Tag Archives: Norgran

Dizzy Gillespie: Afro

In November 1954, “Norgran” label released “Afro”, the eleventh Dizzy Gillespie album. It was recorded May – June 1954, and was produced by Norman Granz.

Personnel:

  • Dizzy Gillespie – trumpet
  • George Dorsey, Hilton Jefferson – alto saxophone
  • Hank Mobley, Lucky Thompson – tenor saxophone 
  • Danny Bank – baritone saxophone 
  • Leon Comegys, J. J. Johnson, George Matthews – trombone 
  • Gilbert Valdez – flute 
  • Quincy Jones, Jimmy Nottingham, Ernie Royal – trumpet
  • Réne Hernandez, Wade Legge – piano
  • Lou Hackney, Roberto Rodríguez – bass
  • Charlie Persip – drums
  • Cándido Camero – congas, percussion
  • Mongo Santamaria – congas
  • José Mangual – bongos
  • Ubaldo Nieto – timbales
  • Ralph Miranda – percussion
  • Chico O’Farrill – arrangements

Track listing:

  1. Manteca Theme – Gil Fuller, Dizzy Gillespie, Chano Pozo
  2. Contraste – Dizzy Gillespie, Chico O’Farrill, Chano Pozo
  3. Jungla – Dizzy Gillespie, Chico O’Farrill, Chano Pozo
  4. Rhumba Finale – Dizzy Gillespie, Chico O’Farrill, Chano Pozo
  5. A Night in Tunisia – Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli
  6. Con Alma – Dizzy Gillespie
  7. Caravan – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol

Johnny Hodges: Creamy

In October 1955, “Norgran” label released “Creamy”, the tenth Johnny Hodges album. It was recorded in September 1955, in New York City, and was produced by Norman Granz.

Personnel:

  • Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone
  • Jimmy Hamilton – tenor saxophone, clarinet
  • Harry Carney – baritone saxophone
  • Clark Terry – trumpet
  • Lawrence Brown – trombone
  • Billy Strayhorn – piano
  • Jimmy Woode – bass
  • Sonny Greer – drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Johnny Hodges, except where noted.

  1. The Ballad Medley: Whispering/Tenderly/Don’t Take Your Love from Me/Prelude to a Kiss/Polka Dots and Moonbeams/Passion Flower – Vincent Rose, John Schonberger, Richard Coburn/Walter Gross, Jack Lawrence/Henry Nemo/Duke Ellington, Irving Gordon, Irving Mills/Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke/Billy Strayhorn
  2. Scufflin’ – Cue Hodges
  3. Honey Bunny
  4. Passion – Billy Strayhorn
  5. Pretty Little Girl – Billy Strayhorn
  6. No Use Kicking

Harry “Sweets” Edison And Buddy Rich: Buddy And Sweets

In October 1955, “Norgran” label released “Buddy and Sweets”, album by Harry “Sweets” Edison and Buddy Rich. It was recorded in September 1955, in Los Angeles, and was produced by Norman Granz.

Personnel:

  • Harry Sweets Edison – trumpet
  • Barney Kessel – guitar
  • Jimmy Rowles – piano
  • John Simmons – bass
  • Buddy Rich – drums

Track listing:

  1. Yellow Rose of Brooklyn – Harry “Sweets” Edison
  2. Easy Does It – Sy Oliver, Trummy Young
  3. All Sweets – Harry “Sweets” Edison
  4. Nice Work If You Can Get It – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
  5. Barney’s Bugle – Buddy Rich
  6. Now’s the Time – Charlie Parker
  7. You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me – Al Dubin, Harry Warren

Herb Ellis: Ellis In Wonderland

In February 1956, “Norgran” label released “Ellis in Wonderland”, the debut Herb Ellis album. It was recorded December 1955 – January 1956, in Hollywood, and was produced by Ken Druker.

