Jack Millman

[Late]

Here's a trumpet player I'd never even heard about until last week when I picked up this disc:

A tasty West Coast session of the day (1955), somewhat along the lines of work by Jack Montrose (who plays and arranges on this disc) or Dave Pell. If you like either of those two arrangers' work, you'll probably want to search out this disc. No amazing fireworks, but some very fun writing and playing, with sort of an all-star cast of musicians playing in California at the time.

Millman is a solid improviser and writer, in the Baker/Sheldon mold. What's interesting about this session is that he's listed on flugelhorn more than trumpet — and if that's a flugelhorn I'm hearing, well, it's the most trumpet-sounding flugelhorn I've ever heard.

If you look at the bottom right picture (though very tiny) from the cover above, you'll see that behind the saxophonist, Millman's playing a trumpet that has the mouthpiece lined up below the valves. Here's a larger picture (-- I hate colorized photos):

This can't be a "flugelhorn," can it? What kind of trumpet is this?

And ... does anyone have any other Millman records? Apparently he recorded an album for Liberty ... which Blue Note/EMI would have rights to.

[brownie]

The Millman photo on the cover of the 'Four More' album is the one which is on the cover of the 'Jazz Studio 4' album that was recorded for Decca in 1955. Very enjoyable West Coast LP.

The tunes are:

side 1.

Groove Juice

Pink Lady

Too Much

Ballade for Jeanie

The Turk

When You're Near

side 2.

Tom and Jerry

So Goes My Love

Bolero de Mendez

Just a Pretty Tune

Cathy Goes South

Bambi

Musicians playing on those sessions include Herb Geller, Jimmy Giuffre, Jack Montrose, Bob Gordon, Curtis Counce, Ralph Pena, Chico Hamilton, Lin Halliday, Don Friedman.

I'm pretty sure some of the Jazz Studio 4 are on that All Stars CD.

I have another Millman LP, a Fresh Sounds reissue of the'Shades of Things to Come' that Millman made for Liberty. Buddy Collette, Jimmy Giuffre, Bob Harrington,Harry Babasin, Larry Bunker and Frankie Capp are with Millman on that one. I have not played it in a long time...

[sidewinder]

I've got the Liberty LP of Millman's 'Shades of Things To Come'. A good excuse to dig it out again - very typical West Coast fare of the time. He's listed as being on flugelhorn on this disk..

[Adam]

My mother was friends with Millman in the LA jazz scene in the 50s. She has a couple of albums autographed by him, and she's told me how she and her sister would see him quite a bit, and he was always very nice.

[sidewinder]

- Time to search out 'Jazz Studio 4'. Not heard this one.

[Late]

Looks like the And His All-Stars disc is a compilation of tracks from a variety of Millman sessions. It comes off as an integrated album nevertheless.

Any takers on what kind of trumpet Millman plays?

[JSngry]

I dunno, man. That's one weirdass lookin' axe.

[Late]

The upside-down trumpet?

[garthsj]

- Time to search out 'Jazz Studio 4'. Not heard this one.

It has been an item of considerable mystery as to why Decca have never reissued the entire seven volume series of "Jazz Studio" albums. There was some great music there .. two by John Graas, and others by Ralph Burns, David Amram and George Barrow, Joe Newman, and an excellent group of small group jazz combos. I have often thought that they would make an excellent Mosaic Box Set on 4 CDs.

[brownie]

- Time to search out 'Jazz Studio 4'. Not heard this one.

It has been an item of considerable mystery as to why Decca have never reissued the entire seven volume series of "Jazz Studio" albums. There was some great music there .. two by John Graas, and others by Ralph Burns, David Amram and George Barrow, Joe Newman, and an excellent group of small group jazz combos. I have often thought that they would make an excellent Mosaic Box Set on 4 CDs.

I know Jazz Studio 1 thru 6. Can't recall a Jazz Studio 7. What was that?

[Late]

There was some great music there .. two by John Graas, and others by Ralph Burns, David Amram and George Barrow, Joe Newman, and an excellent group of small group jazz combos. I have often thought that they would make an excellent Mosaic Box Set on 4 CDs.

