AVID Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release of by or featuring bandleader, arranger and alto saxophonist Earl Bostic, complete with original artwork and liner notes.
“Dance Time”; “Let’s Dance”; “Alto Magic In Hi-Fi” and “Dance Music From The Bostic Workshop”
Earl Bostic is arguably now best remembered as one of the pioneers of the post war Rhythm & Blues movement of which he was a major player. His name would not necessarily jump out if you were asked to name ten of the best alto sax players ever. And yet he was up there amongst the best when he began his career back in the 1930’s firmly in the jazz tradition. He played with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Charlie Christian, Arnett Cobb, Don Byas, Thelonious Monk and Cab Calloway. He arranged for the likes of Paul Whiteman, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Louis Prima and Jack Teagarden. By the late 1940’s Bostic turned towards the upcoming new R&B movement and after signing to the King label, produced a series of hit singles and albums, four of which you will hear on our latest 2CD set. Earl Bostic became a kind of early John Mayall of the 1940’s -50’s jazz world where his bands became a training ground for the likes of John Coltrane (who cited Bostic as major influence on his playing), as did Blue Mitchell, Stanley Turrentine, Teddy Edwards, Jaki Byard, Tony Scott and Benny Golson.
Take a listen and remind yourselves or discover what a great musician Earl Bostic was.
CD1
1-12: ‘Dance Time’
1. Harlem Nocturne
2. Where Or When
3. Sweet Lorraine
4. Poeme
5. You Go To My Head
6. Off Shore
7. The Moon Is Low
8. Ain’t Misbehavin’
9. The Sheik Of Araby
10. I Hear A Rhapsody
11. Roses Of Picardy
12. Melancholy Serenade
13-24: ‘Let’s Dance’
13. Lover Come Back To Me
14. The Merry Widow Waltz
15. Cracked Ice
16. Song Of The Islands
17. Danube Waves
18. Wrap It Up
19. Blue Skies
20. Ubangi Stomp
21. Cherry Bean
22. Earl’s Imagination
23. My Heart At Thy Sweet Voice
24. Leiberstraum
CD2
1-7: ‘Alto Magic In Hi Fi’
1. Twilight Time
2. Stairway To The Stars
3. Rockin’ With Richard
4. Be My Love
5. Pinkie
6. Goodnight Sweetheart
7. Over The Waves Rock
8. Jer-On-Imo
9. C Jam Blues
10. Wee-Gee Board
11. The Wrecking Rock
12. Home Sweet Home Rock
13-24: ‘Dance Music From The Bostic Workshop’
13. Third Man Theme
14. The Key
15. Does Your Heart Beat For Me
16. El Choclo Cha Cha
17. Gondola
18. Sweet Pea
19. Ducky
20. Sentimental Journey
21. Barcarolle
22. Who Cares
23. Rose Marie
24. Up There In Orbit
