Milt Buckner - "Two Flights Up"

Back in May of 2011, I posted the other side of this record by the late, great Milt Buckner.

One of the fathers of the funky organ sound and one of the inspirations for George Shearing's "locked hands" style of playing. Buckner played with McKinney's Cotton Pickers in the 1930s, then spent most of the 1940s with Lionel Hampton's big band. He struck out on his own, leading an unsuccessful big band that folded in 1949. He rejoined Hamp briefly, then left again to lead a trio. He recorded several classic albums for Capitol in the mid-1950s. Buckner pioneered the use of the electric organ as a substitute for a brass section, which proved an effective economy measure as the big band era ended. He began touring in Europe in the early 1960s, and gradually shifted most of his appearances there. In the early 1970s, he teamed with another Hampton alumnus, tenor sax man Illinois Jacquet, and they recorded a number of albums for European labels.

Ramsey Lewis Trio - "Iracy Blues"

Here again is the Ramsey Lewis Trio, doing a little thing called "Iracy Blues". I love the stand up bass lines, which I believe were played by Eldee Young.

Lewis performing at JazzFe 2006. Photo by Tomas Forgac

Ramsey Lewis Trio - "Delilah"

Here's a nice one from 1958, by the Ramsey Lewis Trio, released on the Argo label.

Set up in Chicago, 1955 as the jazz subsidiary of Chess Records, Argo Records changed its name to Cadet Records in 1965, after the discovery of the UK based jazz, classical and spoken word label Argo Records that was already in existence.

Milt Buckner - After Hours

Milt Buckner (10 July 1915 – 27 July 1977) was an American jazz pianist and organist, originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He was orphaned as a child, but an uncle in Detroit (trombone player John Tobias) taught him to play. Buckner pioneered the parallel chords style which influenced Red Garland, George Shearing, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson.
He first played in Detroit with the McKinney Cotton Pickers and then with Cab Calloway. In 1941 he joined Lionel Hampton's big band ,and for the next seven years served as its pianist and staff arranger. He led a short-lived band of his own for two years, but then returned to Hampton's in 1950. In 1952, he formed his own group. He often played in Europe in the late 60's. Buckner pioneered the use of the electric organ. He died in Chicago, Illinois at the age of sixty-two.
Buckner's brother, Ted Buckner, was a noted jazz saxophonist. His band often played at The Huddle Eastland in West Covina back in it's heyday.
Here is After Hours from 1960 on Argo which was a Chess Records imprint label.

Mike Simpson Orchestra - Cuban Twilight / Argo Rock

I don't know much about Mike Simpson and his orchestra. Was he a clarinet player? Anyhoo, this nice little 45 on Argo was released in 1956 and features two instrumental numbers, Cuban Twilight & Argo Rock.
Argo Records was started in December of 1955 to accommodate some of the rapidly growing recording activity at Chess Records. Originally the label was called Marterry, but bandleader Ralph Marterie objected, and within a couple of months the imprint was renamed Argo. Initially, Argo offered a variety of music, including pop, blues, and even Calypso. Argo's first big hit was by New Orleans performer Clarence "Frogman" Henry, whose classic "Ain't Got No Home" came out in 1956. By 1957, Argo had become known for its jazz offerings. Jazz performers affiliated with the label included Ahmad Jamal, James Moody, King Fleming, and the Ramsey Lewis Trio. Major rhythm and blues performers on the label were Etta James and The Dells. Argo changed its name in 1965 to Cadet Records when the company discovered that an Argo Records already existed in the UK.