Bob Dorough

From the original liner notes:

The Arrangements

While the arrangements and conceptions should be credited chiefly to Bob Dorough, it is nevertheless to be stressed that a great deal of integrated creativity was brought to bear by the quartet members. Working at the time in (of all places) the Dickens Room in New York, they played through 'Oliver!' each evening, weighing and shifting approaches, until arriving at the ideal tempo and mood for each piece. There was a great attempt to get to the essence of the show and to give the listener their true feelings of the Lionel Bart score. Some of the songs seemed tailored for the addition of brass and we called upon the colorful voices of Tyree Glenn and Clark Terry. The show itself, as one must know by now, is an unqualified hit both in London (its origin) and currently on Broadway. The music offered amazingly gratifying ground for jazz improvisations. Dorough has cast Mr. Bart’s melodies and structures in a somewhat traditional mold throughout, never eschewing the straightforward and literal when called for. It is an unabashed rendition with an eye to keeping things varied, moving and interesting. We hope you enjoy your Excursion through "Oliver"!

The Musicians

Born in Cherry Hill, Arkansas in 1923, BOB DOROUGH first studied music as a clarinetist in the Plainview High School Band in West Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition at N.T.S. Teacher’s College, Denton, Texas, picking up piano on the way, and gaining much experience playing in various college and Army bands and groups. In 1949 he moved to New York for more study and experience. Since then he has traveled all over the states and Europe with Sugar Ray Robinson when that worthy was in show business. While in Paris, Bob began his work as a singer-pianist and since has worked in small intimate clubs in such cities as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. He is perhaps best known for his vocal LP on the Bethlehem label, Devil May Care and Jazz Canto, Vol. 1 on World Pacific. He has also functioned as arranger and composer having many jazz compositions and songs to his credit. A most recent success was as lyricist for Mel Torme’s biggest hit, Comin’ Home, Baby, the melody for which was supplied by our bassist, Ben Tucker.

AL SCHACKMAN, born in Brooklyn in 1933, had a brief and unhappy experience with the piano at seven. Eight years later he received his first guitar and, except for an avid interest in Astronomy, that has been his main love and interest ever since. He has worked for many years with Nina Simone, traveling and recording with her. In 1957, while playing with a group of Armenian musicians, Al steeped himself in mid-eastern music, and two years later while with Miss Simone he explored that music still further in acquiring a bouzoukee and performing on this instrument with her at the Village Gate. Al has also recorded with Peter Ind, Bill Russo and Olatunji and is presently engaged in composing. He hopes to further his studies in that direction while continuing to play. His close collaboration with Bob Dorough has resulted in a musical rapport between the two men that is unique in jazz playing and in bold evidence throughout this recording.

BEN TUCKER, of Nashville, Tenn., first played trumpet and tuba in high school. Later at Tenn. State he switched to string bass but was self-taught, there being no instructor on that instrument available there. A four and one half year Air Force stint landed Ben in L.A. where he worked and gained experience with such men as Art Pepper, Bill Holman, Gerald Wiggins, Jimmy Rowles, Chico Hamilton, Warne Marsh and Freddi Gambrell. In 1959 he decided to try his luck in the jazz mecca, New York where he made a distinguished mark for himself as a bassist, having recorded with Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, Lou Donaldson, Marion McPartland, Dave Bailey, Jr. Mance, Roland Hanna, Billy Taylor, Yusef Lateef and Gerry Mulligan. He has toured South America and Japan with Chris Connors.

BOBBY THOMAS, the youngest man in the group, has gained an amazing facility and depth in a short time. He was born in Newark, N.J. and has played drums since the age of twelve. He earned a B.S. a Juilliard where he studied percussion with the great Saul Goodman, and also distinguished himself in composing for various percussion ensembles. He has worked and recorded with many great jazzmen including Richard Williams, Paul Desmond, Jr. Mance, Wes Montgomery, Roland Hanna, Ronnell Bright and others. He also toured Europe with the Jerome Robbins Ballets U.S.A., where he played both tympani and jazz drums.