- There’ll Never Be Another You
- Ow!
- Wave
- Cottontail
- In A Mellow Tone
- Willow Weep for Me
- ‘S Wonderful
- Centrepiece
Harry "Sweets" Edison – Trumpet
Hendrik Meurkens – Vibes, Piano
Giorgio Crobu - Guitar
Kalli Gerhards – Bass
Torsten Zwingenberger – Drums
Recorded live on October 19th 1986 at the Quasimodo, Berlin
Harry "Sweets" Edison is one of those curious
figures in jazz that everyone knows by reputation, but few are aware
of his playing! He originally came to prominence in the Count Basie
band, where he developed the style of playing which he has used ever
since. He stayed with Basie from 1937 to 1950 and during that period
made the transition from section trumpet man to star soloist. He also
learned well the discipline of section playing and became one of the
most ‘in demand’ of studio session men in the USA, with all the demands
that that brings. Sweets can be heard in the backing orchestra of
many and he is on several of Frank Sinatra’s albums. It was not until
the 70’s that he returned to playing live sessions and touring and
his unique trumpet playing and engaging personality, made him popular
on the Jazz festival circuit.
On this record he is heard playing with the band
of drummer Torsten Zwingenberger and everyone sounds like they are
having a ball. The music swings from start to finish. According to
the sleeve note, Jo Jones the Basie band drummer said " Jazz
has to swing, basically it is a very simple thing, but there are things
that cannot be described and never have been. Swing is one of them"
How right he was, surely all jazz must pass the swing test, if it
can’t do that, is it jazz? This record passes the swing test, Edison
is 70 years old, but he played for long after this. The supporting
group is younger, but very empathetic toward his style of playing;
they are also good musicians and work well, both as soloists and rhythm
section members
Nice straight-ahead swing, very relaxing and enjoyable.
Don Mather
CD Reviews
Nagel Hayer CD083
