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.

Cannonball Adderley - "Blue Brass Groove"

Way back in May of 2011, I posted the B-side of this 45 and am happy to finally share the other side. This was another one that dad bought for the flip and I did not hear "Blue Brass Groove" much until more recently and I must say that I love it. It has such an uplifting feeling when I listen to it.
Both of these songs were included on Adderley's 1961 album, African Walt

Milt Jackson - " 'Round Midnight"

Remember "Namesake"? Well, here is that A-side that I mentioned way back in May of 2011. Hard to believe it's been over three years since I started this blog.

"'Round Midnight" is a 1944 jazz standard by pianist Thelonious Monk. It is the most-recorded jazz standard composed by a jazz musician.

Lionel Hampton - "Railroad No. 1"

You could not spend a better 9 cents than on this record by Lionel Hampton and his orchestra. This record swings a jazzy, instrumental blues groove that will have you bopping in no time.
This is the B side to this post from last year.

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 Jackson - Namesake

Milt Jackson at Parnell's Jazz Club, Seattle, WA, circa 1980
Photo by Steven M. O'Kelly


"Namesake" is the B-side of Riverside Records 45 R45479 'Round Midnight was the A-side, but dad marked the index card with the B-side cut because that was the song he bought the record for.
This NYC session from July 5, 1962 featured Ernie Royal, Clark Terry, Snooky Young (tp) Melba Liston, Tom McIntosh (tb) Willie Ruff (frh) Earl Warren (as) James Moody (ts) Jerome Richardson (ts, fl) Tate Houston (bars) Milt Jackson (vib) Hank Jones (p) Ron Carter (b) Connie Kay (d) Ernie Wilkins (arr, cond)

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.

Shorty Rogers - The Wild One e.p.

This  45 EP features the tunes Blues for Brando, Chino, The Wild One, and Windswept, from the movie starring Marlon Brando. Recorded 7/14/53. This is one of Maynard Furguson's earliest movie soundtracks. 
I have to admit, that I did not listen to this one much when I was young, but it has grown on me over the years.

Ray Bryant - Shake A Lady

Such a great record! Another one that I always wanted my dad to play back in the day when we lived in La Puente.
This Sue Records 45 is a different version than the one on the Cold Turkey album and the better one imhop.


The Ray Bryant Trio at this time consisted of Ray on piano, Jimmy Rowser on bass and Ben Riley on the skins.

Herbie Mann - Sports Cars

Not actually one of Dad's 45s, but one that made an impression on me nonetheless. The year was 1970 or 71 and I was across the street at my friend Tim Brown's house, listening to 45s in his room with he and his brother Mike. Tim put this one on and I immediately dug it. Years later, I searched the song out and found this promo 45 from 1968.

Herbie Mann was one of the greatest jazz flautists the world has ever known. His "Memphis Underground", "Push Push" and of course, "Hijack", which was a Billboard Number-one dance hit of 1975 are timeless groove records. This one is for you Tim!