Search - Jazz at the Philharmonic :: Hartford 1953

Hartford swinging

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 06/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, why this is listed here under Shelly Manne's name is a pretty good joke since Manne is not to be found on the date (I doubt he EVER appeared with JATP). But that gaffe shouldn't detract from who is here and what great music they produce. Typical for JATP there's a long jam session on COTTONTAIL that features Ben Webster, Flip Phillips, Benny Carter, Willie Smith, Bill Harris, Charlie Shavers, and Roy Eldridge in a round-robin of vibrant and enthusiastic solos. Then the Oscar Peterson Quartet plays a set of 4 tunes followed by Lester Young joining Oscar's group for a set. Pres is in great form and plays masterfully. All JATP concerts went right for the jugular in terms of all-out swing and raucous stimulation, and this concert is no exception. It's an excellent example of Granz's most important contribution to jazz, however, and one would be hard pressed to find more spectacular lineups than what Granz put on stage during most JATP affairs. Excellent stuff here, and the sound is terrific, too."

Swinging

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 09/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You know from the moment Norman Granz introduces this its going to being fantastic. The show starts with a 15min version of Ellingtons Cotton Tail. The line-up is:

Gene Krupa - Drums, Ray Brown - Bass, Herb Ellis - Guitar, Oscar Peterson - Piano

Willie Smith - Alto, Benny Carter Alto

Roy Eldridge - Trumpet, Charlie Shavers - Trumpet

Bill Harris - Trombone

Ben Webster - Tenor, Flip Phillips - Tenor



I don't need to tell you that this swings like hell. Its also good to be able to hear a bit of crowd reaction. They were obviously enjoying it as much as I am now!



Then follows the Oscar Peterson Quartet with JC Heard on drums instead on Gene Krupa. They perform "Air Mail Special", "Swinging On A Star", "The Man I Love" and 7 Come 11. This quartet are on fire! Oscar in particular is in inspired form, on more than one occasion getting huge cheers from the audience. Listen to "The Man I love" - after a mellow intro and subtle statement of the tune, Oscar starts his solo equally subtely but then builds it to 2 or 3 wonderous climaxes, which has the crowd crying out for more.



Finally the OP quartet are joined by Lester Young for the last 3 tunes - "D B Blues", "I Cover the Waterfront" and "Up-N Adam". As Norman Granz points out in the sleeve notes LY was on form that night. As always his Sax playing is supremely melodic, and his interpretation of a melody was as good as anyones. "I Cover the Waterfront" is a great demonstration of this, you can't really tell where the statement of the tune ends and the solo starts.



This is one of the best of the Jazz At he Philharmonic series, although not many people seem to realise it. Get it before it goes out of print!

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