ProJazz.net

Collections is an album by vibraphonist Red Norvo, saxophonist Art Pepper, drummer Joe Morello and pianist Gerry Wiggins recorded in early 1957 originally released on the Intro label.

“Joe Morello was virtually unknown when he recorded this date for the Intro label in January of 1956. While he did have a handful of gigs with both Stan Kenton and Marian McPartland under his belt, it would be several months before his association with Dave Brubeck’s classic quartet. Perhaps this fact was on the minds of the folks at Intro, because initial pressings of the album gave very little indication that Morello was, in fact, the session’s leader. Instead, it was packaged rather like a jam session date in that Red Norvo, Art Pepper, Gerry Wiggins, and Morello all received equal billing on the front cover. Add to this a different title (Collections) printed on both the jacket and spine and it’s a wonder people refer to it as The Joe Morello Sextet at all. Regardless, the most interesting performances on this record are by the similarly young Pepper, who appears on five of the album’s ten tracks. Pepper sticks to alto sax on all but the appropriately titled original “Tenor Blooz,” and delivers a meatier-than-expected tone for an alto player. Fine performances by both Norvo and Wiggins help make this a timeless West Coast jazz release. No real surprises here, but every track is a gem. Easily recommended for fans of the genre. ” – Brandon Burke/AllMusic.

Track listing:
“Tenor Blooz” (Art Pepper) – 4:55
“You’re Driving Me Crazy” (Walter Donaldson) – 5:05
“Sweet Georgia Brown” (Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard, Kenneth Casey) – 2:27
“Little Girl” (Francis Henry, Madeline Hyde) – 2:45
“Pepper Steak” (Art Pepper) – 3:47
“Have You Met Miss Jones?” (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 3:15
“Yardbird Suite” (Charlie Parker) – 5:40
“I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You” (Victor Young, Bing Crosby, Ned Washington) – 4:25
“I’ve Got the World on a String” (Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler) – 3:09
“Straight Life” (Art Pepper) – 3:20

Personnel:
Red Norvo – vibraphone
Art Pepper – alto saxophone (tracks 2, 5, 7 & 10), tenor saxophone (track 1)
Joe Morello – drums
Gerry Wiggins – piano
Ben Tucker – bass
Howard Roberts – guitar

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Released: 1957
Recorded: January 3, 1957
Studio: United Western Recorders, Los Angeles, CA
Length: 38:48
Label: Intro
ILP-608
Producer: Don Clark