The Sound Of Jazz
Jazz and network television have seldom had a close or harmonious relationship, hardly any relationship at all, in fact. But there was a rare and glorious moment in 1957 when CBS presented an hourlong show calledThe Sound of Jazz. Musical advisers Nat Hentoff and Whitney Balliett didn't aim for a history of the form, but they assembled an extraordinary group of players, including the cream of the swing era, still vital players whom fashion was largely passing by. This CD isn't taken from the soundtrack of the show itself. It's from a recording studio session held a few days before the event with largely the same material and musicians. While several tracks are listed as being by a series of "All-Stars," some key figures keep reappearing, heightening the feel of an unusually coherent jam session.The great Basie alumnus Jo Jones is the only drummer present, andColeman Hawkinsplays tenor and Vic Dickenson trombone throughout.Billie Holidayturns in one of her finest 1950s performances on "Fine and Mellow," accompanied by the pantheon of swing tenor saxophonists, Hawkins,Ben Webster, andLester Young, with "Prez," too, in rare form for the time. TheBasietracks surge and soar with as star-studded a big band as he ever led, includingEllingtonbaritonist Harry Carney contributing memorable solos. While trumpeter-vocalist Red Allen was typecast into Dixieland, he was a musician of tremendous imagination, making note choices that could surprise boppers. His two tracks pair him with fellow trumpeter Rex Stewart, whose muted growls provide effective contrast. The various streams of '50s modernism aren't extensively represented, but "Blues" presents an intergenerational meeting of the quirkily creative clarinetistsPee Wee RussellandJimmy Giuffre. Giuffre's trio with guitaristJim Halltouches on folk roots and cool, chamber-jazz textures in a performance of "The Train and the River." The most unusual track is "Nervous," an edgy, postbop piano solo byMal Waldron, then a little-known musician who was present as Holiday's accompanist.--Stuart Broomer