Brad Gowans And His New York Nine

 

Brad Gowans And His New York Nine

Brad Gowans And His New York Nine

RCA Victor LJM-3000 (10 inch LP)

1954

Brad Gowans - Trombone

Billy Butterfield - Trumpet

Arthur Rollini - Tenor Sax

Joe Dixon - Clarinet

Paul Ricci - Bass Sax

Joe Bushkin - Piano

Tony Colucci - Guitar

Jack Lesberg - Bass

Dave Tough - Drums

From the inside (gatefold) cover: The selections in this album were all recorded on April 10, 1946, by a band especially assembled under the tutelage of the celebrated master of the combined valve-and-slide trombone, Brad Gowans. Only two of these sides Jazz Me Blues and Singin' the Blues have ever been released before; in all eight is heard some of the most remarkable jazz of any period, the result of a session which produced startlingly original work in both solos and ensemble.

If anyone set out to prove just how inventive good jazz can be, these sides would offer the most convincing evidence. Take Brad Gowans and Billy Butterfield, two of the best brass men in the business; throw in a considerable amount of Arthur Rollini at his best; add a dash of Joe Dixon and Paul Ricci; and serve with a superlative rhythm section-the results could not be anything but the most exciting.

In addition to his status as one of jazzdom's great trombonists, Brad Gowans is possibly the country's number one baseball fan, a fact which offers sufficient explanation for the sporting title of his recording group. It is also interesting to note, if only in passing, that the session was led by Gowans attired in his habitual baseball cap, an accoutrement which may or may not account for the music's complete abandon. With a long background of great recordings he has cut sides with such musicians as Eddie Condon, Bud Freeman, Bobby Hackett and Art Hodes – Brad finally came into his own when he assembled this band for the eight sides heard here. Blowing a combination valve-and-slide trombone of his own invention – he is undoubtedly the only musician playing a bastard instrument of this kind-he brought to the present aggregation not only his marvelously driving style, but an ensemble spirit that sparked everyone else to feats of greater virtuosity.

Almost equally responsible for the excitement of these sides is Billy Butterfield, a trumpeter who blows both hot and sweet, and whose style and tone have made him one of the most sought- after sidemen in the game. His marvelous lead work on Poor Butterfield a Gowans original which, incidentally, contains a tasty Rollini solo reminiscent of Bud Freeman's on The Eel – is at least equalled by the poetic way in which he attacks the lovely Carolina in the Morning.

It is, indeed, difficult to single out any particular soloist in this all-star aggregation. Joe Dixon's clarinet, especially in Clari-jama, is both aggressive and restrained; and Paul Ricci's bass sax lends a different flavor to every side. The rhythm sec- tion is solid throughout, with Joe Bushkin contributing several of his fanciful solo flights, and with Dave Tough-this was, in- cidentally, his last date-backing everyone with the beat that made him one of the greatest, and most underrated, of drummers. In all, this is the sort of jazz one is not privileged to hear very often rugged, but disciplined; exhilarating and com- pletely relaxed. It was a session in which all the participants were equally inspired, one in which they created, singly and together, some of the most memorable jazz of recent years. – BILL ZEITUNG

Poor Butterfield

I'm Coming Virginia

Jazz Me Blues

Stompin' At The Savoy

Singin' The Blues

Clari-jama

Carolina In The Morning

Jada