Wow, that would be a very interesting Mosaic. I wonder if the idea has ever crossed Cuscuna's mind. Even a Mosaic Select, if we're talking only 4 discs, would be great.

Tell us more, Garth and Guy. I know all those musicians except David Amram. And ... George Barrow led one of these sessions? On tenor? I only know Barrow through sideman work. Have any of these sessions, outside of the Millman, been reissued on disc? (By Fresh Sounds, I'm guessing?)

It never ceases to amaze me that there's always some hidden nook in the jazz world to explore.

[garthsj]

- Time to search out 'Jazz Studio 4'. Not heard this one.

It has been an item of considerable mystery as to why Decca have never reissued the entire seven volume series of "Jazz Studio" albums. There was some great music there .. two by John Graas, and others by Ralph Burns, David Amram and George Barrow, Joe Newman, and an excellent group of small group jazz combos. I have often thought that they would make an excellent Mosaic Box Set on 4 CDs.

I know Jazz Studio 1 thru 6. Can't recall a Jazz Studio 7. What was that?

Brownie .... I used to have them all ... in my late, lamented LP collection.. Ah Well! can't cry over spilt milk ....

I could have sworn there were seven, but, you are right, I can only think of six now ... like the missing dwarf no one can remember....

Let's list them:

1. DL8058. Joe Newman, Benie Green, Frank Foster, Paul Quinichette, Hank Jones, "Sir Jonathan Gasser" (guitar), Edie Jones, Kenny Clarke.

2. DL8079. John Graas, Don Fagerquist, Milt Bernhart, Herb Geller, Jimmy Giuffre, Marty Paich, Howard Roberts, Curtis Counce, Larry Bumker.

3. DL8014. Group 1: John Graas, Don Fagerquist, Gerry Mulligan, Marty Paich, Howard Roberts, Red Michell, Larry Bunker. Group 2: Conte Candoli, John Graas, Charlie Mariano, Zoot Sims, Jimmy Giuffre, Andre Previn, Howard Roberts, Curtis Counce, Larry Bunker.

4. DL8156. The Jack Millman record discussed here

5. DL8235. Ralph Burns, Joe Newman, Billy Byers, Jim Buffington, Bill Barber, Dave Schildkraut, Herbie Mann, Danny Bank, Milt Hinton, Osie Johnson.

6. DL8558. Dave Amram. George Barrow, Arthur Phipps (B), Al Harewood (dr). {This is a great album!).

7. ??????

I might have confused in my aging memory one of the Decca "Jazz Lab" albums... now THAT is a whole new ball of wax ... there were several series of albums issued under that rubric ... wanna go there?

[JohnS]

I've got the Liberty LP of Millman's 'Shades of Things To Come'. A good excuse to dig it out again - very typical West Coast fare of the time. He's listed as being on flugelhorn on this disk..

Good idea Bob, it's about time Jack got dusted off.

[brownie]

There was some great music there .. two by John Graas, and others by Ralph Burns, David Amram and George Barrow, Joe Newman, and an excellent group of small group jazz combos. I have often thought that they would make an excellent Mosaic Box Set on 4 CDs.

Wow, that would be a very interesting Mosaic. I wonder if the idea has ever crossed Cuscuna's mind. Even a Mosaic Select, if we're talking only 4 discs, would be great.

Tell us more, Garth and Guy. I know all those musicians except David Amram. And ... George Barrow led one of these sessions? On tenor? I only know Barrow through sideman work. Have any of these sessions, outside of the Millman, been reissued on disc? (By Fresh Sounds, I'm guessing?)

Jazz Studio 1 and 2 were reissued on LPs years ago by Jasmine. Don't think the other ones have been reissued. I had a lot of trouble getting good copies of Jazz Studio 3, 4 and 5. Never got the 6th one although I saw the album when I was searching for vinyls. Now that Garth mentions how good it is, I'm sorry I skipped that one.

Jazz Studio 1 is an excellent jam session with a solid lineup. That was my introduction to the brilliant trombone playing of Bennie Green. And Sir Gasser (Johnny Smith) was another revelation.

