Classics In Jazz - Bobby Sherwood

 

Classics In Jazz

Classics In Jazz

Bobby Sherwood

Capitol Records H320 (10 inch LP)

From the back cover: Bobby Sherwood is a musician's musician... a fine arranger, he also blows great trumpet and saxophone and plays sensational guitar. Born in Indianapolis of parents who were vaudeville stars, Bobby's whole life has been spent in show business... did a banjo act in blackface when he was nine... later formed his own trio to work with Ken Murray at the Los Angeles Paramount Theatre... then into radio and motion picture music... a stint with Artie Shaw's band... in 1942 formed his own band. This collection displays the versatility of that wonderful aggregation of the 1940's...a band with two outstanding characteristics: First, a solid "drive," always apparent... second, a matchless precision in performance – rhythm, brass, and saxes blend, phrase and "feel" together perfectly. Truly one of the great bands of all time!

SHERWOOD'S FOREST recorded June 18, 1946 in Los Angeles, California: Bobby Sherwood, Mannie Klein, Jack Walker, Don Dean, John Gabel, Ray Downs, Trumpets; Herbie Haymer, Seymour Press, Henry Facometta, Martin Glaser, Dave Cavanaugh, Merle Bredwell, Saxes; Wesson Cope, Phil Layton, Bob Leaman, James Marshall, Trombones; Ike Carpenter, Piano; Bart Edwards, Bass; Keith Williams, Drums; Bass Hutchinson, Guitar.

A progressive treatment of a modern descriptive piece. Orches- tration is full and performance sets a new standard. This is the first selection Sherwood recorded for Capitol.

SWINGIN' AT THE SEMLOH recorded December 2, 1943 in New York City: Bobby Sherwood, Trumpet and Guitar; William Moore, Bob Higgins, Charles Cognata, Eddie Greene, Trumpets; Albert Chait, Bob Leaman, Dave Clark, Trombones; Eddie Lucas, Ray Beckenstein, David Pell, Evan Aiken, Franklin Myers, Saxes; Joe Geneli, Bass; Ray Harte, Drums; Harold Becker, Piano; Charles Hutchinson, Guitar.

Bobby Sherwood is featured on unamplified guitar throughout this original, which has become a classic for all guitarists - incidentally the Semlôh was a ballroom located in Salt Lake City.

COTTON TAIL recorded October 30, 1945 in Los Angeles California: Bobby Sherwood, Eddie Greene, Keith Williams, Bobby Burns, Bob Haddick, Trumpets; Ken Matlock, Bob Leaman, Don Kelly, Trombones; Les Webel, Eddie Lucas, Herbie Haymer, Saxes; Joseph McAnarney, Clarinet; Garth Rasmus- sen, Baritone; Eddie Kalfas, Bass; Hollis Sulser, Piano; Bass Hutchinson, Guitar; Melvin Patterson, Drums.

Real wild jazz in breakneck tempo- outstanding Sherwood trum- pet, two choruses of Joe McAnarney's lightning-fast clarinet and superb Herbie Haymer tenor sax.

WALKIN' AND TALKIN' recorded October 30, 1945 in Los Angeles, California: Bobby Sherwood, Eddie Greene, Keith Williams, Bobby Burns, Bob Haddick, Trumpets; Ken Matlock, Bob Leaman, Don Kelly, Trombones; Les Webel, Eddie Lucas, Herbie Haymer, Saxes; Joseph McAnarney, Clarinet; Garth Rasmussen, Baritone; Eddie Kalfas, Bass; Hollis Sulser, Piano; Bass Hutchinson, Guitar; Melvin Patterson, Drums.

Relaxed rhythm – nonchalant, yet full-throated trumpet - and a discing that displays the Sherwood band's precision.

THE ELKS' PARADE recorded May 5, 1942 in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia: Bobby Sherwood, Gene Morgan, Bob Goodrich, Clyde Hurley, Trumpets; Bill Covey, Willy Martinas, John Hamilton, Bud Carlton, Champ Webb, Saxes; King Jackson, Joe Yukl, Trombones; John Cyr, Drums; Jud Denant, Bass; Bass Hutchin- son, Guitar; Gene Plummer, Piano.

A "parade" number comparable to the famous "South Rampart St."... alto sax as played by Bill Covey combines rhythm and tone Willy Martinas' clarinet and the Sherwood trumpet build with the band into a real "flag-waver"– great tenor sax by Johnny Hamilton.

BUGLE CALL RAG recorded March 17, 1947 in Los Angeles, California: Bobby Sherwood, Bob McKinzie, Frank Beach, Claude Bowen, Trumpets; Dave Cavanaugh, Herbie Haymer, Joe Koch, Art Herfurt, Claude Lakey, David Pell, Saxes; Phil Washburn, Ralph Pfiffner, Walter Benson, Ray Sims, Trom- bones; Bass Hutchinson, Guitar; Harold Becker, Piano; Keith Williams, Drums; Herman Stutz, Bass.

An unusual interpretation of the bugle call theme – Sherwood plays the trumpet down in the low register and effectively spots the half-valve technique.

POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL recorded November 13, 1944 in Los Angeles, California: Bobby Sherwood, Eddie Greene, Don Anderson, George Wendt, George Thow, Trumpets; E. V. Covey, M. L. Carlton, Eddie Lucas, Joe Philips, Harry Schuchman, Saxes; L. L. Nichols, Piccolo; Joe Yukl, Jack Jenney, Bob Leaman, Trombones; Stan Wrightsman, Piano; Bass Hutchinson, Guitar; Artie Shapiro, Bass; John Cyr, Drums. 

A solid beat from rim to edge, paced by John Cyr's great drums. Bobby's powerful horn provides the solo spots.

MAKIN' WHOOPEE recorded December 4, 1944 in Los Angeles, California: Bobby Sherwood, Eddie Greene, Bobby Burns, Don Anderson, Bill Waddilove, Trumpets; Bob Leaman, Bert Johnson, Al Thompson, Trombones; Joe McAnarney, Bob Graettinger, Herbie Haymer, Eddie Lucas, Harry Schuchman, Saxes; Don Tosti, Bass; Bass Hutchinson, Guitar; John Cyr, Drums; Fritz Becker, Piano.

A change of pace demonstrating the moderate tempo treatment of a fine standard. Again, Bobby Sherwood's identification is his full-toned trumpet.