Stu Willamson

[Tom 1960]

I'm really enjoying his playing on the Lennie Niehaus Volume 5: The Sextet release which arrived in the mail recently.Kind of surprised to see no discussion here when I did a search. Anyone else here also enjoy his work and willing to offer a few thoughts and perhaps make a few recommendations on recordings I should make note of? I already own a good number of Rumsey Lighthouse All-Star recordings.

[Joe]

Yes, absolutely. Especially fond of his trumpet work.

Was first -- and still am -- impressed by his playing on those Richard Bock-produced Elmo Hope tracks from 1957 that Blue Note tacked on to the CD reissue of TRIO AND QUINTET. Have since tracked down some of his leader dates on Bethlehem; the music there is slightly more "polite", but there are sparks (Charlie Mariano is a frequent partner on these recordings).

Speaking of Mariano... Williamson was of course an integral part of the Shelly Manne quintets that recorded for Contemporary in the mid-50s. I presume you own or have heard SWINGING SOUNDS, MORE SWINGING SOUNDS, and THE GAMBIT?

[BillF]

He can be heard to advantage on Pepper Adams Quintet (VSOP/Mode) with Carl Perkins, Leroy Vinnegar and Mel Lewis.

[king ubu]

I'd love to see a Mosaic Select (or a full box) of those Bethlehem "Plays" albums by Williamson, Mariano etc. Mighty fine music! And in my opinion quite a bit better than what's on the Kenton Presents (with the exception of the Holman stuff, I think, but Holman's is partly non Kenton Presents, and Holman also doesn't turn up on the "Plays" albums).

[flat5]

"He can be heard to advantage on Pepper Adams Quintet (VSOP/Mode) with Carl Perkins, Leroy Vinnegar and Mel Lewis."

Yes indeed! This is a VERY fine record! It is out on CD now too.

There are many highlights, but for drummers, notice how Mel plays under the melody on Baubles, Bangles, & Beads.

The arrangement of Unforgettable is great and campy in the way the melody is

so "west coast-ish".

More Stu can be found on Stan Kenton records.

I like his valve trombone playing to.

I really think he has his own way of thinking through a solo.

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

i dont know what you guys are hyping over about his trumpet playing- Stuey is known in wcj circles for his brillant Value Trombone playing. he essentially brought the instrument to west coast jazz. ps- what do you mean richard bock produced dates with elmo hope-- is there an original Pacific jazz issue i need to be looking for?

[Tom 1960]

He can be heard to advantage on Pepper Adams Quintet (VSOP/Mode) with Carl Perkins, Leroy Vinnegar and Mel Lewis.

Thanks for mentioning the Pepper Adams session, Bill. With Carl Perkins also on the date, it sounds like a winner.

[king ubu]

i dont know what you guys are hyping over about his trumpet playing- Stuey is known in wcj circles for his brillant Value Trombone playing. he essentially brought the instrument to west coast jazz. ps- what do you mean richard bock produced dates with elmo hope-- is there an original Pacific jazz issue i need to be looking for?

What about Bob Enevoldsen? If I think valve trombone and West Coast Jazz, he's the one I think of first...

[Larry Kart]

i dont know what you guys are hyping over about his trumpet playing- Stuey is known in wcj circles for his brillant Value Trombone playing. he essentially brought the instrument to west coast jazz.

I thought it was Bob Enevoldsen who "essentially brought the instrument to west coast jazz." Williamson didn't take up the instrument until 1954, according to Feather-Gitler. Enevoldsen had recorded on valve trombone before then.

As for Williamson on trumpet, I'll have to listen again (though I can't do that for a while), but I recall some rhythmic stiffness and a rather nanny-goatish tone as being drawbacks. Sadly, Williamson was a bad junkie; he stopped playing in 1968, and I recall a Cadence interview with older brother Claude that referred to Stu essentially living on the streets by the time of his death, in 1991.

[BillF]

He can be heard to advantage on Pepper Adams Quintet (VSOP/Mode) with Carl Perkins, Leroy Vinnegar and Mel Lewis.

Thanks for mentioning the Pepper Adams session, Bill. With Carl Perkins also on the date, it sounds like a winner.

I see it's now available together with the very good Pepper Adams, Critics' Choice session on an album called PepperAdams, Hollywood Quintet Sessions.

[Tom 1960]

Speaking of Mariano... Williamson was of course an integral part of the Shelly Manne quintets that recorded for Contemporary in the mid-50s. I presume you own or have heard SWINGING SOUNDS, MORE SWINGING SOUNDS, and THE GAMBIT?

Don't own these at present, but now added to my wish list. Thanks Joe.

[JohnS]

Always an interesting and releiable player but I haven't played anything by him for quite a while. Thanks for the reminder Tom, I'll dust one or two off for playing later today.

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

that is sad

[JohnS]

Off topic I know but I like brother Claude too. One of my favourite pianists from the mid 50s from whatever coast.