Released: 2013 | Formats: CD & Digital
Birmingham Jazz Festival A Night To Remember Vol 1
$9.97 – $14.97
Introduction; Frankie and Johnnie; Sweet and Lovely; That Old Black Magic; Willow Weep For Me; A Smooth One; Walkin’; How High The Moon
The Birmingham Jazz Festival is a well-known tradition in the Michigan Region, not dis-similar to the archive recordings and productions of the “Jazz at the Philharmonic” series originally presented by Norman Granz in New York.
As you listen to these classic recordings, you will at once be enthralled by the infectious groove and be transported to those memorable moments in the 1960s in Birmingham, Michigan
–Al Trainer
Junior Mance Piano
Nick Fiore Bass
J.C. Heard Drums
Sandy Mosse Tenor Sax
About “Birmingham Jazz Festival A Night to Remember Vol 1”
During the ’50s, Usher joined with Dizzy Gillespie to found Dee Gee Records and later became a jazz A&R man for Argo/Chess,
producing such artists as Ahmad Jamal and James Moody. In 1960, as impresario, he managed to put together an eclectic package that included pianist Junior Mance; harmonica player and guitarist “Toots” Thielemans, drummer J. C. Heard, tenor saxophonist Sandy Mosse, and vibist Lem Winchester. Among the local players were pianists Bess Bonnier and Johnny Griffith, bassist Nick Fiore and drummer Dick Riordan.
In the late ’50s, Sandy Mosse was profiled in Downbeat in an article with this promising title: “Mosse Grows: A Warm, Fluent Tenor Saxophonist Is Finally Being Heard After Long Struggle.” He received an award from the magazine as well as one from Playboy, at that point almost as concerned with jazz as with curves. Mosse was able to tour Europe with his own groups as well as with others as a guest soloist. A highlight was his appearance at the North Sea Jazz Festival.
As the ’50s wound down and rock & roll became more popular, Mosse was heard more frequently tucked into the ranks of big bands such as that led by the demanding drummer Buddy Rich, or high-note trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. He continued working in Chicago into the ’60s, including appearing in the band of Dave Remington.
