The

JAZZ IN HOLLYWOOD

Series

First in the series was the Herbie Harper Quintet, with Herbie on trombone, Bob Gordon on baritone
sax, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Harry Babasin on bass, and Roy Harte on drums. This album, rated four stars in
Downbeat, April 21, 1954, features session musicians who were nationally, well established,
leading jazz contemporaries in Hollywood. It presented a solid beginning for a new and previously
unknown jazz record label and a definitive introduction to the "west coast jazz movement".

The second in the series was the Bud Shank Quintet. This marked the first time Bud actually fronted
a group. It also features the first recorded alto flute in jazz - played by Bud - and the first recorded
fluglehorn in jazz - played by Shorty Rogers. The rhythm section - once again - was Rowles, Babasin
and Harte. This time, Nocturne garnered a five star rating in Downbeat, June 2, 1954. This review
actually questioned the existence of "...such an entity as 'west coast jazz' " though they agreed it
was "...fine work by any definition, geographical or just musical." History was in the making.

Own the Nocturne collection!

More Jazz in Hollywood - Harry Babasin - Roy Harte

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