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JAZZ AT THE PHILHARMONIC:THE FIRST TEN YEARS

Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 11/15/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Four discs-71,76,74,73 minutes each approximately,digitally remastered sound which is fairly clean and crisp. As the title says,this set is taken from the first ten years(1944-1953) of what became a jazz institution. Almost every tune is now known as a standard,or if not,at least a well known jazz composition. The cast of players is to long to list here,but anyone with a knowledge of this era will know most(Parker,Young,Hawkins,Peterson,Rich,to name a few) if not all the names.



However,if you're new to this music-are you in for a treat. Just about anyone who was important in this era is represented here. The tunes themselves are more often than not used as jumping off points for a jam session in a live setting. The few that aren't,are played fairly straight forward as when Billie Holiday sings(several tracks on disc two some with piano accompaniment only)which are a welcome respite from the intense instrumental fire-power of the other players. This is the period when "modern" jazz was mixed with a foundation of the blues. The combination is hard to resist,and everyone will have their favorites in this set.



The booklet is informative,especially for someone coming to this music for the first time. If you are familiar with this music there are still bits of information that make for good reading. As usual the Proper folks have done a pretty good packaging job-the discs are in individual cardboard sleeves(I wish they were paper lined),the booklet lists just about anything concerning this set,and the outer box is sturdy cardboard.



It's hard to believe that the price is low,especially for something imported from England. For jazz lovers it's good that this music is out of copyright in Europe. So don't let the price fool you into thinking this is a sub-standard set-far from it. I hope Proper Records continues with another set starting where this one left off-for this is music that will always be listened to and marveled at as long as anyone appreciates good jazz."

JATP Revisted

Ross Firestone | New York, NY | 08/23/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
A very good overview of the early years of Jazz at the Philharmonic. Generous portions of Charlie Parker, Lester Young and many of the other giants who strode the earth, including such underheard jazz greats as Mel Powell, Les Paul and Nat Cole, who leaves behind the vocals and plays straight ahead swinging piano. Like all Proper Boxes, the set is a real bargain, well over four hours of music for a very nominal sum."