John Handy
In the Vernacular + No Coast Jazz (FSRCD 647)
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In the Vernacular + No Coast Jazz
John Handy
Fresh Sound Records
8427328606479
ZZZ 126373
FSRCD 647
JAZZ
1
In the Vernacular + No Coast Jazz
Currently unavailable
2 LPs ON 1 CD
The two albums on this CD were the first John Handy recorded as a leader. This young alto saxophonist – he also plays tenor on the first album -from Texas had gained exposure and experience working with Charles Mingus and Randy Weston in 1959. “They taught me self-confidence,” he said, and these recordings are full of it.
His flawlessly controlled playing is strong and inventively contemporary without succumbing to the tyranny of Bird. For his well-received leader debut, In the Vernacular, he shared the front line with the brilliant trumpeter Richard Williams supported by a near-perfect rhythm section with pianist Roland Hanna.
On the second album, No Coast Jazz, Handy is the consistent focal point of a quartet in which, like pianist Don Friedman, he uses a melodic, gentle style, building a singing, emotional quality saved from sentimentality by the cutting edge of his tone - at times he even recalls a more temperate Ornette Coleman as he slashes his way through piercingly angular passages.
Both albums stand as markers of a great, singular and stimulating jazz talent.The two albums on this CD were the first John Handy recorded as a leader. This young alto saxophonist – he also plays tenor on the first album -from Texas had gained exposure and experience working with Charles Mingus and Randy Weston in 1959. “They taught me self-confidence,” he said, and these recordings are full of it.
singular and stimulating jazz talent.
His flawlessly controlled playing is strong and inventively contemporary without succumbing to the tyranny of Bird. For his well-received leader debut, In the Vernacular, he shared the front line with the brilliant trumpeter Richard Williams supported by a near-perfect rhythm section with pianist Roland Hanna.
On the second album, No Coast Jazz, Handy is the consistent focal point of a quartet in which, like pianist Don Friedman, he uses a melodic, gentle style, building a singing, emotional quality saved from sentimentality by the cutting edge of his tone - at times he even recalls a more temperate Ornette Coleman as he slashes his way through piercingly angular passages.
Both albums stand as markers of a great, singular and stimulating jazz talent.The two albums on this CD were the first John Handy recorded as a leader. This young alto saxophonist – he also plays tenor on the first album -from Texas had gained exposure and experience working with Charles Mingus and Randy Weston in 1959. “They taught me self-confidence,” he said, and these recordings are full of it.
singular and stimulating jazz talent.
PERSONNEL:
1-8] John Handy’s Quintet
John Handy (as, ts on ##1,2,4,6), Richard Williams (tp), Sir Roland Hanna (p),
George Tucker (b), Roy Haynes (d), Bobby Fuhlrodt (d, only on ##2).
Recorded in New York City, late 1959.
Personnel on [9-14]
[9-14] John Handy Quartet
John Handy (as), Don Friedman (p), Bill Lee (b) and Lex Humphries (d).
Recorded in New York City, Summer 1960.
Sources:
[1-8] from the original Roulette album In the Ver·nac'u·lar (S) R52042
[9-14] from the original Roulette album No Coast Jazz (S) R52058
Tracks:
01. I’ll Close My Eyes (Keyes-Reid) 3:21
02. First Time (Handy) 7:41
03. Suggested Line (Handy) 5:27
04. Problem Too (Handy) 4:24
05. Quote, Unquote (Handy) 3:06
06. Blues in the Vernacular (Handy) 5:06
07. Dance to the Lady (Handy) 5:13
08. I’ll Never Smile Again (Lowe) 3:36
09. To Randy (Handy) 6:16
10. Tales of Paradise (Handy) 4:53
11. Boo’s Ups and Downs (Handy) 8:15
12. Hi Number (Handy) 6:59
13. Pretty Side Avenue (Handy) 5:29
14. No Coast (Handy) 6:29
Total time: 75:00 min. aprox.
All tunes composed by John Handy, except otherwise noted
