John Kirby - The Chronological Classics: 1938-1946 '1994

Tracks list

John Kirby led a most unusual group during the height of the big-band era, a
sextet comprised of trumpeter Charlie Shavers, clarinetist Buster Bailey,
altoist Russell Procope, pianist Billy Kyle, drummer ONeil Spencer, and his own
bass. Although Shavers and Bailey could be quite extroverted, the tightly
arranged ensembles tended to be very cool-toned and introverted yet virtuosic.
Kirby, originally a tuba player, switched to bass in 1930 when he joined
Fletcher Hendersons Orchestra. He was one of the better bassists of the 30s,
playing with Henderson (1930-1933 and 1935-1936) and Chick Webbs big band
(1933-1935). By 1937, Kirby had his own group at the Onyx Club; Frankie Newton
and Pete Brown passed through the band before the personnel was set. With Maxine
Sullivan (Kirbys wife at the time) offering occasional vocals, the John Kirby
Sextet was quite popular during 1938-1942. Shavers Undecided became a hit and
the bands abilities to swing the classics caught on. The sextet gradually
declined in the 40s. Spencer became ill and was replaced by Specs Powell and
later Bill Beason, Kyle was drafted and Procope was replaced by George Johnson.
By 1945, after with Shavers departure to join Tommy Dorsey, the only original
members still in the group were Bailey and Kirby himself. The following year the
band disbanded and despite some attempts by the bassist to form another similar
sextet (including a poorly attended Carnegie Hall reunion in 1950), John Kirby
was never able to duplicate his earlier successes. Classics has reissued all of
Kirbys prime recordings.


Tracks:



John Kirby And His Orchestra - 1938-1939 {The Chronological Classics, 750} 

The first of three Classics CDs reissuing all of the John Kirby Sextets
recordings during its prime years (1938-1943) has the groups earliest 22
recordings. Although the first five numbers were originally issued under the
name John Kirby & His Onyx Club Boys, the famous personnel were already in
place: bassist Kirby, trumpeter Charlie Shavers (then only 21), altoist Russell
Procope, clarinetist Buster Bailey, pianist Billy Kyle, and drummer ONeil
Spencer (who took an occasional vocal). The groups unique cool-toned sound,
tricky ensembles, and often atmospheric music definitely stood out during an era
dominated by loud big bands. There are quite a few classics on this CD,
including Rehearsin for a Nervous Breakdown, the original version of Shavers
Undecided, Dawn on the Desert, Royal Garden Blues, and Nocturne. Highly
recommended, as are the two other Classics Kirby discs.

01. Rehearsin For A Nervous Breakdown (2:41)
02. From A Flat To C (2:37)
03. Pastel Blue (3:11)
04. Undecided (3:02)
05. By The Waters Of Minnetonka (3:10)
06. It Feels So Good (2:45)
07. Effervescent Blues (2:50)
08. The Turf (2:53)
09. Dawn On The Desert (2:55)
10. Anitras Dance (2:48)
11. Sweet Georgia Brown (2:51)
12. Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes (3:00)
13. Minute Wlatz (2:33)
14. Front And Center (2:57)
15. Royal Garden Blues (2:33)
16. Opus 5 (2:49)
17. Fantasy Impromptu (2:39)
18. Blue Skies (2:40)
19. Rose Room (In Sunny Roseland) (2:38)
20. I May Be Wrong (But I Think Youre Wonderful) (3:02)
21. Little Brown Jug (2:46)
22. Nocturne (2:44)



John Kirby And His Orchestra - 1939-1941 {The Chronological Classics, 770} 

The second of three Classics John Kirby CDs has 23 more titles in the history of
Kirbys unique sextet. The band, comprised of trumpeter Charlie Shavers,
clarinetist Buster Bailey, altoist Russell Procope, pianist Billy Kyle, drummer
ONeil Spencer, and the bassist/leader, performed cool-toned chamber jazz more
than a decade before it became popular, and carved out its own unusual niche
during the big-band era. The tight ensembles and brief solos brought out the
best in each of the players. Highlights of this highly recommended disc include
Humoresque, Jumpin in the Pump Room, Chloe, Sextet From Lucia, and Zooming at
the Zombie.

