Requisites

The Young Bloods ~ Phil Woods and Donald Byrd | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s choice from the library brings together two of my favorite musicians for a quintet jam session, Phil Woods and Donald Byrd. The Young Bloods (Prestige LP 7080) is a 1957 release reuniting altoist Phil Woods, trumpeter Donald Byrd and bassist Teddy Kotick who appeared together on Jazz For The Carriage Trade a year earlier. Al Haig on piano and Charlie Persip on drums round out the ensemble. My copy is the 2022 Analogue Productions US Mono Audiophile reissue (Prestige PRLP 7080).

The opener, Dewey Square by Charlie Parker, takes off right out of the gate with Haig’s introduction segueing into the ensemble’s melody. The song takes its title from the Harlem hotel where Parker and other musicians resided during the forties. Donald leads off with a cooking opening solo; then, Al continues swinging in the second reading. Phil blows up a storm with a lengthy statement, succeeded by Charlie’s enthusiastic exchange with the front line ahead of the climax. Dupeltook, the first of four from Phil Woods, begins with a danceable theme by the ensemble. Woods is up first and manages the opening statement efficiently. Byrd grabs us by the ears with an inspired improvisation, then Haig hits a scintillating groove. Persip, Woods, and Byrd share a final conversation leading to the ending.

Once More, a relaxing blues by Woods opens with the front line moving in unison on the melody. Phil leads off with a marvelous opening reading. Donald delivers a pleasant presentation of sheer enjoyment; next, Al says some exciting things in his statement. Teddy walks a few bass lines toward the quintet’s theme reprise and climax. House of Chan is Woods’ dedication to his wife, Chan Parker, who initially was the common-law wife of Charlie Parker. The horns establish the medium theme together; Woods gets a good thing going in the opening statement. Byrd takes a few fine choruses in the second solo. Haig responds with a gorgeous bounce in the third reading, and Persip wraps it up in a brief exchange with Woods and Byrd preceding the group’s exit.

Phil’s final tune is In Walked George, named for pianist George Wallington. The front line sets the stage for the ensemble’s collective melody. Byrd takes the opening solo with a delightful interpretation, and woods follows with a statement as light as a fall breeze. Al puts the joyously cheerful exclamation point on the song ahead of the closing chorus and climax. Lover Man, by Jimmy Davis, Roger Ramirez, and James Sherman, receives a warm tribute by the quintet. Al opens the standard with a tender introduction segueing into a lovely melody and lead solo by Phil that takes your breath away. Donald expresses care and thoughtfulness in the second reading, followed by Al, who delivers a delicately graceful finale before the ensemble takes the song out softly.

Bob Weinstock supervised the initial recording of The Young Bloods, and Rudy Van Gelder was behind the dials. Kevin Gray mastered this audiophile reissue, and the sound quality is fantastic. The musicians emerge from your speakers with superb clarity. The record is 180 grams of audiophile vinyl that’s silent until the music starts, and the album jacket has a high gloss worthy of displaying on the wall. The Young Bloods is an excellent album that one can enjoy any time of the day or evening. If you’re looking for a great Hard-Bop album and are a fan of Phil Woods and Donald Byrd, The Young Bloods is a title you should seriously consider for a spot in your library!

~ Lover Man – Source: JazzStandards.com © 2023 by Edward Thomas Carter

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Larry Sonn was born in Woodmere on Long Island, New York on January 17, 1919. GraduatING from the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, he began his career with the Southern Symphony Orchestra in Columbia, South Carolina, as first trumpet, but later turned to the popular idioms of jazz and the big band sound.

He soon was playing trumpet and arranging for the top orchestras in the United States which included Glenn Miller, Teddy Powell, Bobby Byrne, Charlie Barnett, Hal McIntyre and Vincent Lopez.

A series of engagements in the early 1940’s took him to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and San Antonio, Texas.  An executive from the new Hotel Reforma in Mexico City heard him play and, impressed by his virtuosity, offered Larry an appearance at the hotel’s Ciro’s Night Club. The short-term contract lasted nine years and falling in love with Mexico, the country reciprocated.

Sonn returned to the States in the late-50’s and put together a new orchestra to play jazz and dance music. He gained national exposure on NBC’s Monitor with Al Jazzbo Collins commentating. When Mexico called again he went back and formed one of the foremost big bands in the country. He toured, did radio shows for XEW, Mexico’s largest station, and recorded for RCA Victor, CBS, Cisne, Peerless, Sonart and other labels.

Retiring from music in 1972 he relocated 40 miles south of Mexico City and opened a popular book store specializing in US editions for English-speaking residents and tourists. After several years he retired completely.

Trumpeter, arranger, composer, and bandleader Larry Sonn transitioned in 2015 at 95 in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.

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SCOTTY BARNHART

Unity Jazz Concert Series

Special Guest ~ Stillwell High School Jazz Ensemble

Hosted By ~ WCLK 91.9FM’s Riva Blue

Tickets: $35.00 in advance | $40.00 at door (NO CASH)

Tickets Available at Unity-Jazz.Eventbrite.com, UnityJazz.org or call 770-899-1991

Doors at 3:00pm

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Waymon Reed was born on January 10, 1940 in Fayetteville, North Carolina and attended the Eastman School of Music. He went on to play with trumpeter/saxophonist Ira Sullivan. Joining James Brown’s band from 1965 to 1969, he played on It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.

Reed worked with the big bands of Frank Foster and Thad Jones-Mel Lewis. He became a member of the Count Basie Orchestra in 1969, staying until 1973. He returned to play with Basie again in 1977–78.

He married Sarah Vaughan and worked with her from 1978–80, but shortly afterwards they divorced. He played on B.B. King’s album There Must Be A Better World Somewhere in 1981. In 1977, Reed recorded his one album as leader, 46th and 8th, featuring tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Keter Betts and drummer Bobby Durham.

Trumpeter Waymon Reed, who was principally a bebop soloist, transitioned from cancer on November 25, 1983 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Three Wishes

Mercer Ellington was queried as to his three wishes by Pannonica and he replied:

1. “Time.”
2. “Love.”
3. “And satisfaction in my work.”

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