Jam Session #3 - Norman Granz

Side Two

Jam Session #3
Supervised by Norman Granz
Clef Records MG C-4003
1954

From the back cover: Some time ago I began a new series on the Clef label entitled "Jam Session". In many ways, these albums were the corollaries to the Jazz at the Philharmonic albums in that both series are predicated on the use of great names improvising jazz together with no arrangements, written or otherwise. We have already released two of these albums with such artists as Oscar Peterson, Flip Phillips, Ben Webster, Charlie Shavers, Barney Kessel, and others. This album, Jam Session #3, along with #4, are the next two albums in the series.

I have always felt that the greatest rhythm piano player in the history of jazz is Count Basie. Basie has an almost magical feel for the right tempo, and since Basie is also a teacher as well as a piano player, his rhythm section has, therefore, become the greatest thing in jazz history. With a rhythm section consisting of Buddy Rich on drums, John Simmons on bass, guitarist Freddie Greene, and the master, Basie himself, at the piano and organ, we couldn't really go wrong on this date.

For horns, I selected Wardell Gray on tenor sax, who has played with various big bands, and at one time with the Count Basie small unit a few years back. For the other tenor saxophonist I used the great Stan Getz, who is destined to be recognized in the years to come as a real giant of his instrument. On clarinet, I selected Buddy De Franco, who is, without any equivocation whatsoever, the best clarinetist playing today. For trumpet, I used another ex-Basie alumnus, Harry Edison. Harry is easily one of the swingingest trumpeters extant today. On alto saxophones, I used the old master, Benny Carter, and a Jimmy Lunceford alumnus, Willie Smith.

You will hear in this album: Apple Jam and The Ballad Medley – Indian Summer, Willow Weep For Me, If I Had You, Ghost Of A Chance, Love Walked In, Body And Soul, Nancy, and I Hadn't Any One 'Til You. – Norman Granz