AVID Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release by Manny Albam, complete with original artwork and liner notes.
“Jazz Workshop”; Manny Albam-Ernie Wilkins & Their Orchestra-”The Drum Suite”; “Manny Albam & The Jazz Greats of Our Time-Volume 1" and “Manny Albam & The Jazz Greats of Our Time-Volume 2".
In his early days Manny Albam worked as an arranger with Charlie Spivak. As a writer he worked with Count Basie, Woody Herman and Stan Kenton. As a baritone sax player he worked with Georgie Auld, Muggsy Spanier, Charlie Barnet and Charlie Ventura. While with the Auld band he was mentored by arranger Budd Johnson which played a great part in launching his career.
Finally he virtually gave up playing to concentrate on arranging, conducting and composing. The list of musicians he has played with is endless and awesome and they include as well as the above, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer, Gerry Mulligan, Hank Jones, Conte Candoli, Shelly Manne, Art Farmer, Hal McKusick, Harry “Sweets” Edison and Milt Hinton.
CD1
1-12: ‘Jazz Workshop’
1. Anything Goes
2. Headstrong
3. Black Bottom
4. The Changing Scene
5. The Turning Point
6. Charmaine
7. Diga Diga Doo
8. Royal Garden Blues
9. Swinging On A Star
10. Intermezzo
11. Ferris Wheel
12. Urbanity
13-18: ‘The Drum Suite’
13. First Movement: Dancers On Drums
14. Second Movement: Bristling
15. Third Movement: Chant Of The Witch Doctors
16. Fourth Movement: Skinning The Valves
17. Fifth Movement: Cymbalisms
18. Sixth Movement: The Octopus
CD2
1-7: ‘The Jazz Greats Of Our Time Volume 1’
1. Blues From Neither Coast
2. Latined Fracture
3. Poor Dr. Millmoss
4. Minor Matters
5. My Sweetie Went Away
6. All Too Soon
7. See Here, Miss Bromley
8-14: ‘The Jazz Greats Of Our Time Volume 2’
8. Interwoven
9. Afterthoughts
10. Sweet’s Bread
11. Jive At Five
12. Thunder Burt
13. How Long Has This Been Going On
14. It’s De-Lovely
