Search - Shelly Manne, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims :: Live 1956 & 1957

It's In the Air

Warren Weise | Lakeville, MN United States | 07/31/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"OK, so the sound quality is not terrific...these are airchecks from radio broadcasts from the '50's...and none of the artists involved had hit their creative peaks, but it's still very enjoyable music. It's always revealing to hear the early work of major artists to see where they were as developing musicians. All of them had managed to emerge from the herd at this stage of their careers and were beginning to firmly establish their own styles and identities. The emotional sound of Getz's ballads and the energy in up-tempo tunes, the intricate compositions and arrangements of the Manne group and the from-the-hip-pocket easy swing of Zoot are all very much in evidence. And, while we just hear a snippet, Sims proves once again that he could have been a major influence on alto had he chosen to spend more time with that horn. Is this CD for the casual jazz fan? Perhaps not, but it should be in the collection of jazz listeners who take pleasure in following the creative growth of important artists."