Benny Bailey - Benny Bailey in Sweden: 1957-1959 Sessions

Trumpeter Benny Bailey (1925-2005) had the rare combination of a brassy, powerful attack and a lyrical, melodic line. He was a true successor of Freddie Webster, Fats Navarro and Clifford Brown. In 1948 he joined the ground-breaking Dizzy Gillespie band and, as a member, paid his first visit to Sweden shortly after.

He joined Lionel Hamptons orchestra one year later and stayed for five. In 1954 he went back to Europe, this time as a member of the Freddy Mitchell band, but left after a few chaotic months in Italy and returned to Sweden to play with Seymor Österwalls band. He remained in Sweden, where he became one of the most in-demand jazz soloists, and appeared on several record dates as leader and sideman, all before leaving to join the Quincy Jones band for its European 1959-60 winter tour. Quincy, who wrote the song Meet Benny Bailey and admired him for his marvelous breath control and remarkable range, said Baileys technique was most perfect. As a trumpeter himself, he should know.

Personnel:

Tracks #1 & 2: Bailey (tp), Lennart Grunnell (p), Kurt Lindgren (b), Egil Johansen (d).
Recorded at Europa Film Studios, Stockholm, on March 4, 1957

Tracks #3 & 4: Benny Bailey (tp), Nils Lindberg (p), Sture Nordin (b), Joe Harris (d).
Recorded in Stockholm, on February 20, 1958

Tracks #5 & 6: Benny Bailey (tp), Bernt Rosengren (ts), Ingmar Westberg (p), Sture Nordin (b), Joe Harris (d).
Recorded in Stockholm, on March 4, 1959

Tracks #7 & 8: Benny Bailey (tp), Teuvo Suojarvi (p), Herbert Katz (g), Erik Lindstrom (b), Erkki Valaste (d).
Recorded in Helsinki, Finland, on May 15, 1959

Track #9: Benny Bailey (tp), Gösta Theselius (p), Gunnar Johnson (b), Joe Harris (d).
Recorded at Millessalen Studios, Hotel Foresta, Stockholm, on October 8, 1959

Track #10: Benny Bailey (tp), Arne Domnerus (as), Gösta Theselius (p), Gunnar Johnson (b), Joe Harris (d).
Recorded at Millessalen Studios, Hotel Foresta, Stockholm, on October 8, 1959

Track #11: Benny Bailey (tp), Ake Person (tb), Lennart Jansson (bs), Gunnar Svensson (p), Gunnar Johnson (b), Joe Harris (d).
Recorded at Millessalen Studios, Hotel Foresta, Stockholm, on October 8, 1959

Tracks #12-14 Benny Bailey (tp), Arne Domnerus (as on #13-14), Bjarne Nerem (ts), Lennart Jansson (bs), Gösta Theselius (p), Gunnar Johnson (b), Joe Harris (d).
Recorded at Millessalen Studios, Hotel Foresta, Stockholm, on October 8, 1959