Jazz by Gee Matthew Gee All-Stars (CD)

Description: Personnel: Matthew Gee (tb), Kenny Dorham, Joe Newman, Russell Jacquet (tp), Ernie Henry, Lou Donaldson (as), Frank Foster, Illinois Jacquet (ts), Frank Wess (ts, fl), Cecil Payne (bs), Joe Knight, Elmo Hope, Johnny Acea (p), Wilbur Ware, John Simmons, Percy Heath, Al Lucas, Eddie Jones (b), Art Taylor, Art Blakey, Shadow Wilson, Osie johnson (d) Matthew Gee (1925-1979), who belatedly had the opportunity to record this album, “Jazz by Gee!,” his first and only one as a leader, in 1956, was one of many talented jazzmen who earned the solid and lasting respect of his peers without ever achieving the public recognition they clearly deserved. Leonard Feather described Gee as one of the “best and most underrated of bop-influenced trombonists.” Gee was first influenced—not only in style but in his decision to play the trombone—by hearing Trummy Young, who was playing ahead-of-his-time trombone with the Jimmie Lunceford band. After attending Alabama State College, where he built a musical reputation, Gee arrived in New York. His first big band job was with Erskine Hawkins’s band. After military service, he worked with Dizzy Gillespie in 1946, the Gene Ammons-Sonny Stitt group, Count Basie, and Illinois Jacquet, before freelancing in the New York area. From 1959 to 1963, he played intermittently with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Later, in the 1960s, he played in small groups with Paul Quinichette and Brooks Kerr, and in big bands with Sonny Stitt and Johnny Griffin. Gee’s favorite trombonists were J.J. Johnson and Benny Green, and some of his admiration for them could be heard in his work. But there was even more in his driving, plunging style that was uniquely Gee; and it was high time that a lot more people appreciated just how much jazz that was. The supporting cast here rated his “star” billing. In the septet numbers, tenor sax Frank Foster, trumpet Kenny Dorham, and baritone sax Cecil Payne stood out. The quintet featured Ernie Henry, one of those few altos with a defined sound and his own ideas, in addition to the inevitable debt to Charlie Parker. The rhythm section in both sessions was driven by Art Taylor. Joe Knight, a young pianist from Brooklyn, provided remarkably solid support throughout. Bass was shared by formidable veteran John Simmons and respected Chicago newcomer Wilbur Ware. Matthew Gee’s limited discography as a leader prompted us to add five bonus tracks from albums by other artists, featuring Matthew as a soloist and sideman. —Jordi Pujol TRACKLIST: 01. Out of Nowhere (Green-Heyman) 3:23 02. I'll Remember April (Raye-dePaul-Johnston) 4:12 03. Joram (Bill Massey) 3:03 04. Sweet Georgia Brown (Bernie-Pinkard-Casey) 2:56 05. Lover Man (Davis-Ramirez-Sherman) 4:59 06. Gee! (Matthew Gee) 6:08 07. Kingston Lounge (Matthew Gee) 8:42 08. The Boys from Brooklyn (Matthew Gee) 7:54 09. Moe's Bluff (Elmo Hope) 5:08 * 10. Caracas (Lou Donaldson) 5:59 * 11. The Stroller (Lou Donaldson) 5:36 * 12. On Your Toes (Illinois Jacquet) 3:18 * 13. Close Quarters (F.Foster-J.Newman) 5:18 * (*) Bonus Tracks: Matthew Gee’s limited discography as a leader prompted us to add five bonus tracks from albums by other artists, featuring Matthew as a soloist and sideman. Sources: Tracks #1-8, from the 12-inch album “Jazz by Gee!” (Riverside RLP 12-221) Tracks #9-11, from the 10-inch album “Lou Donaldson Sextet, vol.2” (Blue Note BLP-5055) Track #12, from the 10-inch album “Jazz by Jacquet” (Clef MG C-167) Tracks #13, from the 10-inch album “Joe Newman and His Band” (Vanguard VRS 8007) Personnel on “Jazz by Gee!” MATTHEW GEE QUINTET [#1-5] Matthew Gee, trombone; Ernie Henry, alto sax; Joe Knight, piano; Wilbur Ware, bass; Art Taylor, drums. Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York City, August 22, 1956 MATTHEW GEE SEPTET [#6-8] Kenny Dorham, trumpet; Matthew Gee, trombone; Frank Foster, tenor sax; Cecil Payne, baritone sax; Joe Knight, piano; John Simmons, bass; Art Taylor, drums. Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York City, July 19, 1956 Pesonnel on Bonus Tracks: LOU DONALDSON SEXTET [#9-11] Kenny Dorham, trumpet; Matthew Gee, trombone; Lou Donaldson, alto sax; Elmo Hope, piano; Percy Heath, bass; Art Blakey, drums. Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, August 22, 1954 ILLINOIS JACQUET SEPTET [#12] Russell Jacquet, trumpet; Matthew Gee, trombone; Illinois Jacquet, tenor sax; Cecil Payne, baritone sax; Raymond Acea; piano; Al Lucas, bass; Shadow Wilson, drums. Recorded in New York City, December 11, 1953 JOE NEWMAN SEPTET [#13] Joe Newman, trumpet; Matthew Gee, trombone; Frank Wess, tenor sax & flute; Frank Foster, tenor sax; Johnny Acea, piano; Eddie Jones, bass; Osie Johnson, drums. Recorded in New York City, March 9, 1954 Cover designed by Paul Bacon Original liner notes: Orrin Keepnews Recordings produced by Bill Grauer & Orrin Keepnews (#1-8); Alfred Lion (#9-11); Norman Granz (#12); and John Hammond (#13) This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol Mono · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

Price: 19.99 USD

Location: Lake Hughes, California

End Time: 2024-10-29T22:00:17.000Z

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Artist: Art Blakey, Matthew Gee, Kenny Dorham, Joe Newman, Russell Jacquet, Ernie Henry, Lou Donaldson, Frank Foster, Illinois Jacquet, Frank Wess, Cecil Payne, Joe Knight, Elmo Hope, Johnny Acea, Wilbur Ware, John Simmons, Percy Heath, Al Lucas, Eddie Jones, Art Taylor, Shadow Wilson, Osie johnson

Type: Album

Format: CD

Record Label: Fresh Sound Records

Release Title: Jazz by Gee Matthew Gee All-Stars

Case Type: Jewel Case: Standard

Style: Acid Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Cool Jazz, Free Jazz, Gypsy Jazz, New-Orleans-Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Soul Jazz, Traditional Jazz, Vocal Jazz, World Jazz

Genre: Jazz