Jazz
George Girard - Trumpet, Vocals
Rosemary Clooney - Vocals
Albert Brunies - Drums
Armand Hug - Piano
Bob Havens - Trombone
Emile Christian - String Bass
Harry Shields - Clarinet
Jack Delaney - Trombone
Joe Loyacano - String Bass
Joe Rotis - Trombone, Vocals
Monk Hazel - Drums
Paul "Big Bird" Edwards - Drums
Raymond Burke - Clarinet
* Barry Martyn - Liner Notes
* George H. Buck, Jr. - Author, Executive Producer
George Girard
Active Decade: '50s
Born: Oct 07, 1930 in New Orleans, LA
Died: Jan 18, 1957 in New Orleans, LA
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Dixieland
One of the finest New Orleans jazz players to emerge in the 1950s, George Girard's premature death from cancer cut short a very promising career. He became a professional in 1946 after graduating from high school, played with Phil Zito, and then became a key member (along with Pete Fountain) of the Basin Street Six (1950-1954). After the breakup of that group, Girard led his own bands and freelanced until bad health forced him to retire in 1956. Girard had an exciting trumpet style and was a rhythmic vocalist whose potential was sadly not realized. In addition to his recordings with the Basin Street Six, Girard led sessions that were later issued by Storyville, GHB, and Good Time Jazz, in addition to cutting two full albums for Vik.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Rosemary Clooney
Active Decades: '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: May 23, 1928 in Maysville, KY
Died: Jun 29, 2002 in Beverly Hills, CA
Genre: Vocal
Styles: Show Tunes, Ballads, Swing, Vocal Pop, Standards, Traditional Pop, Vocal Jazz
Vocalist Rosemary Clooney's rise to fame in the '50s came on the strength of songs that in many instances were without question novelty tunes; she's not a vocal improviser like Carmen McRae, Betty Carter, or Sarah Vaughan. She is an excellent lyric interpreter, has fine timing, phrases skillfully and intelligently, and performs with the dramatic quality evident among all great singers. Her background and foundation are jazz, even if her technique doesn't always adhere to rigid jazz scrutiny. She joined the Columbia roster in 1950 and made several hits for them, among them "You're Just in Love," "Beautiful Brown Eyes," "Half As Much," "Hey There," the number one hit "Come on-A My House," and "If Teardrops Were Pennies." Clooney had 13 Top 40 hits in the early '50s, among them duets with Guy Mitchell and Marlene Dietrich. The rock revolution and a decision to spend more time with her family resulted in Clooney going into semi-retirement. She returned in the late '70s, singing with renewed power and confidence while making swing-influenced dates and combo sessions for Concord. She's maintained that relationship through the '80s and '90s, doing standards, repertory albums, and demonstrating a resiliency and energy that validates her position among the fine jazz-based vocalists in American music.
---Ron Wynn & Bill Dahl, All Music Guide |
