Personnel:
Conte Candoli, Jack Sheldon (tp), Zoot Sims, Bill Holman (ts), Carl Perkins, Walter Norris (p), Leroy Vinnegar, Carson Smith (b), Larry Bunker, Richie Frost (d)
Reference: FSRCD1156
Bar code: 8427328611565
It is a widely held view that big bands were the breeding ground for a whole new style of post-bop jazz, often referred to in the 1950s as modern jazz, and trumpeter Conte Candoli and saxophonist Zoot Sims were two perfect examples of soloists who emerged from big bands. Conte stood out as a brilliant soloist, with a bop-influenced style, and would later also become a much sought-after studio musician. Zoot, for his part, displayed from the start an earthy quality in his playing that was neither new nor old, nor concerned with belonging to any particular "school" other than a swinging one.
Conte and Zoot met in Stan Kenton's band in 1953, the year the band made its first European tour. They became friends and later both settled in Los Angeles, where, in addition to their club appearances leading their own groups, they participated together and separately in several recording sessions throughout 1955 with some of the best local jazzmen. Years later, they met again in Woody Herman's band in 1959, and the following year became members of Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band, with whom they also traveled to Europe.
This CD contains two live performances recorded in Los Angeles in 1955, during the heyday of so-called West Coast Jazz. However, it should be noted that the groups led by Conte Candoli and Zoot Sims did not align themselves with this style of jazz. Finally, it is also important to mention that the Jazz City recording appears here for the first time.
—Jordi Pujol
"While one associates Los Angeles of the 1950s with West Coast cool jazz, music that was generally played quietly and often with arranged ensembles that were somewhat introspective, not all of the jazz played in L.A. during that era fit into that genre. Conte Candoli was an exciting bebop trumpeter while Zoot Sims (based on the West Coast for part of that era) was famous for always being able to swing hard.
Los Angeles 1955 Live Sessions (available from www.freshsoundrecords.com) consists of three previously unreleased selections by a Conte Candoli-led quintet, and a set by Zoot Sims that was originally issued by the bootleg label Philogy under altoist Joe Maini’s name; the reissue of the Zoot session has much improved recording quality.
Candoli’s group also features tenor-saxophonist Bill Holman, pianist Carl Perkins, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Larry Bunker. They perform heated, hard-swinging, and boppish renditions of “Groovin’ High” and “The Champ” along with “’Round Midnight.” Holman shows that he was a top-notch tenor player even though he would soon become much better known as a superb arranger-composer.
The Zoot Sims session also has contributions by trumpeter Jack Sheldon, altoist Maini, pianist Walter Norris, bassist Carson Smith, and the obscure but fine drummer Richie Frost. Recorded by a fan who loves Sims’ playing, on four of the six numbers, the recording stopped after the tenor’s solos. However “Indian Summer” and the 12 1/2 minute rendition of “I’ll Remember April” are complete and the recording quality is decent for the time.
These performances, recorded at Jazz City and the Haig in Los Angeles, add to the legacy of jazz in Los Angeles and will be enjoyed by fans of these classic players."
—Scott Yanow (December, 2024)
Los Angeles Jazz Scene
