Jackie Davis Meets The Trombones

 

Charleston Alley

Jackie Davis

Meets The Trombones

Produced by Bill Miller

Capitol Records ST 1180

From the back cover: The idea behind this session started one afternoon when Jackie Davis and Gerald Wilson, who conducted this album, were discussing the kind of music they'd like to create through pairing the Hammond with a new combination of instruments.

"After considering many other instruments, we finally decided on trombones," says Davis. "We wanted a sound that would not only blend with, but would also form striking contrasts to the tones of the electronic organ. The span of colors that come out of the trombones were just what we needed. In its own way, it's as versatile as the organ. It can sound big and bold, or mellow. We also agreed that trombones would adapt beautifully to the arrangements I had in mind."

The outcome in this album. Here for the first time, the electronic organ and the rich voices of five trombones are skillfully blended into a unified force. Aided by rhythm and sometimes a French horn, Jackie and the full-throated trombones take off in ten varied stylings – driving hard through such tunes as Fascinating Rhythm, swinging gently to create the softer moods of beautiful melodies like Frenesi.

But whether at an uptempo or ballad pace, Davis and the group have packed every selection with brilliant sound, while the most advanced recording techniques have added the element of stereo – that sound of realism which seems to send jumpin' Jackie and his swingin' pals right into the listener's room.

Also from the back cover: Gerald Wilson is one of the most important men-behind-the-scene in this recording. He not only conducted the session, but also orchestrated Jackie's arrangements. Wilson first became nationally famous as a working trumpeter and arranger with such talents as Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Jimmie Lunceford, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie. Later he set out on his own, creating a band whose records are now collector's items. Today he is one of the most sought-after arrangers on the musical scene.

Heard along with Jackie's Hammond organ are five trombones, French horn (on some selections), bass drums, and guitar. Instrumentalists include: Bob Fitzpatrick, Joe Howard, Ed Kusby, Nick De Maio, Dick Nash, George Roberts, Lester Robertson, Frank Rosolino and Ken Shroyer alternating on trombones; Vince De Rosa, French horn; Joe Comfort, bass; Milt Holland on drums; Irving Ashby, guitar; and Nat "Weede" Morris playing bongos on Frenesi.

Yours Is My Heart Alone

Frenesi

When I'm With You

My! My!

There's Something In The Air

Charleston Alley

Falling In Love With Love

Gonna Get A Girl

Fascinating Rhythm

This Can't Be Love