Jazz Studio 2 was a West Coast followup to the East Coast gathering on JS1. Superb solos from Don Fagerquist and Herb Geller among others plus interesting arrangements by John Graas and Marty Paich.

I also enjoyed JS3 which featured the compositions of John Graas. With the soloists available for that date, this was another remarkable date.

JS4 Millman you seem to have.

Jazz Studio 6 (Ralph Burns) is also excellent. Will be a pleasure to relisten to this. I remember a beautiful composition by Burns 'Nocturne' with a very worthy clarinet solo by Dave Schildkraut.

Speaking of Burns, there is a superb album recorded for Decca at around the same time 'Very Warm For Jazz' which took me years to find but was really worth the wait! Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland, Eddie Costa and others were on that one.

Garth, your 'aging' memory seems to be doing fine. However could not trace any Jazz Studio 7. A reissue of the whole series would be very welcome, indeed.

[JSngry]

I sent a copu of that photo to my partner Ira Bassett, who's seen a fair share of "odd" brass instruments and accessories (showed him the Eldridge Mosaic cover and he immediately knew what the deal was)m and he was stumped.

I've seen rotary-valve flugels that are kinds sideways, but nothing like this. Maybe it was custom-made?

[garthsj]

Jazz Studio 6 (Ralph Burns) is also excellent. Will be a pleasure to relisten to this. I remember a beautiful composition by Burns 'Nocturne' with a very worthy clarinet solo by Dave Schildkraut.

Speaking of Burns, there is a superb album recorded for Decca at around the same time 'Very Warm For Jazz' which took me years to find but was really worth the wait! Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland, Eddie Costa and others were on that one.

Garth, your 'aging' memory seems to be doing fine. However could not trace any Jazz Studio 7. A reissue of the whole series would be very welcome, indeed.

Edited April 23, 2004 by garthsj

[JSngry]

Did Nelson Riddle contribute to one of the John Grass dates?

[garthsj]

As I am still relatively new here, I am never sure when to start a new thread as we inevitably move away from the original topic.

Re: DAVID AMRAM ..... A rather amazing musician, who has operated around the fringes of jazz since he was a teenage prodigy. He basically plays French Horn, but he also plays an amazing variety of esoteric instruments. He could be called one of the true pioneers of "world music" ... Here is my feeble attempt to scan his impressive history from the Encyclopedia of Jazz, and the weird abbreviations that is used on that volume. I have met him twice, and he really is a fascinating individual .... I hope that you can read this ....

AMRAM, DAVID WERNER III, Fr tim, pno, variuos flu, shenai, dumbek, cga, perc, gtr, comp. arr; b. Philadeiphia, PA, 11/17/30. Cousin of cond. Otto Klemperer. Introd. to jazz by fath. and uncles, world mus. by uncle who was merchant seaman. Began on bugle. Stud. tpt., pno. at Curtis Inst. of Mus.; pl. Fr. horn fr. age 14. In Wash., D.C., fr. 1943. Pl. tpt. w. Isis Brown ‘43; Fr. horn w. Dick Leith ‘46; Buddy Rowell-Ed Diamond Latin Band 5-52. National Symphony, own sextet with Spencer Sinatra 51-2. In army

