Record Reviews

TUBBY HAYES ~ ANTIBES `62 JAZZ IN BRITAIN 69 (Barcode: 5060774190883) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1962 Released: 2025 This is an archival live album by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist, recorded at the Antibes Jazz Festival in July 1962 by his quintet, which also included trumpeter Jimmy DeucharFind albums by this artist, pianist Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, bassist Freddy LoganFind albums by this artist and drummer Allan GanleyFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, two of which are short introductions, three are original compositions (one repeated twice) by Hayes, and three are standards. First three tracks were recorded on July 18 and the remaining five on July 19. On one of the tracks Hayes plays vibraphone and Beck does not take part. The sound quality is surprisingly sparkling. The album is accompanied by an extensive booklet with liner notes by Simon SpillettFind albums by this artist, the tireless Hayes archivist. The music is, not surprisingly, absolutely gorgeous, from start to finish, and all five musicians play marvelously. Although deeply rooted in the Bebop tradition, the music explodes with inventiveness and modern approach, and Hayes’ virtuosity turns everything into musical gold. This period of Hayes’ activity is well documented on record, both studio and live, but for true fans there is no such a thing as “too many” albums by their favorite artists, and this new release by the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label mavericks fits the bill perfectly. Spillett’s booklet is simply the proverbial cherry on top. There is no need really to add anything more, as Hayes’ music always speaks for itself. Overall, this is another superb release by the Jazz In Britain team, which seems to have access to a bottomless archive, which is filled with some incredible treasures of British Jazz, which we can now enjoy. As already mentioned above, there is no limit to British Jazz fans to their heroes, like Hayes or Beck, just bring them on. And of course thanks for sharing!

Updated: 27/05/2025Posted: 27/05/2025

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RONNIE SCOTT QUARTET ~ BBC JAZZ CLUB 1964-1966 RHYTHM AND BLUES 063 (Barcode: 5060331752219) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 - 1966 Released: 2020 This is an archival album by the British Jazz quartet led by legendary saxophonist Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist, known worldwide as the co-owner / co-founder (with Pete KingFind albums by this artist) of London’s most iconic Jazz Club, established in 1959 and located first at 39 Gerrard Street and in 1965 moved to the nearby current location (yes the club is still functional today) at 47 Frith Street. In all those years the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club became the de facto European Mecca not only for British Jazz, but for top Jazz Artists from all over the world. The album presents three sessions featuring the quartet: three tracks from 1964 (with an announcement by Scott) with pianist Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist, bassist Malcolm CecilFind albums by this artist and drummer Jackie DouganFind albums by this artist; three tracks from 1965 with Tracey, bassist Rick LairdFind albums by this artist and drummer Ronnie StephensonFind albums by this artist; and finally five tracks from 1966 (with announcements by Humphrey LittletonFind albums by this artist) with Tracey, bassist Freddy LoganFind albums by this artist and drummer Bill EydenFind albums by this artist with great American vocalist Mark MurphyFind albums by this artist (resident at that time in UK) on two tracks, accompanied only by the piano trio. The music is all mainstream Jazz and all the tracks are standards, but it shows Scott as an excellent player with a personal delivery and a keen eye (well ear) for the musicians he selected for the quartet, which were definitely some of the finest players around at the time. Tracey of course was also a full-fledged composer and leader of his own, and was the house pianist at Ronnie’s Jazz Club for over seven years (1960-1967), definitely not by chance. Although Scott himself was not swept by the charms of the British Jazz revolution, which created a new sound and approach to the music, and remained faithful to the American (mostly Bebop) tradition, he was very open-minded as a person and respected the young and experimenting generation. He offered the club at the old location for as long as the lease lasted, which was named the “Old Place”, to be used by young musicians to rehearse and perform and the “house musician” position was offered to such distinguished modernist as Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist. Overall this album is a nice reminder of Scott – the saxophonist and is a valuable addition to his recorded legacy, especially since this material is available here for the first time and offers quite reasonable sound quality.

Updated: 10/07/2021Posted: 10/07/2021

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