Frank Rosolino - Fond Memories Of... (1996)

Bass – Jaques Schols; Drums – John Engels; Orchestra – Metropole Orchestra; Piano – Louis Van Dyke. Recorded June 1973 and May 1975 at Radio NOS Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands.

This album brings together two Rosolino recording sessions made in the Netherlands during 1973 and 1975 which sat somewhere for 20 years. One of jazz's premier players, this album displays Rosolino's unique facility with the trombone. Although he died tragically in 1978, he remains a major influence on the way the slide instrument is played. The opening cut sets the tone with a 13 minute plus exploration of all the nooks and crannies of "All the Things You Are." This is followed by a similar in-depth improvisional probe of "My Funny Valentine." Although the Metropole Orchestra is highlighted on the album cover, it is present on just 2 of the 7 tracks . One of them, "Violets," was written especially for Rosolino by Jerry Van Rooyen. On this track, and on the other backed by the Metropole Orch., Rosolino plays with long, clean, melodic lines, putting out the mellow sound unique to the trombone. For the remaining cuts, Rosolino is backed by the Louis Van Dyke Trio collaborating on Jerry Van Rooyen's arrangements. Rosolino uses strong staccato attack on all of these tunes, spurred on by Van Dyke's driving piano. Van Dyke does not permit any lapse into a softer playing style. ~Dave Nathan