Chamber Jazz Sextet Plays Pal Joey CD

The Chamber Jazz Sextet, an intriguing West Coast cool jazz group from the 1950s, consisted of Dent Hand (on trumpet and bass); altoist Frank Leal; Modesto Briseno on clarinet, tenor, and baritone; Allyn Ferguson on piano and French horn; bassist Fred Dutton doubling on bassoon; and drummer Tom Reynolds. On this 1958 CD reissue, they play jazz versions of songs from the Rodgers & Hart score to the film Pal Joey. The original play had "I Could Write a Book" as its best-known song, but the movie also added some Rodgers & Hart hits from earlier productions, including "There's a Small Hotel," "My Funny Valentine," "The Lady Is a Tramp," and "I Didn't Know What Time It Was." All of those songs plus three others are performed by the Chamber Jazz Sextet in concise, colorful, and swinging versions, arranged by Allyn Ferguson and Bill Holman. Fun music. ~ Scott Yanow

Allyn Ferguson's Chamber Jazz Sextet obviously catered for the listener who appreciated a deft blending of writing and improvising skills. Ferguson scored six of the pieces, calling in Bill Holman to arrange 'Lady is a Tramp' and 'I Could Write A Book.'

Recorded in Hollywood, California on June 3, 1958. Includes liner notes by Alun Morgan.

Chamber Jazz Sextet: Modesto Briseno (clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Fred Dutton (bassoon, electric bass); Frank Leal (alto saxophone); Dent Hand (trumpet, electric bass); Allyn Ferguson (French horn, piano); Tom Reynolds (drums).

Chamber Jazz Sextet: Frank Leal (alto saxophone), Modesto Briseno (clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone), Dent Hand (trumpet, bass), Allyn Ferguson (French horn, piano), Fred Dutton (bass, bassoon), Tom Reynolds (drums).