LP-643

Red Rodney - Red Rodney Returns

Released 1959

Recording and Session Information

Red Rodney, trumpet; Billy Root, tenor saxophone; Danny Kent, piano; Jay Cave, bass; Frank Young, drums
February 16/17 1959

9177 5709
9178 Red hot and blue
9179 Whirlwind
9180 Two by two
9181 Shelley
9182 I remember you
9183 Shaw 'nuff
9184 Jordu

Track Listing

Shaw Nuff	Dizzy Gillespie	February 16/17 1959
Red Hot And Blue	Danny Kent	February 16/17 1959
I Remember You	Mercer, Schertinger	February 16/17 1959
5709	Danny Kent	February 16/17 1959
Whirlwind	Danny Kent	February 16/17 1959
Jordu	Duke Jordan	February 16/17 1959
Shelley	Danny Kent	February 16/17 1959
Two By Two	Jay Cave	February 16/17 1959

Liner Notes

The late Harvey Husten once said, "Some day some bright-eyed historian is going to write a definitive work on the music and musicians of our time. I hope he has enough savvy to include a generous chapter paying tribute to the people who made it commercially, and then found they couldn't stomach it, and began the long. tedious, and sometimes painful struggle to make it all over again — but this time playing, or singing, or writing the things they sincerely believed in; things that were inspired from the heart rather than the bank balance."

Although Harvey Husten never met Red Rodney, I am sure he had the "Red Rodneys" in mind when writing the above. I had the pleasure to see and hear the birth of this quintet in the winter of '58 at the Philadelphia area's leading jazz room (The Red Hill Inn); first heard as a replacement for an ailing Oscar Peterson — then by overwhelming demand heard at "the Hill" for as many as ten consecutive weeks.

This is the first the record world has heard from Red Rodney in some time, hence the title, "Red Rodney Returns." It does not mean a return to the jazz scene, as Red has been quite involved in the jazz scene for the past sixteen years.

Just a brief resume: At the age of 16, Red worked with Benny Goodman, his first professional job. He also spent much time with the big bands of Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa, Elliot lÄwrcncc. Woody Herman (during the Four Brothers era) and the avant guard Claude Thornhill band during the time that Gil Evans was contributing greatly to the book—

And of course three years with Charlie Parker.

About the music and the musicians: Billy Root (tenor) calls Philadelphia his home, as do all the men on this date. Billy had a wealth of experience with the big bands Of Stan Kenton (with whom he is currently on the road) and Dizzy Gillespie, prior to his association with Red.

Jay Cave (bass) played oboe with the Pittsburgh Symphonic Orchestra, and has played bass for Chris Connor and Terry Morrel among others.

On this set "Two by Two" is a Cave Original.

Danny Kent (piano) is originally from Boston, where, for three years, he played house piano at Storyville. He also did many arrangements for the Herb Pomeroy Band. "5709"..."Red Hot & Blue"..."Everything Good"...and "Whirlwind" are all Kent compositions.

Frank Young (drummer) has played with the late Herbie Fields and Jimmy Dorsey, but for Frank, this is his first recording session.

SID MARK
Radio WHAT-FM, Pbildelphia, Pa.