Shorty Rogers – Way Up There (1958)

Atlantic – 1270Rec. Dates : March 3, October 26, December 6, 9, 16, 1955Stream this Album Flugelhorn/Trumpet : Shorty RogersAlto Sax : Bud ShankBaritone Sax : Jimmy GiuffreBass : Curtis Counce, Leroy Vinnegar, Ralph PenaClarinet : Jimmy GiuffreDrums : Shelly ManneFrench Horn : John GraasGuitar : Barney KesselPiano : Earl Gray, Lou Levy, Pete JollyTenor

Harry Edison – Gee, Baby Ain’t I Good To You (1958)

Verve – MGV-8211Rec. Dates : March 5 & 29, 1957Stream this Album (YT only) Trumpet : Harry EdisonBass : Ray BrownDrums : Alvin StollerGuitar : Barney KesselPiano : Oscar PetersonTenor Sax : Ben Webster   American Record GuideMartin Williams : April, 1958 The previous meeting of trumpeter Edison and tenor saxist Webster, Sweets (Clef MG-C717), produced what was

Barney Kessel – Feeling Free (1969)

Contemporary – S7618Rec. Date : February 13, 1969 Stream this Album Guitar : Barney KesselBass : Chuck DomanicoDrums : Elvin JonesVibes : Bobby Hutcherson Billboard : 09/27/1969 In these days of jazz guitarists like Benson, Szabó and Montgomery making the charts, it is good to welcome back Kessel, who has always been one of the

Sonny Rollins – And the Contemporary Leaders (1959)

Contemporary – M3564Rec. Dates: October 20, 21 & 22, 1958Stream this Album Tenor Sax : Sonny RollinsBass : Leroy VinnegarDrums : Shelly ManneGuitar : Barney KesselPiano : Hampton HawesVibraharp : Victor Feldman Billboard : 11/23/1959Four stars This album captures Sonny Rollins at his most impressive, in fact it is one of his best performances in a long time. It was cut in October

Buddy DeFranco – Buddy DeFranco Wailers (1957)

Norgran – MGN-1085Rec. Date : December, 1956Stream this Album (YT only) Clarinet : Buddy DeFrancoBass : Bob StoneDrums : Bobby WhiteGuitar : Barney KesselPiano : Jimmy RowlesTrumpet : Harry Edison Army Times : 02/09/1957Tom Scanlan Clarinetist Buddy DeFranco has some swinging moments on a new sextet record appropriately called The Buddy DeFranco Wailers. Well, they do, especially Harry “Sweets” Edison and guitarist Barney Kessel. Greatly underrated pianist Jimmy Rowles is

Harry Edison and his Orchestra – Sweets (1957)

Clef – MGC 717Rec. Date : Unknown Stream this Album Trumpet : Harry EdisonBass : Joe MondragonDrums : Alvin StollerGuitar : Barney KesselPiano : Jimmy RowlesTenor Sax : Ben Webster Billboard : 03/16/1957Jazz Disk Jockey Programming Album A few may find this on the old-fashioned side, but this is a session that has to be

Lester Young – The President Plays With the Oscar Peterson Trio (1956)

Norgran – MGN 1054Rec. Date : August 4, 1952 Stream this Album Tenor Sax : Lester YoungPiano : Oscar PetersonBass : Ray BrownDrums : J.C. HeardGuitar : Barney Kessel Billboard : 05/05/1956Score of 72 Another re-issue on 12-inch $3.98 vinyl of two complete previously listed 10-inch LPs. The President, of course, is tenor saxman Lester

Stuff Smith – Stuff Smith (1957)

Verve – MGV-8206Rec. Dates : March 7, 1957, March 12, 1957Stream this Album Violin : Stuff SmithBass : Ray BrownDrums : Alvin StollerGuitar : Barney KesselPiano : Oscar Peterson A nice article about Stuff Smith’s violin, “Big Red,” from the June 2018 issue of Strings Magazine. Billboard : 08/05/1957Score of 70 An appealing slice of the jazz violin work that Smith has long been

Howard Rumsey – Lighthouse at Laguna (1956)

Contemporary – C3509Rec. Date : June 20, 1955 Stream this Album Bass : Howard Rumsey, Red MitchellAlto Sax : Bud ShankArranger : Claude Williamson, Barney KesselDrums : Stan Levey, Shelly ManneFlute : Bud ShankGuitar : Barney KesselPiano : Claude Williamson, Hampton HawesTenor Sax : Bob CooperTrombone : Frank Rosolino Billboard : 02/25/1956Score of 80 A

Billie Holiday – Lady Sings the Blues (1956)

Clef – MG C-721Rec. Dates : September 3, 1954, June 6, 1956, June 7, 1956 Stream this Album Vocals : Billie HolidayAlto Sax : Willie SmithArrangements : Tony ScottBass : Red Callender, Aaron BellClarinet : Tony ScottDrums : Chico Hamilton, Lenny McBrowneGuitar : Barney Kessel, Kenny BurrellPiano : Bobby Tucker, Wynton KellyTenor Sax : Paul