Buddy De Franco

Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw were among the most famous and beloved figures in swing music both as clarinet soloists and orchestra conductors. They were still very active musically in 1957, when Buddy De Franco decided to record a series of sessions paying homage to them. Thirty-five performances were recorded (including four medleys containing three songs each) in four extended sessions made on four consecutive days and with two different groups (guitarist Barney Kessel, however, is present on most of the tracks). The first two sessions included trumpeter Don Fagerquist, tenor saxophonist Georgie Auld and pianist Carl Perkins. The second group includes trumpeter Ray Linn and another modern jazz pianist: Jimmy Rowles.

This release and its companion (I Hear Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw PHN- 144740) include the complete 5 original LPs: I Hear Benny Goodman & Artie Shaw, Buddy De Franco plays Benny Goodman, Buddy De Franco plays Artie Shaw, Wholly Cats and Closed Session.

PERSONNEL:

• BUDDY DE FRANCO, clarinet on all tracks, plus:

• ON TRACKS (1-7):
• DON FAGERQUIST, trumpet
• GEORGIE AULD, tenor sax
• VICTOR FELDMAN, vibraphone
• CARL PERKINS, piano
• BARNEY KESSEL, guitar
• LEROY VINNEGAR, bass
• STAN LEVEY, drums
• Los Angeles,October 31, 1957.

• ON TRACKS (8-14):
• RAY LINN, trumpet
• PAUL SMITH, piano
• BARNEY KESSEL, guitar on 8-11
• HOWARD ROBERTS, guitar on 12-14
• JOE MONDRAGON, bass
• MILT HOLLAND, drums
• Los Angeles,October 31, 1957.

TRACKS:

• 01. Benny’s Bugle
• 02. A Smooth One
• 03. Air Mail Special
• 04. More Than You Know
• 05. Wholly Cats
• 06. Goodbye
• 07. Seven Come Eleven
• 08. My Blue Heaven
• 09. Stardust
• 10. Cross Your Heart
• 11. Frenesi
• 12. Medley: Dancing in the Dark / Moonglow / Time on my Hands
• 13. Indian Love Call
• 14. Summit Ridge Drive

• TOTAL TIME: 72:52 Min.