Contemporary Records Story
From its inception in 1951, Contemporary Records was an important independent jazz label, a West Coast equivalent to New York's Blue Note, Prestige, or Riverside. When its founder Lester Koenig was blacklisted in the film industry for refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee, he turned full-time to recording jazz. Koenig began chronicling the airy tones, relaxed swing, and often complex, clever arrangements favored byShelly Manne,Lennie Niehaus, and other key figures of the burgeoning West Coast movement. The label achieved tremendous success with artists like the elegant pianistAndré Previn, with his sophisticated arrangements of Broadway show tunes, and the Poll Winners trio composed of guitaristBarney Kessel, bassistRay Brownand drummer Manne. But Contemporary also reflected the dual nature of the Los Angeles jazz scene, which contrasted the largely white "cool school" (often played by Hollywood studio musicians) with the edgy and forceful hard bop practiced by the city's perennially unsung black musicians.As the label's story unfolds here in recordings from 1952 to 1977, Koenig's vision is consistently impressive, whether he was recording a witty date by visiting East Coast iconSonny Rollinsor early sessions by avant-garde figuresOrnette ColemanandCecil Taylor. There are also superb mainstream dates by swing-era giants likeBenny Carter,Red Norvo, andBen Webster. Then there are the two figures who best connected all the points in the Contemporary world, pianistHampton Hawesand alto saxophonistArt Pepper--both brilliant players who stretch throughout the label's active history and who reach musical heights that few artists ever achieve. This four-CD set provides a view of California jazz that's more multifaceted and far more richly expressive than is often recognized.--Stuart Broomer