Mel Lewis Septet & Sextet (2 LP on 1 CD)
  • Jazz Records JR-2
    Jazz Records JR-2
  • Mode LP 103
    Mode LP 103
  • Mel “The Tailor” Lewis
    Mel “The Tailor” Lewis

Mel Lewis

Mel Lewis Septet & Sextet (2 LP on 1 CD)

Fresh Sound Records

Personnel:
Mel Lewis (d), Ed Leddy, Jack Sheldon (tp), Charlie Mariano (as), Richie Kamuca, Jerry Coker, Bill Holman (ts), Pepper Adams (bs), Johnny Marabuto, Marty Paich (p), Dean Reilly, Buddy Clark (b), Lennie Niehaus, Bill Perkins (arr)

Reference: FSRCD 895

Bar code: 8427328608954

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Buffalo-born Mel “The Tailor” Lewis (1929-1990), one of the finest and most consistently exciting jazz drummers, first came to prominence during his 1954-56 tenure with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Lewis’s consummate taste, precision and unobtrusive warmth are clear from his first albums as leader, made on the West Coast in 1956 and 1957.

On “Got ‘Cha”, he fronts a septet which featured quality soloists in saxophonists Richie Kamuca, Jerry Coker and Pepper Adams—Mel’s buddy from the Kenton band—and used talented arrangers in Lennie Niehaus, Bill Perkins and, drawn from the septet, Coker, Adams and the group’s very capable pianist, Johnny Marabuto. The results are the epitome of relaxed swing and drive, and benefit from the firm hand of Kenton’s lead trumpet Ed Leddy, who solos with control and taste.

The second, “Sextet”, also features outstanding individualists in trumpeter Jack Sheldon, altoist Charlie Mariano and tenorist Bill Holman, with pianist Marty Paich and bassist Buddy Clark completing a sparkling rhythm section. With such a powerful lineup of solo talent, the music is timeless, fresh and stimulating. Voted New Star in the 1962 Down Beat International Critics Poll, he was also perfectly summed up by fellow drummer, Shelly Manne; “Mel’s main purpose is to move the group, he’s a real group player.” Mel Lewis is now best remembered for his big band work, particularly the famed Thad Jones-Mel Lewis orchestra, but as these small group sessions show,
he was a master regardless of context.



01. In a Mellotone (Duke Ellington) 8:06
02. Leave Your Worries Behind (Lennie Niehaus) 4:14
03. A Winter’s Tale (Pepper Adams) 8:33
04. Sir Richard Face (Bill Perkins) 4:57
05. One for Pat (Lennie Niehaus) 3:52
06. ‘Enry ‘Iggins ‘Ead (Jerry Coker) 8:18
07. El Cerrito (Johnny Marauto) 6:05
08. Brookside (Bob Brookmeyer) 4:16
09. You Took Advantage of Me (Rodgers-Hart) 5:09
10. Zig-Zag (Bob Brookmeyer) 4:56
11. Jazz Goes to Siwash (Bill Holman) 4:08
12. Charlie’s Cavern (Jack Sheldon) 5:14
13. Grey Flannel (Marty Paich) 6:23

Album details

Sources:
Tracks #1-7, from the album “Got ‘Cha” (San Francisco, Jazz Records JR-2)
Tracks #8-13, from the album “Mel Lewis Sextet” (Mode LP 103)

Personnel on MEL LEWIS Septet (Got ‘Cha)
Ed Leddy, trumpet; Richie Kamuca, Jerry Coker, tenor saxes; Pepper Adams, baritone sax; Johnny Marabuto, piano; Dean Reilly, bass Mel Lewis, drums.
Arrangements: Lennie Niehaus (#2,5), Bill Perkins (#1,4), Jerry Coker (#6) Pepper Adams (#3), Johnny Marabuto (#7)
Recorded at Sands Ballroom, Oakland, CA, November 19 (#1,2,5) and 20 (#3,4,6,7), 1956

Personnel on MEL LEWIS Sextet
Jack Sheldon, trumpet; Charlie Mariano, alto sax; Bill Holman, tenor sax; Marty Paich, piano; Buddy Clark, bass; Mel Lewis, drums.
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, June 5 and 6, 1957

Original Got 'Cha cover design: Design: Gary Labby
Mel Lewis portrait: Eva Diana
Liner notes: Pat Henry (Jazz Records), Joe Quinn (Mode)
Photos © Fresh Sound Archives

Original recordings produced by Pat Henry and Alan Levitt (#1-7), and Red Clyde (#8-13)
Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol

Hi-Fi / Mono · 24 Bit Digitally Remastered
Blue Moon Producciones Discograficas S.L.

Press reviews

"Before becoming known for leading a world famous jazz orchestra with Thad Jones, drummer Mel Lewis had an impressive career with Stan Kenton and even lead a few groups of his own. This single disc has two very impressive small group recordings lead by the drummer from the mid 50s.

The Septet from 1956 includes the West Coast team of Ed Leddy /tp,Richie Kamuca-Jerry Coker/ts, Pepper Adams/bs, Johnny Marabuto/p and Dean Reilly/b and with some nifty arrangements by Lennie Niehaus along with the rest of the team. During this Oakland gig, the sax-rich team deliciously swings on “In A Mellotone” and “’Enry “iggins ‘Ead” with Kamuca’s Stan Getz-inspired sound working wonders throughout. Lewis is a master of taste here, and also on the 1957 Sextet session. Here, Hollywood studio studs Jack Sheldon/tp, Charlie Mariano/as, Bill Holman/ts, Marty  Paich/p and  Buddy Clark/b join with the snappy leader for a vintage West Coast Cool breeze on “You Took Advantage of Me” and a fun ride on the roller coaster at The Pike on ”Zig-Zag.” The music seamlessly swings, and anything with the underrecorded Mariano is essential, as his warm horn bops with delight. Gonna like this one!"

George W. Harris (August 8, 2016)
http://www.jazzweekly.com/

Price:

9,95 €  (tax incl.)

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Customer reviews

03/03/2023

Swinging

This is among the most colorful of Mel's groups, combining the mellow and sultry sounds with up-tempo swinging solos among accomplished sidemen.

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Mel Lewis Septet & Sextet (2 LP on 1 CD)
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