The one man most responsible for the growth of the bongo craze in jazz music is "Mister Bongo", Jack Costanzo. He was the first bongo drummer to join a jazz orchestra when in 1947 he became part of the Stan Kenton organization. His musicianship was so unique that Kenton even had 'Bongo Riff' written to feature Costanzo.
This CD contains the most outstanding recordings Mr. Bongo made under his own name. The first 6 tunes were the first he recorded as a leader in 1954. On the following 12 tracks, all recorded in summer of 1956, Jack Costanzo sets his unique percussive sound to a setting of swinging brass and it takes all the brilliance of five trumpets to answer the articulate and exciting rhythm patterns Jack lays down.
This CD is full of provocative and stimulating numbers. It is a great introduction to the many facets of The Versatile 'Mr. Bongo'.
Tracklist
Total time: 57:22 min.
01. Bottlabud (Bill Holman) 5:32
02. Satin Doll (Duke Ellington) 4:12
03. Maggie (PD) 4:10
04. G and J Blues (Wiggins-Costanzo) 5:57
05. Mambo Costanzo (Jack Costanzo) 3:24
06. Yukon Mambo (Jack Costanzo) 2:51
07. Burley Q Mambo (Bill Hitchcock) 3:17
08. The Continental (Conrad-Magidson) 2:09
09. Equinox (Jack Costanzo) 2:44
10. Bei mir Bist du Schoen (Bach-Friedman) 2:47
11. Blue Prelude (Jenkins-Bishop) 2:36
12. Young Man With a Horn (Stoll-Freed) 2:49
13. Diga Diga Doo (McHugh-Fields) 2:11
14. Street Scene (Alfred Newman) 2:28
15. El Diablito (Costanzo-Lopez) 2:09
16. Man With the Golden Arm (Elmer Bernstein) 2:34
17. Barney Google (Rose-Conrad) 3:06
18. Row Row Row Your Boat (Paul López) 2:17
Album details
Sources:
Tracks #1-6, released as side A of the album "Afro-Cubano" (Norgran MGN-1067)
Tracks #7-18, originally released as "Mr. Bongo Has Brass" (Zephyr ZP 12003 G)
Personnel on #1-2:
Jack Costanzo (bgos, cga), Rolf Ericson (tp), Bill Holman (ts), Gerry Wiggins (p), Joe Comfort (b), Lawrence Marable (d).
Recorded in Hollywood, December 1954
Personnel on #3-4*, 5 & 6:
Jack Costanzo (bgos, cga, bongoes solo on #5), John Anderson (tp), Tom Brown (ts), Gerry Wiggins (p), Jack Coughlan (b), Al Bartee or Jackie Mills* (d).
Recorded in Hollywood, December 1954
Personnel on #8-12, 15 & 17:
Jack Costanzo (bgos, cga), Jack Terran, Paul Lopez, John Anderson, Jimmy Salko (tp), Lloyd Ulyate, Ray Heath, Herbie Harper (tb), Eugene W. Ober (fh), Eddie Cano (p), Tony Reyes (b), Willie Gallardo (d,timbales), Ramon Rivera (cgas), Manuel Ochoa (maracas, perc).
Recorded in Hollywood, on June 8, 1956
Personnel on #7, 13-14, 16 & 18:
Jack Costanzo (bgos, cga), Jack Terran, Paul Lopez, John Anderson, Jimmy Salko (tp), Harry Betts, Herbie Harper (tb), Eddie Cano (p), Tony Reyes (b), Willie Gallardo (d,timbales), Ramon Rivera (cgas), Manuel Ochoa (maracas, perc), Shelly Manne (d).
Recorded in Hollywood, on July 3, 1956
Arrangements by Bill Holman, Gerry Wiggins, Paul Lopez, John Anderson, Bill Hitchcock and Eddie Cano.
Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol
