Howard Roberts - Mr. Roberts Plays Guitar

Soon after he arrived in Los Angeles in 1950, Howard Roberts became one of the most in-demand jazz guitarists in the citys clubs and studios. He spent six years as a sideman before Verves Norman Granz gave him the chance to record his first album as a leader (tracks 1-10).

As the notes on the album liner put it, The works he has chosen represent a startling divergence of styles and impressions, significantly all under the sensitive control of a basic musical conception, which is seriously concerned with all aesthetic expression. All the arrangements are well thought out, and the individual musicians interpretations are original without straying away from the Roberts-planned format.

The last five tracks on this CD were recorded in the same period by Intro Records as part of an album entitled Collections. No written arrangements were used. Instead, there is an atmosphere of spontaneous interaction that makes these performances a delight.