Personnel:
Charlie Shavers (tp), Ray Bryant, Tommy Flanagan (p), Tommy Bryant, Al Hall (b), Oliver Jackson (d)
Reference: FSRCD 327
Bar code: 8427328603270
While other trumpet men fell by the wayside or were merely content to occupy an accustomed groove, Charles James Shavers roared on. Charlie was one of the very few trumpeters who successfully bridged the gap between the swing era and the genuine jazz moods of today. His time-honoured formula consisted of a unique and completely original style and tone, a flair for showmanship, a dash of humour and an instrumental virtuosity thats difficult to transcend. As a "little Shavers", Charlie started on banjo, later switching to trumpet, thus launching a professional career that fulfilled stints with Lucky Millinder, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and John Kirbys combo, among others, and found him as a sextet co-leader with Louis Bellson and Terry Gibbs. He was an Esquire Silver Award and Down Beat Poll winner as well as an accomplished songwriter. On recordings, Charlie performed with most of the leading names in the jazz world.
Charlie's arranging prowess is also brought to the fore in this "SWING ALONG WITH CHARLIE SHAVERS" set. Backed and embellished by a highly volatile rhythm section from Ray Bryants usual trio, with Tommy Flanagan on piano for a handful of tunes, the Shavers trumpet shines with sizzling abandon, both fluent and fiery with tremendous vitality and drive, yet sensitive and touching with a beautifully projected gift of lyricism. The resultant tone is clean and robust with individual notes deliberately full-bodied.
