John Kirby - The Chronological Classics, Complete, 4 Albums

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 O'Neil 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 Henderson's Orchestra. He was one of the better bassists of the '30s, playing with Henderson (1930-1933 and 1935-1936) and Chick Webb's 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 (Kirby's wife at the time) offering occasional vocals, the John Kirby Sextet was quite popular during 1938-1942. Shavers' "Undecided" became a hit and the band's 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 Kirby's 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 Sextet's recordings during its prime years (1938-1943) has the group's 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 O'Neil Spencer (who took an occasional vocal). The group's 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. Anitra's 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 You're 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 Kirby's unique sextet. The band, comprised of trumpeter Charlie Shavers, clarinetist Buster Bailey, altoist Russell Procope, pianist Billy Kyle, drummer O'Neil 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. Can't We Be Friends? (2:38)
14. Then I'll 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 Kirby's 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 O'Neil 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. Bugler's Dilemma (2:34)
05. It's Only A Paper Moon (3:10)
06. Fifi's Rhapsody (3:00)
07. Night Whispers (3:03)
08. Tweed Me (2:49)
09. Move Over (2:47)
10. Wondering Where (2:45)
11. Schubert's Serenade (2:32)
12. Toselli's 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. Can't 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 band's 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 O'Neil Spencer's 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 group's 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 Kirby's 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. I'm 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. Schubert's Serenade (2:49)
23. Sextet From Lucia (2:39)