Ron Jefferson & Tricky Lofton - Love Lifted Me & Brass Bag

Ron Jefferson, the sensitive jazz drummer, was something of a paradox: a jazzman who, for several years, labored just below the level of general public recognition in the East, only to find, as a founding member of pianist Les McCanns successful trio, an enthusiastic audience and wholehearted recognition of his talents on the West Coast jazz scene. And with his album Love Lifted Me he also shone as the fine leader of a persuasively swinging and remarkably consistent quintet in which Bobby Hutcherson plays with a joie de vivre that harks back to a young Milt Jackson.

Aside from the driving lines of Wilbur Browns tenor, the most provocative soloist is Tricky Lofton, whose blithe, lusty trombone is a refreshing updating of the earthy style of an earlier jazz day. Tricky is also co-leader, with trumpeter Carmell Jones, of the second album here, Brass Bag, on half of which he features with some fullbodied, four-trombone ensemble support, and in the other half shares solos with Lou Blackburn. Jones adds his consistent and lyrical solo voice, and Frank Strazzeris piano contributions are bright and lively, while Gerald Wilsons deft arrangements make effective use of the trombone choirs rich, dark ensemble sound.

Sources:
Tracks #1-5, from "Ron Jefferson -Love Lifted Me" (Pacific Jazz Stereo-36)
Tracks #7-14, from "Tricky Lofton & Carmell Jones -Brass Bag" (Pacific Jazz Stereo-49)

Personnel on "Love Lifted Me":
Lawrence Tricky Lofton, trombone; Wilbur Brown, tenor sax; Bobby Hutcherson, vibes; Frank Strazzeri, piano; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Ron Jefferson, drums.
Recorded at Pacific Enterprises, Inc./Rex Studios, Los Angeles, Sept. 27, 1961

Personnel on "Brass Bag":
Tracks #7-11: Carmell Jones, trumpet; Lawrence Tricky Lofton, Bob Edmondson, Wayne Henderson, Frank Strong, trombones; Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone; Frank Strazzeri, piano; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Ron Jefferson, drums. Gerald Wilson, arranger.
Recorded at Pacific Enterprises, Inc./Rex Studios, Los Angeles, March 26, 1962

Tracks #12-14: Carmell Jones, trumpet; Lawrence Tricky Lofton, Lou Blackburn, trombones; Frank Strazzeri, piano; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Ron Jefferson, drums.
Recorded at Pacific Enterprises, Inc./Rex Studios, Los Angeles, April 3, 1962