Arbors Feats Music Lovers

by Bob Powers

G21 Music Writer

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Bob Powers

MARIETTA, OH, USA - My admiration for the folks who operate Arbors Records down in Florida runs so high that it would be tough to measure. Specializing in recording veteran musicians who usually reached their apex of admiration during the time when swing music was the cat's pajamas.

Three new releases from Arbors give a good example of what the excitement means. This kind of music isn't heard on radio anymore, except for the occasional station that uses the "Music of Your Life" format and plays the original hit songs from the '30s and '40s.

As these new CDs demonstrate, music shouldn't stand still. All three albums contain excellent work by some of the masters of the genre. Anyone who lived through those happy days may tend to choose to brighten memories of those times and listening to these new recordings should keep a smile playing on countenances every time we slip the CD onto our electronic gadgetry.

First up is a double album from the late Jerry Jerome. "Something Borrowed, Something Blue" provides a listening history of Jerome's musical heyday, when he played tenor sax for bands led by Benny Goodman, Red Norvo, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. Yes, Jerome traveled in impressive company.

The first CD contains original recordings from 1939 to 1964, with introductions by Jerome himself. Despite some problems in turning the selections into something approaching today's technical standards, (in other words, sometimes the music sounds tinny and shows its age) Jerome's intros range from straightforward to informationa. He always sounds like he's having a wonderful time.

The revelation of this set, however, is Disc 2, which contains a bonanza of wonderful music, performed by some of the best players still parked on this planet. The group includes the wonderful Lynn Roberts on vocals, sounding as fresh and young as during those spectacular times when she worked with the best of the nation's orchestras.

Tommy Newsom, best remembered for his stint with the Tonight Show band when Johnny Carson ruled the late night on NBC, plays a sturdy and melodious tenor sax. Lou Colombo plays trumpet and flugelhorn, while John Allred adds his strong tone on the trombone. Dick Hyman, still amazing after all these years, is at the piano. Rounding out the band are Frank Tate on bass, Bob Leary at the guitar, and Ed Metz Jr. on drums.

The music includes some top-notch material from those golden days, including "I Want to Be Happy," "These Foolish Things" and "I Want a Little Girl."

Unfortunately, Jerome who was 89 when making this project come true, didn't reach his 90th birthday, dying from leukemia last November. Plans already were afoot for his 90th birthday celebration. Fortunately, even those of us who never heard of Jerome can listen to this wonderful set and imagine what it would have been like to be there.

Derek Smith Plays "High Energy"

The London-born pianist Derek Smith emerged on the British music scene when he worked with the fabled Johnny Dankworth band in the 1950s. Smith, who believed that a musician couldn't prove his mettle without performing in the U.S., went to New York in 1957. He was 26 and ready to prove himself.

Within two weeks, Smith found work as part of a trio playing the famed Basin Street East in New York, opposite Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Torme. Smith became a busy "first call" pianist on the East Coast. He worked in recording sessions during the mornings and became a member of the Doc Severinson Band in those days when Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" originated from New York. Smith was a member of the band for seven years.

Smith's second CD with his own trio shows the talented fingers in excellent shape, even at the age of 70. Smith's range runs wide, from the swing era to the early days of modern jazz and through to today. "High Energy" is a great name for this CD, because that's precisely what Smith demonstrates. I've been so impressed that I've kept the CD on my stereo equipment in my home office for a week. I suspect "High Energy" will continue to rank at the top of my personal play list for sometime to come.

Two songs demonstrate how universal Smith's taste are. I've never heard Neal Hefti's "Girl Talk" sound more inviting and I smiled when I first listened to that wonderful old tune, "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most." I believe the latter became famous when recorded by Chris Conner when she worked with the bombastic Stan Kenton band. Smith should be commended for hopefully returning that old winner to prominence once again.

Kenny and Ken Join Forces

Kenny Davern has a great reputation amongst musicians, but I fear that he's still something of a secret to the great-unwashed public. Despite his induction into the Jazz Hall of Fame, Davern has done some wonderful work on Arbors Records. Now he combines with Ken Peplowski, another performer who has quickly achieved prominence in the jazz field.

"The Kenn Connection" (Arbors Records) puts clarinetist Davern and alto saxophonist Peplowski together for a terrific album that should find favor with jazz admirers of all schools.

The stars are surrounded by a quartet of outstanding performers, from Howard Alden on guitar to John Bunch on piano and from Greg Cohen on bass and the reliable Tony DeNicola behind the drum kit.

Song selection can only be labeled impeccable. Especially endearing are "Mama's Gone, Goodbye" and "All of Me."

"The Kenn Connection" deserves accolades. Here's one: it's a doozy.

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