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GUS MANCUSO
Gus Mancuso & Special Friends (Fantasy)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
This twofer offering from Fantasy chronicles the introduction of Gus Mancuso as a jazz recording artist and the baritone horn as a jazz lead instrument. While the baritone had appeared early in jazz as part of New Orleans brass bands, it's typically found in marching band lineups, not bop combos. A keyed horn with a range similar to the trombone, the baritone found an able champion in Mancuso, who was also professionally proficient on trombone, trumpet, bass, vibes and piano, when he wasn't singing. He was a bit of a renaissance man, musically, but when he got the chance to record for Fantasy in 1956, the baritone was his instrument of choice.
This disc opens with the music from Introducing Gus Mancuso, recorded in 1956 with a lineup largely drawn from Cal Tjader's band of the time. Tjader himself appears on seven of the ten tracks from that album, though he is on drums rather than the vibes he is best known for. He was a fine drummer, and he brought along his pianist Vince Guaraldi for three tracks. Tjader's bassist, Gene Wright, appears throughout. When it's not Tjader on drums, it's Bill Douglass, and Gerald Wiggins takes over the piano stool when Guaraldi is absent. Also featured are guitarist Eddie Duran and tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca. Altogether, it's an all star lineup of west coast jazz from the period, and they provide a strong setting for Mancuso to demonstrate his skill on his unusual horn through a mixed set of standards and originals by various member of the ensemble, including Mancuso, Wiggins and Guaraldi.
The remaining tracks are from 1958's Gus Mancuso Quintet, which included Joe Romano on tenor sax, Pete Jolly on piano, Red Mitchell on bass and Buddy Greve on drums. The selection of material is similar, with one Mancuso original ("O-Fayces") appearing in a set of standards. Mancuso and Romano are an impressive front line and the group is strengthened by its status as a working band, giving a stronger ensemble sense than the jam session feel of the earlier tracks.
Both albums are fine examples of period west coast bop, though, and a pleasure to have in reissue. The unique character of the baritone horn only adds to the interest and appeal of the package.
Track List:
I'm Glad There Is You * Brother Aintz * Ev'ry Time * The Ruble And The Yen * By The Way * And Baby Makes Three * Goody Goody * How Do You Like Your Eggs In The Morning? * A Hatfull Of Dandruff * Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye * Love Is A Simple Thing * Monotonous * Scratch My Back * O-Fayces * The Boston Beguine * Guess Who I Saw Today? * Love Is Never Out Of Season * I'm In Love With Miss Logan
© 2001 - Shaun Dale