would become known as the Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, with an amplifier cabinet used as a base for supporting the piano keyboard.^[5]

^{I agree thought that it's unusual to hear one on recodigns of this vintage. Usually I hear Wurlitzer sounds on those.}

Edited September 6, 2013 by jazzbo

[JSngry]

That could easily be a Wurlitzer.

[jazzbo]

I'll have to try and listen again, been a while since I listened to this (really good) Japanese cd. Good possibility it is a Wurlitzer. I had one of those, the only musical instrument I've ever had stolen (but it was an inside job by a roommate on his way out and I didn't have it very secure from house members). Miss it. When you really pounded on that sucker it rang out!

[mikeweil]

The above album was made for United Artists, not Atlantic, and thus not covered by the Fresh Sound release Brownie linked. This is the link to the respective Fresh Sound reissue.

Hagood Hardy was credited for playing electric piano on Mann's Right Now LP for Atlantic, so I guess it should be him.

[sgcim]

While we're on the topic of Herbie Mann's sidemen, I once saw a Live album he did with Joe Puma on guitar in a record store.

In the liner notes, which Herbie wrote, he wonders whatever became of Puma.

Does anyone have any idea which LP this was?

[Jim R]

I recently got a recent Japanese reissue of Herbie Mann's 'Brazil, Bossa Nova & Blues' (originally on United Artists). On the first track there is an electric piano present, which I find unusual on this kind of album since it was recorded in "1961-1962" according to the booklet.

Here's a link to the particular track:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nizmDRweh7o

I'm not sure why I never bought this album. I recognize the cover, so I couldn't have missed it altogether. Maybe I thought I had enough Herbie Mann from that period (I have about a half dozen of his Atlantic sides, plus a Prestige and a Savoy), or maybe I was just putting off purchasing this one, but I'm about to remedy this situation- especially after listening to that youtube track. Thanks for mentioning it.

[Daniel A]

I've listened again and agree with your assessment that it is a Wurlitzer. Somehow, my first impression was that it was a Fender Rhodes through a distorted amplifier. I wonder why didn't more players try to use an electric piano in a straight jazz setting in the beginning of the 60s. Or did they, but went unrecorded?

I'm not sure why I never bought this album. I recognize the cover, so I couldn't have missed it altogether. Maybe I thought I had enough Herbie Mann from that period (I have about a half dozen of his Atlantic sides, plus a Prestige and a Savoy), or maybe I was just putting off purchasing this one, but I'm about to remedy this situation- especially after listening to that youtube track. Thanks for mentioning it.

That particular track isn't entirely representative of the album as a whole. I would describe the other tracks as alternately sombre, gently swinging and occasionally mystical. A very enjoyable album!

Edited September 7, 2013 by Daniel A

[Jim R]

Thanks Daniel. I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of it.