01. One Alone (2:50)
02. Humoresque (2:17)
03. Serenade (2:35)
04. Jumpin In The Pump Room (2:51)
05. Milumbu (2:44)
06. You Go Your Way (3:16)
07. 20th Century Closet (2:50)
08. Temptation (3:11)
09. Blues Petite (3:12)
10. On A Little Street In Singapore (2:54)
11. Chloe (2:48)
12. Andiology (2:47)
13. Cant We Be Friends? (2:38)
14. Then Ill Be Happy (2:52)
15. I Love You Truly (2:59)
16. Frasquita Serenade (2:41)
17. Sextet From Lucia (2:34)
18. Coquette (2:57)
19. Zooming At The Zombie (2:41)
20. Bounce Of The Sugar Plum Fairy (2:24)
21. Beethoven Riffs On (2:52)
22. Double Talk (2:33)
23. Cuttin The Campus (2:57)



John Kirby And His Orchestra - 1941-1943 {The Chronological Classics, 792}  

The third John Kirby CD from the European Classics label has 21 performances
that trace Kirbys unique sextet from the peak of its popularity in 1941 through
the war years. In addition to a dozen songs originally released by Victor, this
set has nine rarer numbers that appeared on V-Discs. With trumpeter Charlie
Shavers, clarinetist Buster Bailey, and altoist Russell Procope (along with
pianist Billy Kyle and drummer ONeil Spencer), Kirby was able to form an unusual
and very distinctive group sound that, although comprised of swing virtuosos,
looked toward the cool jazz of the 1950s. The band was starting to come apart a
bit by the later tracks of this CD, with first Specs Powell and then Bill Beason
replacing the late Spencer, George Johnson ably filling in for Procope, and
Shavers departing before the final number; however, the group sound remained
intact. Among the many highlights of this CD are Coquette, Royal Garden Blues,
Night Whispers, St. Louis Blues, and 9:20 Special.

01. Coquette (3:02)
02. Royal Garden Blues (1:45)
03. Close Shave (2:32)
04. Buglers Dilemma (2:34)
05. Its Only A Paper Moon (3:10)
06. Fifis Rhapsody (3:00)
07. Night Whispers (3:03)
08. Tweed Me (2:49)
09. Move Over (2:47)
10. Wondering Where (2:45)
11. Schuberts Serenade (2:32)
12. Tosellis Serenade (1:47)
13. Keep Smilin (3:09)
14. Comin Back (2:42)
15. No Blues At All (2:03)
16. St. Louis Blues (2:46)
17. Do You Savvy (3:09)
18. Tunisian Trail (3:33)
19. 9:20 Special (2:49)
20. Crossroads (2:18)
21. Cant We Be Friends? (2:41)



John Kirby And His Orchestra - 1945-1946 {The Chronological Classics, 964} 

The fourth and final Classics CD to reissue all of the studio recordings of the
John Kirby Sextet features the bands very rare 1945-1946 performances,
originally released by the Asch, Crown, Disc, and Apollo labels. The personnel
of the classic unit had changed, with only the bassist/leader and clarinetist
Buster Bailey still present on all of the numbers (although altoist Russell
Procope and pianist Billy Kyle are on half the selections). Trumpeters Emmett
Berry, Clarence Brererton, and George Taitt do their best to fill in for the
departed Charlie Shavers; drummer Bill Beason was the late ONeil Spencers
permanent replacement; other musicians making appearances include altoists
George Johnson and Hilton Jefferson, tenor saxophonist Budd Johnson (who makes
the sextet a septet on six songs), and pianists Ram Ramirez and Hank Jones. The
young Sarah Vaughan is featured on four selections (including classic renditions
of You Go to My Head and It Might as Well Be Spring), and the forgotten Shirley
Moore takes two vocals. Although the groups sound had not changed and there are
some colorful arrangements, Shavers muted yet fiery trumpet was definitely
missed. This valuable release is recommended after acquiring Kirbys first three
Classics CDs.

01. Passipied (2:36)
02. Mop Mop (3:06)
03. K.C. Caboose (2:19)
04. Maxine Dengoza (2:37)
05. 920 Special (2:57)
06. J.K. Special (2:45)
07. Im Scared (2:35)
08. You Go To My Head (3:03)
09. I Could Make You Love Me (2:47)
10. It Might As Well Be Spring (3:01)
11. Desert Sands (3:16)
12. Move Over (2:35)
13. Slowly (3:01)
14. My Old Flame (3:04)
15. Close Shave (2:35)
16. Campus (2:46)
17. Freedom Blues (3:39)
18. Sampson And De-Lie-Lah (2:41)
19. Natchez Ball (2:58)
20. Ripples (2:32)
21. Peanut Vendor Boogie (2:39)
22. Schuberts Serenade (2:49)
23. Sextet From Lucia (2:39)

Related artists