Personnel:

  • Herb Ellis – guitar
  • Charlie Mariano – alto saxophone
  • Jimmy Giuffre – baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet
  • Harry “Sweets” Edison – trumpet
  • Oscar Peterson – piano
  • Ray Brown – double bass
  • Alvin Stoller – drums

Track listing:

  1. Sweetheart Blues – Herb Ellis
  2. Somebody Loves Me – Buddy SeSylva, George Gershwin, Ballard McDonald
  3. It Could Happen to You – Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen
  4. Pogo – Herb Ellis
  5. Detour Ahead – Herb Ellis, Lou Carter, Johnny Frigo
  6. Elis in Wonderland – Herb Ellis
  7. Have You Met Miss Jones – Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart
  8. A Simple Tune – Jimmy Giuffre

Buddy Rich: This One’s For Basie

On January 9, 1957, “Norgran” label released “This One’s for Basie”, the tenth Buddy Rich album. It was recorded in August 1956, and was produced by Norman Granz.

Personnel:

  • Buddy Rich – drums
  • Bob Enevoldsen – tenor saxophone, valve trombone
  • Bob Cooper – tenor saxophone
  • Pete Candoli – trumpet
  • Harry “Sweets” Edison – trumpet
  • Conrad Gozzo – trumpet
  • Frank Rosolino – trombone
  • Buddy Collette – flute, baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone
  • Bill Pitman – guitar
  • Jimmy Rowles – piano
  • Joe Mondragon – double bass
  • Marty Paich – arrangements
  • Phil Stern – photography

Track listing:

  1. Blue and Sentimental – Count Basie, Mack David, Jerry Livingston
  2. Down for Double – Freddie Green
  3. Jump for Me – Count Basie
  4. Blues for Basie – Harry “Sweets” Edison
  5. Jumpin’ at the Woodside – Count Basie
  6. Ain’t It the Truth – Count Basie, Buster Harding, Jack Palmer
  7. Shorty George – Count Basie, Andy Gibson
  8. 9:20 Special – William Engvick, Earle Warren

Johnny Hodges: The Blues

In October 1956, “Norgran” label released “The Blues”, the fifth Johnny Hodges album. It was recorded July 1952 – September 1953 – July 1954, at “Radio Recorders” in Los Angeles, in San Francisco and New York City, and was produced by Norman Granz.  

Personnel:

  • Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone
  • Emmett Berry, Shorty Baker – trumpet
  • Lawrence Brown – trombone
  • Arthur Clarke, John Coltrane, Ben Webster, Rudy Williams – tenor saxophone
  • Ted Brannon, Call Cobbs, Leroy Lovett – piano
  • Ray Brown, Red Callender, Barney Richmond, John Williams – bass
  • Louis Bellson, J. C. Heard, Al Walker – drums
  • Alex De Paola – cover photography
  • Phil Stern – photography
  • Norman Granz – supervision

Track listing:

All tracks by Johnny Hodges, except where noted.

  1. Rosanne – Glenn Osser, Edna Osser, Dick Manning
  2. Hodge-Podge – Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington
  3. Jappa
  4. Through for the Night – Trummy Young
  5. The Sheik of Araby – Ted Snyder, Harry B. Smith, Francis Wheeler
  6. Latino
  7. Johnny’s Blues – Edith Cue Hodges
  8. Indiana – Ballard MacDonald, James F. Hanley
  9. Easy Going Bounce – Leroy Lovett
  10. Burgundy Walk

Leseter Young and Harry Edison: Pres and Sweets

In December 1955, “Norgran” label released “Pres and Sweets”, an album by Lester Young and Harry Edison, It was recorded in November 1955, at “Radio Recorders” in Hollywood, and was produced by Norman Granz.

Personnel:

  • Lester Young – tenor saxophone
  • Harry Edison – trumpet
  • Oscar Peterson – piano
  • Herb Ellis – guitar
  • Ray Brown – bass
  • Buddy Rich – drums

Track listing:

  1.  Mean to Me – Fred E. Ahlert, Roy Turk
  2. Red Boy Blues – Lester Young
  3. Pennies from Heaven – Arthur Johnston, Johnny Burke
  4. That’s All – Alan Brandt, Bob Haymes
  5. One O’Clock Jump – Count Basie
  6. She’s Funny That Way – Neil Moret, Richard A. Whiting