Gravy Waltz

Product Description:

Personnel includes: Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, Laurindo Almeida (guitar); Roy Eldridge (trumpet); Stuff Smith (violin); Andre Previn (piano); Ray Brown (bass).

Recorded in 1963-1964.

Herb Ellis is one of the best mainstream jazz guitarists of all time, a disciple of Charlie Christian who adapted to the changes brought by the bop era. His style is all melodic grace and swing, dusted with the blues and touch of country twang (Ellis grew up in Texas). His career spans from the '50s through the '90s, and he's played with Oscar Peterson, Louis Armstrong, and Stan Getz, among others.

GRAVY WALTZ presents a fine cross-section of Ellis's craft from the early '60s. Ellis is joined by fellow masters Roy Eldridge, Shelly Manne, Ray Brown, and one of the very first jazz violinists ever, Stuff Smith. "I Told Ya I Love Ya, Now Get Out!" has Ellis suavely gliding over a shuffling bossa nova framework, playing as cool as the other side of the pillow. "Down By the Water Tank" proves the sound of the blues in never far from the core of his playing, and "Chung King" features Ellis in tandem with acoustic guitarist Charlie Byrd. On the latter, Ellis anticipates the style of Latin-rock pioneer/guitarist Carlos Santana by a good five or six years. Fans of mainstream jazz and guitar fans will find this GRAVY most satisfying.