The two LPs compiled here are among the best works by the late Jack Montrose (1926-2006), a fine tenor sax player, remarkable jazz composer and arranger, and a key figure in the 1950s West Coast jazz movement. The first includes Montrose’s extended work Concertino da Camera (subtitled Blues and Vanilla), his most ambitious project, devised within an essentially contrapuntal structure. The quintet sides prove the cleverly conceived aspects of his compositional concepts, with their sense of symmetry in the use thematic material. Montrose is accompanied here by some strong voices—with a high level of individual performance—such as Joe Maini, Shelly Manne, Jim Hall, Barney Kessel, and Red Norvo. The interplay, sympathy and good feeling between them are something to hear—and one that—doesn’t pall with repeated hearings.

[1 & 5] Blues And Vanilla (Vic LPM1451)
Joe Maini (as) Jack Montrose (ts) Red Norvo (vib) Buddy Clark (b), Shelly Manne (d).
Los Angeles, December 24, 1956

[6-17] The Horn’s Full (LPM1572)
Same Personnel As Above
Los December 26, 1956 & September 10-11, 1957.

Tracks: 01. Concertino da Camera (Blues and Vanilla), 02. Bockhanal, 03. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, 04. Dandy Line, 05. For the Fairest 06. Crazy She Calls Me, 07. Dark Angel, 08. Bernie’s Tune, 09. Headline 10. Rosanne, 11. Polka Dots and Moonbeams, 12. Little House, 13. Solid Citizen, 14. Do Nothin’ till Hear from Me, 15. True Blue, 16. Full, 17. Goody Goody