Jazz
Mel Powell - Piano
Al Mattaliano - Trumpet
Arnold Fishkind - Bass
Bobby Donaldson - Drums
Buck Clayton - Trumpet
Eddie Phyfe - Drums
Henderson Chambers - Trombone
James Buffington - French Horn
Jimmy Crawford - Drums
Joe Kay - Bass
Johnny Glasel - Trumpet
Mundell Lowe - Guitar
Nick Caiazza - Sax (Tenor)
Steve Jordan - Guitar
Tommy Kay - Guitar
Walter Page - Bass
* Bob Parent - Photography
* Captain Jeff Zaraya - Compilation Engineer
* Georgette Cartwright - Creative Services Coordinator
* John Hammond, Sr. - Producer
* Kathrin Cipcich - Package Design
* Paul J. Hoeffler - Photography
* Popsy Randolph - Photography
* Samuel Charters - Liner Notes, Musical Consultant
* Steve Buckingham - Compilation Producer, Liner Notes
One of the many frustrating ironies of jazz history has to do with Mel Powell. A superb swing pianist in the Earl "Fatha" HinesArt TatumTeddy Wilson vein, Powell was at the height of his powers as a jazz improviser when, in the 1950s, he decided to retire from jazz and put his time and energy into classical music. Before making that decision, he recorded some inspired small-group swing dates for Vanguard in the early to mid-1950s. One of the CDs that illustrates the excellence of Powell's Vanguard output is It's Been So Long, which spans 1953-56 and contains selections from four of his classic John Hammond-produced LPs (including Borderline and Out on a Limb). Joined by such accomplished soloists as trumpeter Buck Clayton, clarinetist Edmund Hall, and the Lester Young-influenced tenor saxman Paul Quinichette, Powell lets loose and really goes that extra mile. Not surprisingly, many of the songs are associated with Powell's one-time employer Benny Goodman, including "Stompin' at the Savoy," "Avalon," and "If Dreams Come True." After his Vanguard sessions, Powell didn't record another jazz album as a leader until 1987's The Return of Mel Powell on Chiaroscuro. In Powell's case, jazz's loss was certainly classical's gain.
--- Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
Mel Powell
Active Decades: '40s, '50s, '60s and '80s
Born: Feb 12, 1923 in New York, NY
Died: Apr 24, 1998 in Valencia, CA
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Swing
One of the finest swing pianists and a prodigy, Mel Powell was playing piano and writing important arrangements for Benny Goodman by the time he was 18. He had previously played with Bobby Hackett, George Brunis, and Zutty Singleton (1939), was the intermission pianist at Nick's, and worked in the short-lived Muggsy Spanier big band. During his stay with B.G., Powell and the clarinetist struck up a lifelong friendship; among his arrangements for Goodman were "The Earl," "Mission to Moscow," "Clarinade," and "Jersey Bounce." After a period working for the CBS Orchestra under Raymond Scott (1942), Powell was one of the stars of the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. Powell, whose style was reminiscent of Teddy Wilson's, recorded with Goodman during 1945-1947, led a few record dates (his first one was in 1942), and worked in the studios. However, after studying with Paul Hindemith at Yale (1952), he switched his career and became a classical composer. Powell did record some superior jazz dates for Vanguard during 1953-1955 and sat in with Bobby Hackett in the mid-'60s, but was otherwise occupied completely outside of jazz. After decades of work as a well-respected serial composer, Mel Powell returned to jazz for cruises in 1986 and 1987 that were recorded by Chiaroscuro. He continued composing and performing even after being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, and was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1990. Eight years later, on April 24, Melvin Epstein died in the Los Angeles area.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
