Jazz / Bop, Cool, West Coast Jazz
Charlie Mariano - Sax (Alto)
Bernie Griggs - Bass
Gene Glennon Drums
George Meyers Sax (Baritone)
Herb Pomeroy - Trumpet
Ira Gitler Liner Notes, Bells
Jack Lawlor Bass
Jimmy Clark Sax (Tenor)
Jimmy Weiner - Drums
Joe Gordon Trumpet
Richard Twardzik - Piano
Roy Frazee Piano
Sonny Truitt - Trombone
Altoist Charlie Mariano plays very much in a Charlie Parker style on these early recordings from Boston (eight from 1951 and six from 1953), but his arrangements for the octet (six of the pieces from the former session) are quite original and unpredictable; only trumpeter Joe Gordon among the otherwise obscure personnel ever gained much recognition. The later six selections match Mariano with trumpeter Herb Pomeroy and the brilliant pianist Dick Twardzik in a quintet; Twardzik, with his odd mixture of Bud Powell and Lennie Tristano, consistently steals the show. A historical and generally enjoyable set, it's recommended for bop fans. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Charlie Mariano
Active Decades: '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: Nov 12, 1923 in Boston, MA
Died: Jun 16, 2009 in Cologne, Germany
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Bop, Cool, Hard Bop, West Coast Jazz
Charlie Mariano's career can easily be divided into two phases. Early on he was a fixture in Boston, playing with Shorty Sherock (1948), Nat Pierce (1949-1950), and his own groups. After gigging with a band co-led by Chubby Jackson and Bill Harris, Mariano toured with Stan Kenton's Orchestra (1953-1955) which earned him a strong reputation. He moved to Los Angeles in 1956 (working with Shelly Manne and other West Coast jazz stars), returned to Boston to teach in 1958 at Berklee, and the following year, had a return stint with Kenton. After marrying Toshiko Akiyoshi, Mariano co-led a group with the pianist on and off up to 1967, living in Japan during part of the time and also working with Charles Mingus (1962-1963).
The second phase of his career began with the formation of his early fusion group Osmosis in 1967. Known at the time as a strong bop altoist with a sound of his own developed out of the Charlie Parker style, Mariano began to open his music up to the influences of folk music from other cultures, pop, and rock. He taught again at Berklee, traveled to India and the Far East, and in the early '70s settled in Europe. Among the groups Mariano has worked with have been Pork Pie (which also featured Philip Catherine), the United Jazz & Rock Ensemble, and Eberhard Weber's Colours. Charlie Mariano's airy tones on soprano and the nagaswaram (an Indian instrument a little like an oboe) fit right in on some new agey ECM sessions and he also recorded as a leader through the years for Imperial, Prestige, Bethlehem, World Pacific, Candid (with Toshiko Akiyoshi in 1960), Regina, Atlantic, Catalyst, MPS, CMP, Leo, and Calig, among others.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
