V.S.O.P. #107 GOLD COAST JAZZ: THE LON NORMAN SEXTET

Lon Norman (leader, trombone), Vinnie Tanno (trumpet), John Williams (piano), Gus Moss (tenor sax), Al Simi (bass) Bill Ladley (drums).

• Fu-Dunk (Lon Norman) 6:05
• Evelina (Harold Arlen) 4:05
• I Remember You (Schertzinger, Marcus) 4:32
• Lons-On-Ya (Lon Norman) 4:06
• How Deep Is The Ocean (Irving Berlin) 5:47
• Star Eyes (De Paul, Raye) 4:25
• Everything Happens To Me (Adair, Dennis) 4:13
• Pu Dah (Lon Norman) 6:06

This is the third of several VSOP releases of Criteria recordings. Criteria was a small jazz label founded by Mack Emerman that showcased Miami jazz musicians of the late 1950's. All Criteria LPs are extremely rare and highly sought after. This 1957 recording exemplifies the high caliber of jazz that made it onto this label. In addition to Miami's finest, this recording features Johnny Williams and Vinnie Tanno.   Lon Norman had started with the U.S Army Field Band in Washington, D.C., and joined the Willis Conover-Joe Timer aggregation, "The Orchestra", for which he wrote charts and filled in on trombone.  He left D.C. in 1957 with Herbie Fields Sextet and settled in with their stady gig at the Fountainbleau Hotel. Later he worked on the Jackie Gleason show and on H.B. Barnum's T.V. show in the 1970s.

This recording is the second of two that Lon Norman led, the first one being "The Octet" Criteria 1.  At various times, Vinnie Tanno takes over this session with his extroverted style. Lon Norman, not to be outdone, provides some very fine trombone and outstanding charts, demonstrating that he is definitely deserving of significant recognition. A fine CD.

    Download: www.amazon.com/Gold-Coast-Jazz-Norman-Sextet/dp/B002I0I764/ref=sr_1_2

     Other Sources for CD: City Hall Records