Personnel:
Jack Sheldon, Cappy Lewis (tp), Marty Paich (org), Jimmy Rowles (p), Joe Mondragon, Marty Corb (b), John Markham, Jack Sperling (d)
Reference: FSRCD 1073
Bar code: 8427328610735
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Fresh Sound Records presents:
Rare and Obscure Jazz Albums
A CD series created for the most discerning jazz collectors
· Hard to find albums in Collector's Edition
· 2 Original LPs on 1 CD
· Original Cover Art, Liner Notes
· Complete Personnel Details
· Stereo Recordings
· Newly Remastered in 24-Bit
A Jazz Profile of Ray Charles
Jack Sheldon (1931-2019) belonged to that school of trumpet players whose expressive, full, and cool tone was their trademark and prized possession. He originally became known for his involvement in the West Coast Jazz movement of the 1950s, playing and recording with such artists as Jimmy Giuffre, Art Pepper, Curtis Counce, Dave Pell, and Stan Kenton. For years, he was one of the busiest session musicians with big bands led by Quincy Jones, Marty Paich, Johnny Mandel and Henry Mancini. His trumpet performances had also attracted demand from the film industry. This album, 'A Jazz Profile of Ray Charles,' perfectly showcases Jack’s trumpet propulsion playing imaginative and tasteful solos accompanied by Marty Paich on organ, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Johnny Markham on drums. “Jack is playing compositions that, thanks to you,” said Ray Charles, “are closely associated with me, but with the warm and personal interpretation of Jack Sheldon.” Qualities, which fully highlight the essentially lyrical nature of these songs.
Get Happy with Cappy
This album is a unique and exciting collection of performance skills from the great trumpeter Carroll “Cappy” Lewis (1917-1992). A veteran of the swing era, Lewis’ playing will conjure up some happy memories for jazz fans who remember his many solo endeavors with Woody Herman and Tommy Dorsey’s bands. Then after a couple of short stints with other name bands, Lewis settled in Hollywood in 1948, where he devoted himself entirely to working in the studio’s main brass sections. In 1960, thanks to David Axelrod, then a producer for the Hi-Fi Jazz Records label, Cappy’s full throated trumpet could finally be heard in a small group context, in which he exhibits his buoyancy and refreshing style over an impeccable rhythm section enhanced by the subtle and always swinging pianist Jimmy Rowles. On this, his only album as a leader, Cappy blows both hot and cool, applying an engaging trumpet approach to a set of oldies and newer songs, that serve as a nearly perfect showcase of his talent.
"With the demise of the Swing Era, and bebop flaming out, jazz artists were looking for ways of putting bread on the table. Alumni from bands like Woody Herman or Stan Kenton that were tired of endless touring took to the studios. On the West Coast TV was the way to play and make a living, with NYC featuring movies and Broadway. Here are two albums on a sole CD that show how the heart of jazz could still beat.
From the Hollywood studios, California Cool was the name of the game, with Chet Baker-inspired trumpeter Jack Sheldon taking on Ray Charles’ songbook in ‘61 with Marty Paich/org, Joe Mondragon/b and John Markham/dr. Sheldon is spot on here, sweet on “Basin Street Blues” and having a hoot of a time on “One Mint Julep”. At one time Sheldon was the darling of the West Coasters, and you can see why here as he is confidently bright on “Cherry” and lyrical on “Georgia On My Mind”. Similar sounding Cappy Lewis plays trumpet with the always reliable Jimmy Rowles/p, Morty Corb/b and Jack Sperling/dr on a 1960 session that leans towards more traditional and earliy swing. The team is feverish on ”Runnin’ Wild” and “Undecided” and quite melodic on the cutesy “C’est Si Bon” and “Umbrella Man”."
—George W. Harris (March 16, 2023)
https://www.jazzweekly.com
