LENNIE NIEHAUS
Volume 5: The Sextet (Original Jazz Classics)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Lennie Niehaus' Volume 5: The Sextet, though recorded in 1956, has just been remastered and reissued. There are ten songs on this CD; Niehaus composed five of the numbers and plays alto saxophone throughout. He is joined by Bill Perkins on tenor saxophone and flute, Jimmy Giuffre on baritone saxophone, Stu Williamson on trumpet and valve trombone, Buddy Clark on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums.

If you recognize any of the above players, you realize they are an integral part of the West Coast approach to jazz. This means tighter than normal arrangements, plenty of unison horns, and relaxed and, at times, subdued soloing.

For this session, Niehaus experimented with a piano-less group, trying to make his four horns sound very much like a big band. That he succeeds owes as much to his clarity of vision and expert arranging skills as to the talent of his band mates.

Forty-five years after the music was originally recorded, it still sounds fresh and creative. I confess, I find it appeals more to my intellect than my emotions, but the music is still eloquent and thoughtful without being pretentious. Good music is good music, regardless of the home base of the musicians.

© 2001 - Ron Saranich