Shorty Rogers is best known on the international jazz scene as a symbol of West Coast Jazz. However, this is a very incomplete picture, for his talents and interests extended far beyond the rather limited concept originally denoted by that term. His work around Hollywood also included a series of major studio assignments, orchestrating, playing, and a broad variety of recording ventures of his own, including, among others, big band writing and movie scores. In 1958, attracted by the wild brassy sounds of the Pérez Prado orchestra and its fierce Afro-Cuban rhythms, he assembled a jazz big band, along with eight percussionists, in an adventurous, electrifying album called Afro-Cuban Influence.
A year later he was engaged to compose the movie soundtrack of the MGM production Tarzan, the Ape Man. It produced another accomplished Rogers score, this time with a jungle-like atmosphere. All the ingredients and devices that distinguished his characteristic big band writing are here, propelled by a volcanic drum section, and garnished with atmospheric solos over the orchestral background. This excellent soundtrack later became the equally admirable album Shorty Rogers Meets Tarzan.
Tracklist
Total time: 75:57 min.
01. Wuayacañjanga Suite (Rogers-Vidal-Duran) 22:01
02. Manteca (Pozo-Gillespie-Fuller) 9:04
03. Moon Over Cuba (Ellington-Tizol) 4:13
04. Viva Puente (Rogers) 3:39
05. Un Poco Loco (Powell) 3:36
06. The Elephants Wail (Rogers) 3:24
07. Los Barbaros (Rogers) 1:38
08. Paradise Found (Rogers) 3:02
09. Trapped (Rogers) 1:54
10. Los Primitivos (Rogers) 2:12
11. Oomgawa (Rogers) 3:23
12. Tarzanic Suite (Rogers) 17:33
Album details
Sources:
Tracks #1-5 from the RCA Victor album
"Afro-Cuban Influence" (LSP-1763)
Tracks #6-12 from the MGM album
"Shorty Rogers Meets Tarzan" (ES-3798)
Music from the motion picture
'Tarzan, The Ape Man' composed & conducted
by Shorty Rogers
Personnel on "Afro-Cuban Influence":
Shorty Rogers (flgh), Al Porcino, Buddy Childers, Ed Leddy, Don Fagerquist, Ray Triscari (tp),,Frank Rosolino, Harry Betts (tb), Bob Enevoldsen (v-tb), George Roberts & Kenny Schroyer (b-tb), Bud Shank (fl, as), Herb Geller (as), Bob Cooper (oboe, ts), Bill Hood (ts, bs, Chuck Gentry (bs), Joe Mondragon (b),, Shelly Manne (d; Frank Guerrero (timbales), Carlos Vidal (conga), Modesto Durán, Luis Miranda (conga & perc), Mike Pacheco (bongos), Juan Cheda (bongos, vcl), Manuel Ochoa Kaskara (vcl & perc) and Sirelda González (maracas & vcl).
Recorded in Hollywood, California, on June 19 & 26, 1958.
Personnel on "Shorty Rogers Meets Tarzan":
Shorty Rogers (flgh); Al Porcino, Buddy Childers, Don Fagerquist, Ollie Mitchell (tp), Frank Rosolino, Harry Betts (tb), Bob Enevoldsen (v-tb), Marshall Cram (b-tb), Bud Shank (fl, as), Bill Perkins (fl, ts), Bob Cooper (oboe, ts), Bill Holman (ts), Bill Hood (ts, bs), Chuck Gentry (bs); Pete Jolly (p), Buddy Clark (b), Frank Capp (d), Frank Guerrero (timbales), Modesto Durán, Rafael Rosario (congas) and Chacho González (bongos).
Recorded in Hollywood, California, on September 23 & 29, 1959.
Original recordings produced by Dick Peirce (#1-5),
and Jesse Kaye (#6-12).
Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.
24-Bit Digitally Remastered
