Frank Wess - Wess Point, The Commodore Recordings (1954) [2007]

Frank Wess, a first-class multi-reedman, arranger, composer and notable soloist in Count Basie’s great 50s big band, is the protagonist of this special compilation of his complete 1954 sessions for Commodore, his first as a leader. Inspired by both Ben Webster and, particularly, Lester Young, he shows in these swinging New York quintet-sextet recordings his light yet full-bodied sound, backed by such exceptional jazzmen as Henry Coker, Urbie Green, Joe Wilder and Oscar Pettiford. As a bonus, Bitty Ditty and Elusive, two equally engaging tracks he recorded for Debut the same year, under the leadership of trumpeter Thad Jones, are included. Especially noteworthy on these tunes—and on the session as a whole—is his great solo work on tenor saxophone.

Tracklist:

1. Wess Point 2:12
Frank Wess
2. Some Other Spring 4:30
Wilson-Herzog
3. Mishawaka 4:47
Olsen
4. Flute Song 3:37
Wess-Feather
5. Basie Ain’t Here 1:58
Frank Wess
6. Basie Ain’t Here (alt. take) 3:19
Frank Wess
7. You’re My Thrill 2:38
Gorney-Clare
8. Frankosis 5:59
Johnson
9. Pretty Eyes 3:13
Reddie-Lunceford-Welsh
10. Wess Of The Moon 5:36
Johnson
11. I’ll Be Around 3:09
Wilder
12. Danny’s Delight 3:17
Frank Wess
13. Romance 3:17
Donaldson-Leslie
14. All My Life 3:21
Mitchell-Stept
15. Frankly The Blues 2:49
Frank Wess
16. Bitty Ditty* 4:53
Jones
17. Elusive* 5:14
Jones

*Bonus Tracks

Personnel:

FRANK WESS QUINTET (1-4): Henry Coker, trombone; Frank Wess, tenor sax & flute; Jimmy Jones, piano; Oscar Pettiford, bass; Osie Johnson, drums. New York, May 8, 1954
(5-8): Same, but Benny Powell, trombone, replaces Coker.

FRANK WESS SEXTET (9-11): Joe Wilder, trumpet; Henry Coker, trombone; Frank Wess, tenor sax & flute; Jimmy Jones, piano; Oscar Pettiford, bass; Osie Johnson, drums. New York, August 12, 1954
(12-15): Same, but Urbie Green, trombone, replaces Coker.

THAD JONES QUINTET (16-17): Thad Jones, trumpet; Frank Wess, tenor sax; Hank Jones, piano; Charles Mingus, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums. New York, August 11, 1954.