The Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Legend of Bix - Argo LP 659 - Canadian Pressing (Quality Records), Mono
Tom Hilliard - Tenor Sax
Ed Haley - Trumpet
Ed Avis - Valve Trombone
Dave Edwards - Alto Sax
Ben Baileys - Baritone Sax
Angelo Principali - Piano
Gerry Loftstrum - Bass
Jim Gianas - Drums
Recorded - August 11 & 12, 1959, Ter Mar Recording Studio. Chicago
Supervision - Jack Tracy
Engineer - Malcolm Chisholm
Cover - Emmet McBain
Released - April 4, 1960
Finally, an intriguing Argo obscurity that is just not for the completists - the Metropolitan Jazz Octet's The Legend of Bix! This is a jazz tribute side to the legendary trumpeter Bix Beiderbecke in two parts, first covering Bix's seminal influences (originals by the lost Chicago jazz composer/arranger Tom Hilliard) and Bix's most famous compositions. It's an elegant and well put together side which I enjoyed immensely. Ostensibly in the trad jazz/swing/New Orleans style, but I detect a West Coast Jazz/Cool Jazz/Birth of the Cool vibe. Nice fidelity off a mint condition foreign Canadian pressing.
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Thanks from the Baron ... not seen or heard of this ... or the musicians ... excellent post
ReplyDeleteGlad you posted this one ... excellent ... Baron
ReplyDeletegreat stuff here thank you so
ReplyDeletesunbop
I had never heard of this group or record, but it was irrisistible because of my love of Bix. Many thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Legend Of Bix
ReplyDeleteWow! This is one of the nicest discoveries in blogland ever!
I didn't recognize any of the names here, and a look in Lord reveals that they recorded either nothing else or very little. That is surprising, considering the strength of this record. It is definitely in a west coast/cool territory and not trad jazz at all. Albeit in a modernized style, they capture the beauty of Bix's legacy very nicely.
Many thanks for unearthing this gem! It definitely deserved it.