Two classic Capitol albums by Serge Chaloff
on one CD – both of them great together! Blue Serge is a classic Capitol jazz session, and one that pairs Boston baritone player Serge Chaloff with an LA rhythm section that has Sonny Clark
on piano, Leroy Vinnegar
on bass, and Philly Joe Jones
on drums. The album's a perfect example of Chaloff's legendary (and short-lived) talents
on the baritone – and listening to it, you'll hear how Chaloff was one of the few players ever to
get such a rich tone and fluid style out of the instrument. Titles include "How About You?", "Handful Of Stars", "The Goof & I", "Susie's Blues", and "All The Things You Are". Boston Blow Up is one of a number produced by Stan Kenton for Capitol at the time, but it's far from the cooler jazz outings of other "Kenton Presents" sessions – a real Boston Blow up that has Serge standing starkly out front
on the baritone, hitting some tremendous notes that show a command and dexterity
on his instrument that few other players could match! Also noteworthy is the presence of the great Boots Mussulli
on alto sax – a sharp-edge player with a lot of Charlie Mariano touches, and an artist who's rarely heard in a setting so stripped-
down as this. Other artists include Herb Pomeroy
on trumpet, Ray Santisi
on piano, and Jimmy Zitano
on drums – and titles include the original numbers "Kip", "Unison", "Bob The Robin", and "Sergical" – plus versions of "What's New", "Yesterday's Gardenias", and Jaki Byard's "Diane's Melody".