Hooray For Bix!

Personnel: Marty Grosz (vocals, guitar); Bob Skiver (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Frank Chace (baritone saxophone, clarinet); Turk Santos (cornet, guitar); Carl Halen (cornet); Harry Budd (trombone); Tut Soper (piano); Chuck Neilson (bass); Pepper Boggs (drums).

Recorded in Yellow Springs, Ohio in December 1957. Originally released on Riverside (1109). Includes liner notes by Joseph Muranyi.

Digitally remastered by Kirk Felton (1999, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).

Personnel: Marty Grosz (vocals, guitar); Turk Santos (guitar, cornet); Bob Skiver (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Frank Chace (clarinet, baritone saxophone); Carl Halen (cornet); Harry Budd (trombone); Tut Soper (piano); Pepper Boggs (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Kirk Felton.

Recording information: Yellow Springs, OH (10/1957-12/1957).

Marty Grosz emerged in the 1970s (first with Soprano Summit and then with a variety of freewheeling groups) as a chordal acoustic guitarist in the tradition of Dick McDonough and Carl Kress, a Fats Waller-inspired vocalist and (at least in concert) a very funny personality. However, he actually began back in the 1950s, sounding quite mature on this early effort from 1957. This tribute to Bix Beiderbecke (reissued on CD) has a dozen songs, recorded in the 1920s by the legendary cornetist, performed by Grosz (who takes a few vocals) with his Honoris Causa Jazz Band. The octet/nonet consists of four horn players (including cornetist Carl Halen and the Pee Wee Russell-influenced clarinetist and baritone saxophonist Frank Chace), a rhythm section with pianist Tut Soper, and Turk Santos sometimes on second cornet or guitar. The Dixielandish interpretations include such numbers as "Changes," "Sorry," "Clementine," and "For No Reason at All in 'C.'" Recommended. But why did it take Marty Grosz so long to catch on? ~ Scott Yanow

Genre:

• Jazz

Music Categories:

• Jazz Instrument: Guitar

Product Series:

• Fantasy Warehouse Clearance Sale