Carmell Jones Quartet - Previously unreleased Los Angeles Session

EU import

In August 1960, 24-year old trumpet player Carmell Jones left his Kansas City home-town and hopped a bus to Los Angeles, intent on hitting the West Coast jazz scene. There, his impact was immediate and would prove to be memorable. He was quickly part of a quartet with pianist Forrest Westbrook, bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Bill Schwemmer.

They rehearsed at Westbrooks apartment at 2021 Sta. Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, where this unreleased material was recorded at the end of that month. It was an amazing session, in which Carmell, oozing confidence and assertiveness, demonstrated a fresh, virile and imaginative style, with a warm ballad tone and an authoritatively implacable swing at up tempo. The highly responsive rhythm section locked right on him all the way, and also revealed Forrest Westbrook as a highly talented and sensitive pianist, with an advanced concept of improvisation, and a built-in propensity for swinging hard. Along with the pungently powerful Peacock and the driving Schwemmer, they provided an ideally vigorous support for Carmell Jones, who, unbelievably soon, would come to be regarded as among the finest trumpeters on the West Coast. These never before released recordings, his first on the Coast, show why.

01. Willow Weep for Me (Ronell) 7:25
02. If I Love Again (Oakland-Murray) 6:02
03. Ruby (Ray Charles) 6:27
04. For Every Man There's a Woman (Arlen-Robin) 5:15
05. Baubles, Bangles and Beads (Wright-Forrest) 4:46
06. Airegin (Sonny Rollins) 9:05

Alternate takes:
07. Willow Weep for Me (Ronell) 9:31
08. If I Love Again (Oakland-Murray) 7:07
09. Ruby (Ray Charles) 5:54
10. For Every Man There's a Woman (Arlen-Robin) 4:14

"Carmell Jones (1936-96) was an excellent hard bop trumpeter who was based in Los Angeles during 1960-65. He had his highest profile during that period, leading two albums for Pacific Jazz and one for Prestige, in addition to appearing as a sideman on many recordings including Horace Silvers Song For My Father record. Jones lived and worked in Germany during 1965-80, spending much of his last 16 years being based in Kansas City.

Quartet is an exciting new find, a previously unreleased and unknown set from 1960 with the obscure but talented pianist Forrest Westbrook, bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Bill Schwemmer. The recording quality is excellent as is the playing by Jones and the quartet on six numbers and four alternate takes. Jones is particularly strong on If I Love Again, a rare jazz version of Ruby, and Airegin. This is the only full-length album on which Jones is featured as the lone horn and the 24-year old Jones is heard throughout at his youthful best. His tone is warm, and his ideas are both creative and enthusiastic. In addition, this is one of the few opportunities to hear Forrest Westbrook stretching out at length; he displays a personal style within the bop tradition.

Carmell Jones Quartet is a must for bop collectors."

Scott Yanow (August, 2015)
-Los Angeles Jazz Scene