The Modernity Of Bob Brookmeyer

 

Jasmin

The Modernity Of Bob Brookmeyer

Cover Photo by Phil Stern

Cliff Records MGC 732

1956

Bob Brookmeyer - Valve Trombone

Jimmy Rowles - Piano

Buddy Clark - Bass

Mel Lewis - Drums

From the back cover: Modernity is a word that can be debated by the house, especially in the field of jazz. But suffice to say, the modernity of Bob Brookmeyer embraces a firm respect of what is not necessarily so modern. Brookmeyer, in short, hers a wide range of jazz expression. In any even't he is recognized bth by the critics and by his fellow musicians as the very best valve trombonist on today's jazz scene. If variety of experience leads to quality – and in Brookmeyer's case this would appear to be eminently true – they young Brookmeyer (he was born in 1929) gas had many advantages along these lines. A conservatory-trained musician to begin with – he studied piano at Kansas City Conservatory – Brookmeryer has played with groups led by the following: Tex Benecke, Ray McKinley, Louis Prima, Claude Thornhill, Woody Herman, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz. Brookmeyer, as is evident, has touched many bases and, in a sense, has experienced almost every school of jazz and popular music. Through all of this his own individuality has emerged strongly both as a musicians and as an arranger and compiler of jazz compositions. In this album are showcased three examples of the Brookmeyer composing ability – in Jasmin, The Bulldog Blues and Sticks And Stems. On Bulldog Blues, if you listen closely, you can hear Bob inform his fellow musicians to take it from the top and continue playing – which is why this composition is an extended one. The other tunes are all first-class standards, none of which have been utilized to strenuously for jazz improvisations.

You Took Advantage Of Me

There Will Never Be Another You 

What Is There To Say

He Ain't Got Rhythm 

Jasmin

The Bulldog Blues

Sticks And Stems