"Med Flory has enjoyed both a profitable music career and successful stints as a television and film writer and actor. His alto sax and clarinet work are deeply influenced by the classic bebop sound, notably the playing of Charlie Parker. Though he doesn't directly emulate Parker, Flory's sound, phrasing and approach reflect his reverence for his music. He played clarinet and alto with Claude Thornhill in the '50s, and tenor with Woody Herman. Flory formed his own New York band in 1954, then moved to the West Coast two years later. He organized a big band that performed at the inaugural Monterey concert in 1958. Flory played with Terry Gibbs' nonet and orchestra in the late '50s and early '60s, recording with both units and also cutting sessions with Art Pepper and Herman on baritone. Flory's acting career blossomed in the '60s, as he began appearing on many television shows and in films. He also wrote screenplays and trimmed his playing dates. During Flory's sessions with Pepper, the sax section played arrangements of Parker improvisations. Flory and Joe Maini began transcribing the solos, but after Maini's death in 1964 Flory stopped the process. When Buddy Clark showed interest, Flory not only began transcribing again, he co-formed a band with Clark to play the material. Supersax began in 1972 and won a Grammy for its debut recording the next year. Flory became the sole leader when Clark departed in 1975, and maintained its operation into the '80s. He also continued to juggle writing and acting. Flory has recorded as a leader for Jubille and World Pacific as a session leader, and for Capitol, MPS and Columbia with Supersax."
Ron Wynn -All Music Guide
Tracklist
01. Straight Ahead (Flory) 2:32
02. No Thanks (Cohn) 2:59
03. The Fuzz (Cohn) 2:53
04. Three Times Around (Flory) 3:02
05. Wonderful You (Cohn) 5:18
06. Joanie's Jump (Flory) 3:06
07. Plain Jane Snavely (Brookmeyer) 3:25
08. I Love You, That's All (Flory) 2:09
09. Jazz Wave (Flory) 2:23
10. An Occasional Man (Martin-Blane) 2:56
11. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (Arlen-Koehler) 3:04
12. Ocean Motion (Niehaus) 2:32
13. On A Slow Boat To China (Loesser) 2:22
14. Sea Chase (Rosenshone) (Hood) 2:28
15. Davy Jones (Flory) 5:14
16. I Cover The Waterfront (Green-Heyman) 2:27
17. Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat (Scott) 2:56
18. Rapture Of The Deep (Enevoldson) 2:40
19. Jonah And The Wail (Johnson) 3:43
20. Shish-Ka-Bob (Flory) 2:30
21. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
(Traditional, arranged by Bill Holman) 2:38
Album details
Original source:
Tracks #9-19, from the Jubilee 12" album "Jazz Wave" (JLP-1066)
Later reissue as "The Big Band" on Josie Records (JJM 3506)
Personnel on tracks #1-4:
John Bello, Al Derisi, Jerry Kail, Doug Mettonme (tp), Billy Byers, Urbie Green, Milt Gold (tb), Med Flory (as, ts), Hal McKusick (cl, as), Al Cohn (ts), Jack Agee (bs), John Williams (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Art Mardigan (d).
Recorded in New York City, on February 4, 1954
Personnel on tracks #5-8:
Joe Burnett, Ed Leddy, Jack Hohmann, Ray Triscari (tp), Bob Burgess, Dave Wells (tb), Med Flory (as, ts), Bill Perkins, Bill Masinghill, Arno Marsh (ts), Leo Anthony (bs), John Banister (p), Tom 'Red' Kelly (b), Mel Lewis (d).
Hollywood, California, on March 12, 1956
Personnel on tracks #9-14:
Lee Katzman, Al Porcino, Jack Hohmann, Ray Triscari (tp), Lew McCreary, Dave Wells (b-tp, tb), Med Flory (as, ts), Charlie Kennedy (as), Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca (ts), Bill Hood (bs), Russ Freeman (p), 'Red' Kelly (b), Mel Lewis (d).
Hollywood, California, on May 13, 1957
Personnel on tracks #15-19:
Conte Candoli (tp), replaces Katzman and Buddy Clark (b), replaces Kelly.
Hollywood, California, on October 8, 1957
Personnel on tracks #20-21:
Med Flory (as, oboe), Joe Maini (as, ts), Bob Hardaway, Bill Perkins, Bill Holman (ts), Bill Hood (bs), Russ Freeman (p), Jim Hall (g), 'Red' Kelly, Red Mitchell (b), Mel Lewis (d).
Hollywood, California, in December, 1959
Original sessions produced by Albert Marx
Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol
