Calliope Records, Stars of Jazz, Jazz Scene USA

[Quasimado]

Nice sites from member James Harrod re 50’s West Coast record label Calliope

http://callioperecords.blogspot.jp/

and its source TV program Stars of Jazz

http://starsofjazz.blogspot.jp/

including photos, production notes, scripts, clips etc.

Likewise for the early 60’s TV show Jazz Scene USA:

http://jazzsceneusa.blogspot.jp/

Q

[JamesAHarrod]

Thanks for your kind comment.

My work on the Pacific Jazz / World Pacific labelography is progressing well and I should have it wrapped up by the end of the year.

http://pacificjazz.blogspot.com/2012/10/pacific-jazz-12-lp-new-pj-series-part.html

I have established another blog as a vehicle for various unrelated jazz research interests. It is located at:

http://jazzwestcoastresearch.blogspot.com/

Jim

[Dan Gould]

I spent some time this weekend going through Jim's remarkable work on the Calliope label Sessions, Live releases. Really terrific I hope a lot of people are taking the time to check it out.

My interest was piqued by the Buddy DeFranco post and now I am wondering if anyone can report on the music contained in the grooves. I'm thinking about tracking down the Count Basie/Jazz Messengers release, and I notice that Teddy Edwards was in the band for one of the Leroy Vinnegar releases, not to mention James Clay in the Red Mitchell episode.

Anyone familiar with these Sessions, Live releases?

[Claude Schlouch]

Dear Dan,

Please see my post concerning a forthcoming japanese CD which includes all Art Pepper sides + 3 bonus ones in another thread.

All the best,

Claude

[Dan Gould]

I did see that, Claude, thanks. In fact it reminded me to post about Jim's excellent blog and the ill-fated 70s LP series.

[JSngry]

They were very prevalent for a while in the late 70s, those Calliope sides were, but I'm afraid I passed them over, since they all seemed to be "West Coast Jazz" or other type things that had little to no interest to me at the time. That, and the covers were so generic, like a mystiqueless LT-series. After a while, it was, like, ok, another one of these things, keep flipping.

Had I looked a little closer, I would have reconsidered...but I don't think that personnel was listed on the back covers or not. Would've helped if they were..I mean, ok, just seeing Red Mitchell wouldn't necessarily get a second look. But Red Mitchell with James Clay? Uh, yeah, carpe-dieming all over that one!

BTW, James, the blog is exquisite in its detail, I spent a few hours on it last Friday night, just marvelling at all the small stuff you've documented. You obviously have cultivated some deep resources and aren't afraid to use the results, to which I say bravo! Would that all such blogs go all the way like this one does. Thank you, sir!

[Big Beat Steve]

Had I looked a little closer, I would have reconsidered...but I don't think that personnel was listed on the back covers or not. Would've helped if they were..I mean, ok, just seeing Red Mitchell wouldn't necessarily get a second look. But Red Mitchell with James Clay? Uh, yeah, carpe-dieming all over that one!

As for the lineup - yes, it was listed on the back, along with recording dates (not always correct as we now know). But you indeed had to overcome your initial hesitations about the run-of-the-mill looks of the covers. In my case the combination of Terry Gibbs, Pete Jolly and Red Norvo meant three reasons to look closer (and the low price at that clearout sale didn't detract either ), so ... bingo for the first one ever bought from that series.

Haven't been able to buy many more from that series ever since, but the mental note to look closer whenever another one comes my way definitely is there.

So ... a big Thank You to James Harrod from me too.

[JSngry]

As for the lineup - yes, it was listed on the back...

Sometimes, not always, and usually not was my memory.

etc.

[JSngry]

What I'd really like to know is what was the color scheme for this backdrop, which looks pretty out there in straight black & white:

[Big Beat Steve]

So I stand corrected.

The recording dates and credits like "Terry Gibbs Quartet with Pete Jolly" or "Terry Gibbs Quartet with Steve Allen" apparently were enough initial info for me to pull the trigger (and seeimngly fooled me into remembering there were more details to it).

BTW, looking at the credits on my cover here and those shown above, one detqil that makes me snicker now is "Production and COordination: JIM PEWTER". He of the countless nostalgia pop/r'n'r oldies shows ...

Nothing against that, not at all (he sure knew his stuff around 50s rock'n'roll etc.) but here he must have taken the sophisticated road to "Coolsville" for a change ...

Edited November 26, 2012 by Big Beat Steve

[JamesAHarrod]

Q: What I'd really like to know is what was the color scheme for this backdrop, which looks pretty out there in straight black & white:

Ray Avery did shoot B&W and color on the Stars of Jazz set. The one example that comes to mind is his shot of Bill Perkins that was used on the JUST FRIENDS album, Pacific jazz PJM-401. The lighting technician was using a red gel for the background in that photo. The next time I am up at CTSIMAGES offices I will check Ray's other work on SOJ using color.

Jim

[Quasimado]

Art Pepper is featured on member James Harrod's "Stars of Jazz" site.

Q

[Leeway]

Thanks for the tip. Some great primary material on the site.

[Quasimado]

The Warne Marsh Quintet is presented on "Stars of Jazz" - March 11, 1957 - Show #36 - a classic session. Ann Richards completes the program.

Thank you James.

Q

[Stonewall15]

Was the Warne Marsh session issued on a Calliope LP?

[Quasimado]

Not to my knowledge. Perhaps James knows. However it did appear a couple of years ago on a Warne Marsh - Jazz of 2 Cities - compilation CD on Fresh Sound (FSRCD342).

Q

Edited October 18, 2014 by Quasimado

[mikeweil]

James Harrod is the one to ask about that series - AFAIK he has documented all the shows. Don't hesitate to send him an e-mail.