mmilovan

I think there is bit of Tommy Dorsey heritage in that Stafford & Weston sound. Truly, it is more evident in straight ballad tempo music (Weston was staff arranger for Dorsey during 1940s), but this Dorsey's band could swing like mad. This switch Tommy made at the beginning of decade, around 1939 or so, IMHO

These are DVD rips, mostly...

Here, uploaded again:

Interesting setting and Mel Torme at the drums:

Mark Stryker, totally true. Not only perfect pitch and breath control but very capable of subtle melody altering, just any great singer capable of doing. I will always look for her nearly swing-to-bop uptempo interpretations of popular standards from the 1940's (especially Capitol period), but records with Tommy Dorsey are also worth listen to. Also, few discussions here:

R.I.P. - he was among the best ever lived and played jazz drums!

I've been listening to these files, one after another, and find so much similarities: Is it possible that the man who composed opening theme drew some inspiration from tune played by Otto Stenzel and his orchestra?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/33909201#33909201

But Al Klink was capable sax solist in his own style, and sure in jazz "idiom".

In fact WKCR now plays very rare 1930s Basie broadcasts in very good shape (I have few of tracks from these in very poor sound on some French CD). AMAZING! The same occurred yesterday when they played bunch of broadcasts I never heard before in any source: V discs, 1940s transcriptions and live programs and 1930s live recordings. It was heaven, and I'm sure I've heard some ingenious early Lester, even better than on official sessions. Unfortunately, heard no emphasis given to these (there were no additional comments from Phil) but material is simply marvelous... God knows how many good Basie broadcasts left unissued to this day. Pure treasure!!!

Hapy birthday to true giant!

Yes, I still know where I first read notes about such exotic material - it was book titled "Lester Young" by Lewis Porter (issued around 1985. or so).

Probably 10 years ago, at board dedicated to Greatest Day in Harlem photo, one of Young's relatives (grand daughter) told me that she was in possession of tape recorded in Newport, with Lester playing and singing! Probably this source still exists.

Again, wall of neglection for one of the most importat musician in whole history of jazz.

It's a pitty they missed such opportunity to issue this one: http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0605/young.html

For that matter I found this interesting article, and one of great Pres admirers - Dave Pell: 56 Years Of Rust: Pell Rescues Prez's Horn http://www.artsjournal.com/rifftides/2009/...ll_rescues.html

There is no border line for Lester Young... 10, 20, 50... no... every second of his playing is worth hearing and preserving.

Right!!!

Happy Birthday Hank! I'm wishing you good health! You are my favourite piano player, ever! Also happy birthday to Kenny Burrell, I like his playing, and enjoy every second. BTW, sure Hank is no old school! As well as Jelly Roll is no old school! They will remain new after all of us! There is no boundaries to this art!

Everytime I listen to Keely Smith I can recognize such strong, pure magical female voice. Pure pleasure to listen!!!

Duke Jordan certainly is one of my favourite piano players! Miles once said in his autobiography something as: Jordan knew nothing and that (Miles) show him chords and everything. Such egomaniac words are so hard to swallow!

Any news about those 16" LOC acetates from 1940?

I know of two tunes he wrote, "Dizzy Spells" and "Bughouse." How about "Some Other Spring"?

And a bit of George Shearing in those block chords...

Oh man, how nice, how wonderful to listen to! For the last two days I listened to this very same clip around 30 times or so. Fresh, clever piece! And on those last few bars June Christy is simply magical!