in Eur. ‘5~-s. P1. in Germ. w. Julia Hipp, Albert Man-gelsdorff ‘53—55; in Paris w. Henri Renaud, Stephane Grappelli Sadi, Lionel Hampton ‘55. Moved to NYC '55. Pl. w Sahib Shihab—Kenny Burrell '55-6; own qt. w. Geo. Barrow ‘55—7 i; Charles Mingus ‘56; Oscar Pettiford orch. ‘56—8; Pepper Adams—Jerry Dodgion ‘57; Kenny Dorham ‘59. P1. concerts w. Dizzy Gillespie ft. ‘57. Began comp. for TV, films, and theater in late ‘50s. Scored films The Young Savages, Splendor in the Grass ‘6o; The Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days in May ‘63. Mus. dir, of Lin-coin Ctr. Repertory Theater ‘63—5; also comp. for NY Shakespeare Fest., B ‘way shows. First opera, The Final ingredient, premiered on network TV ‘65. Composer~in-residence w. NY Philharm. ‘66-7. Pl. w. Freddie Redd ‘66; Mingus, Jeremy Steig ‘68; own qt. w. Pepper Adams ‘70. Beginning in the mid ‘60s~ often app. w. major orchs. as a guest cond., then led a jazz gp. for the second half of the program. Premiered Triple Concerto ‘70; p1. w. Mary Lou Williams in her Mass ‘7i; own qt. w. Paquito D’Rivera ‘85; Pepper Adams—Jerry Dodgion ‘88. Has perf. at folk mus. fests and led wkshps. at colls., hs, and parks all over the world fr. the early ‘70s. Autobiography Vibrations (Viking) ‘68. Other major works incl. concerti for bassoon, horn, and vln., pieces based on Native Amer. themes, and an operatic treatment of Shake-speare’s Twelfth Night. A master of many non-Eur. instruments and a pioneer in the field of world mus., he was awarded an honorary doctorate fr. U. of Hart-ford ‘88. Favs: Fr. horn: Julius Watkins; pno: T. Monk, T. Flanagan; arr: Gil Evans, B. Strayhom. Fests: all major Film: Pull My Daisy. TV: The Final ingredient, ABC-TV ‘6~. Li’s: RCA; Col., md. The Young Savages soundtrack; Dec. CDs: FF; New Chamber Music; w. Kenny Dorham (Riv.); 0. Petti-ford (Imp.); The Manchurian Candidate soundtrack (Premier).

GARTH.

Edited April 23, 2004 by garthsj

[brownie]

Did Nelson Riddle contribute to one of the John Grass dates?

Nelson Riddle composed and arranged 'Pyramid' and 'Habanera' for the John Graas album 'French Horn Jazz' on Kapp. I have the Fresh Sounds LP reissue of this.

[brownie]

Garth, I have kept all my vinyls. They've invaded my music room and have complained of lacking space I have stopped buying them. But I enjoy playing them.

I am now spinning Jazz Studio 5 (the Ralph Burns one) and enjoying it immensely. Fine solos by Joe Newman, Billy Byers, Dave Schildrkaut. Schildkraut was way underrecorded.

Burns devised an unusual duet for Herbie Mann on piccolo and Bill Barber on tuba for 'Royal Garden Blues'. It works and swings. Love this album!

[Late]

Damn, you've got me jones-ing to hear these! I wonder when Universal will get around to reissuing these "Jazz Studio" dates. Ah, probably 2005.

Yeah, that's right, just around the corner, a handful of months.

(At least, in consolation, I can play the few RCA Joe Newman albums I have! )

[Late]

As I am still relatively new here, I am never sure when to start a new thread as we inevitably move away from the original topic.

General rule of thumb: keep the current thread going! What the heck if it takes lots of wild turns and U-turns (even though I sometimes do feel like I'm derailing another poster's thread).

But, after all, keep in mind — when considering posting a new topic — those two words: Comical Rodent. How did it achieve its colossal stature on this very board? Just imagine ( ) if the lowly "Jack Millman" thread were to build up to the skyscraper proportions that are Brötzmann and Hanno — all the while discussing obscure West Coast stuff!

Only 1,783 more posts more to go in this thread! C'mon fellas!

Edited April 23, 2004 by Late

[Late]

I wonder when Universal will get around to reissuing these "Jazz Studio" dates. Ah, probably 2005.

Whoa, didn't even have to wait that long!

Some good reading in this thread, thanks to Garth and Guy.

[J.A.W.]

I wonder when Universal will get around to reissuing these "Jazz Studio" dates. Ah, probably 2005.

Whoa, didn't even have to wait that long!

Some good reading in this thread, thanks to Garth and Guy.

More "Jazz Studio" details in this thread. The Japanese reissues are listed here.

Edited October 8, 2004 by J.A.W.

[Late]

Jack lives.