The Australian Jazz Quartet

 

Little Girl Blue

The Australian Jazz Quartet

Design and Art Direction: Paula Bisacca

All starred tunes recorded January, 1956; others recorded February, 1954; all made in New York City

Bethlehem BCP-6002

1976

Dick Healy - Flute Alto, Clarinet, Bass

Errol Buddle - Tenor, Bassoon

Bryce Rohde - Piano

Jack Brokensha - Vibes, Drums

Jimmy Gannon - Bass (Quintet)

Also heard in this recording: Nick Stabulas - Drums and John Fawcett - Bass

From the back cover (from the original liner notes): By now the Australian Jazz Quartet (expanded to a regular Quintet with the addition of Jimmy Gannon on bass) is a known commodity to jazz fans the world over.

Their success would seem to be a combination of these factors amongst others: the versatility they demonstrate in playing many instruments, and the great variety of moods and sounds that gives them; they can play "swinging" jazz; they work as a unit, and, individually every man of the group can hold his own as a jazz-man with something original to say. By now the novelty of the fact that a good part of the group is from Australia has worn off. But after the surprise wears off we have the music left; with the A.J.Q. this is quite enough.

A Foggy Day: This is one of those George & Ira Gershwin standards that leads a double life; one as a moody ballad and the other as an up-tempo vehicle for improvising. The quartet treats it here in the latter fashion. Bryce Rohde's cleanly styled piano happily dances its way through the familiar melody, while Errol Buddle's bassoon is occasionally heard as astring, organ-like bass voice. The versatile Dick Healey and Jack Borkensha are respectively heard on bass and rums.

Broadway: The Quintet is here heard in a straight-forward, mainstream-of-jazz mood. Healey on alto and Buddle on tenor effectively state the theme and go on for solos in that same order; Bryce Rohde is heard from and then alto and tenor exchange fours; Jimmy Gannon takes the release on bass and then "out" with the last part of the theme.

Little Girl Blue: The Rodgers and Hart tune that once-upon-a-time nobody knew is here given a rich and varied going over by the A.J.Q. Here, Little Girl Blue leads a double life in front of our very eyes; first as a leisurely melody and then a short finger snappin' interlude. The different sound of the chorus is here well demonstrated in the flute work for Healey, and Buddle's bassoon; their blend in unison work, the groups' fine choruses and the clever arrangement make this track a fine sample of the A.J.Q.'s work. Bass is by John Fawcett.

September Song: The poignancy of Walter Houston's famous version of the Kurt Weill melody is somehow brought to mind in this exquisite slo version by Jack Brokensha. His effective accompaniment is Jimmy Gannon's bass and Bryce Rohde's piano.

Loose Walk: This A.J.Q. arrangement features free and extended blowing on flute and bassoon by Healey and Buddle; definitely for foot tapping, finger snapping, shoulder shaking and head rocking (all at once if you like). Brokensha, Ford and Fawcett contribute to the merriment.

The Girl With The Flaxen Hair: Jack Brokensha's vibraphone is here to be heard in a free adaptation of one of Clyde Debussy's most popular piano pieces. Pleasant though not exactly jazz.

You Are Too Beautiful: A colorfully arranged vehicle with effective use of Brokensha's vibes as a voice along with the flute and bassoon. Note the way the music stops and starts in terms of the rhythm section playing a continuous jazz beat; there is always a pulse, yet it's stated in subtle ways or just implied; also note the changes in  tempo. Such devices while not "wailing jazz" tend to give a flavor of verity to the work of the A.J.Q. Bass is by Fawcett, Stabulas - drums.

Music For Walking': A Jimmy Gannon original that lives up to its title. The theme is played in unison by Healy's clarinet and Buddle's tenor (note the Lester Young-like entry on his solo). After Rohde's piano, Healey is heard on clarinet and Nick Stabulas own drums.

Lullaby Of The Leaves: An A.J.Q. version of a tune that lends itself beautifully to their style of easy walking; flat, bassoon and piano choruses are to the beard; Brokensha on drums and Fawcett on bass.

The Things We Did Last Summer: Brokensha, Rohde, Healey and Fawcett quietly playing vibes, piano, bass and drums in a relaxed mood. A try like this gives one a good idea of the variety of the sounds of which the group is capable; small wonder that the groups works steadily.

Fascinating Fathom: The A.J.Q. closed the record with a bang in this fine version of the George Gershwin tune that seems to wear as well as A Rolls Royce.

We're really in the mainstream with Buddle's fine tenor work. Healey provides the swinging bass and Brokensha does his share on drums. - Joseph P. Murray

A Foggy Day

*Broadway

Little Girl Blue

*September Song 

Loose Walk

The Girl With The Flaxen Hair

You Are Too Beautiful 

* Music For Walkin'

Lullaby Of The Leaves

*Like Someone In Love

The Things We Did Last Summer

Fascinating Rhythm