CLASSIC VANGUARD SMALL GROUP SWING SESSIONS
Mosaic #280

DISC I
Vic Dickenson
1. Russian Lullaby (A) 9:21
(Irving Berlin)
2. Jeepers Creepers (A) 12:09
(J. Mercer-H. Warren)
3. I Cover The Waterfront (A) 8:28
(J. Green-E. Heyman)
4. Sir Charles At Home (A) 4:39
(Sir Charles Thompson)
5. Keeping Out Of Mischief Now (A) 5:52
(A. Razaf-F. Waller)
6. When You And I Were Young Maggie (B) 4:49
(G. Johnson-J.A. Butterfield)
7. You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me (B) 5:15
(Fain-Kahal-Connor)
8. Everybody Loves My Baby (B) 9:32
(J. Palmer-S. Williams)
9. Nice Work If You Can Get It (B) 4:40
(G. Gershwin-I. Gershwin)
10. Old Fashioned Love (B) 9:27
(J.P. Johnson-R.C. McPherson)

DISC II
Vic Dickenson
1. Suspension Blues (B) 8:34
(traditional)
2. Runnin’ Wild (B) 5:27
(Grey-Wood-Gibbs)

Ruby Braff
3. Romance In The Dark (C) 6:54
(B. Broonzy-L. Green)
4. When You Wish Upon A Star (C) 5:58
(L. Harline-N. Washington)
5. Ghost Of A Chance (C) 7:25
(Crosby-Washington-Young)
6. Wishing [Wishing Will Make It So] (C) 3:15
(Hart-Louis-Simms)
7. Where’s Freddie? (C) 4:43
(Ruby Braff)
8. I’m In The Market For You (C) 5:47
(J. Hanley-J. McCarthy)
9. Sweet Sue, Just You (C) 9:19
(W. Harris-V. Young)
10. Linger Awhile (C) 4:59
(H. Owens-V. Rose)

DISC III
Sir Charles Thompson
1. Bop This (D) 3:42
(Sir Charles Thompson)
2. Memories Of You (D) 5:22
(E. Blake-A. Razaf)
3. Oh Joe! (D) 6:33
(Joe Newman)
4. For The Ears (D) 11:15
(Sir Charles Thompson)
5. It’s The Talk Of The Town (E) 4:34
(Levinson-Symes-Neiburg)
6. Fore! (E) 6:53
(Sir Charles Thompson)
7. Dynaflow (E) 4:49
(Sir Charles Thompson)
8. Under The Sweetheart Tree (E) 5:23
(C. Thompson-J. Evans)
9. Ready For Freddie (E) 2:55
(Sir Charles Thompson)

Joe Newman
10. Close Quarters (F) 5:18
(Foster-Newman-Johnson)
11. Jose Beguines (F) 5:02
(O. Johnson-J. Newman)
12. Blues For Slim (F) 7:33
(Joe Newman)
13. The Sleeper (F) 3:35
(Ernie Wilkins)

DISC IV
Buck Clayton – Ruby Braff
1. Just A Groove (G) 7:43
(B. Clayton-R. Braff)
2. Kandee (G) (master -2) 7:53
(Buck Clayton)
3. I Can’t Get Started (G) 10:56
(V. Duke-I. Gershwin)
4. Love Is Just Around The Corner (G) 3:53
(L. Robin-L. Gensler)
5. Kandee (G) (alt tk. -1) 8:17
(B. Clayton-R. Braff)

Buck Clayton
6. Buck Huckles (H) 4:58
(Buck Clayton)
7. Claytonia (H) 8:01
(Buck Clayton)
8. Cool Too [Let Me See] (H) 2:40
(Buck Clayton)
9. Squeeze Me (H) 5:16
(T. Waller-C. Williams)
10. Good Morning Blues (H) 8:10
(Basie-Durham-Rushing)
11. Ballin’ The Jack (H) 4:44
(J. Burris-C. Smith)
12. Blues Blase (H) 2:54
(Buck Clayton)
13. The Queen’s Express (H) 4:06
(Buck Clayton)

DISC V
Jo Jones
1. Shoe Shine Boy (take 1) (I) 5:52
(S. Cahn-S. Chaplin)
2. Lover Man (I) 6:30
(Davis-Ramirez-Sherman)
3. Georgia Mae (I) 4:47
(Jo Jones)
4. Caravan (K) 3:58
(Tizol-Mills-Ellington)
5. Lincoln Heights (I) 7:47
(J. Jones-L. Thompson)
6. Embraceable You (I) 6:42
(G. Gershwin-I. Gershwin)
7. Shoe Shine Boy (take 2) (I) 5:16
(S. Cahn-S. Chaplin)

Jimmy Rushing
8. How Long [How Long, How Long Blues] (J) 4:51
(L. Carr-S.M. Williams)
9. Boogie Woogie [I May Be Wrong] (J) 3:38
(C. Basie-J. Rushing)
10. How You Want Your Lovin’ Done (J) 4:18
(S. Price-J. Rushing)
11. Goin’ To Chicago (J) 3:35
(J. Rushing-C. Basie)
12. I Want A Little Girl (J) 4:17
(M. Mencher-B. Moll)
13. Leave Me (J) 4:20
(S. Price-J. Rushing)
14. Sent For You Yesterday (J) 3:37
(Basie-Durham-Rushing)

DISC VI
Jimmy Rushing
1. See See Rider (K) 5:12
(M. Rainey-L. Arent)
2. It’s Hard To Laugh Or Smile (K) 3:14
(Bennie Moten)
3. Every Day [Every Day I Have The Blues] (K) 6:09
(Memphis Slim)
4. Evenin’ (K) 7:33
(M. Parish-H. White)
5. Good Morning Blues (K) 5:19
(Basie-Durham-Rushing)
6. Roll ‘Em Pete (K) 4:32
(P. Johnson-J. Turner)
7. Don’t Cry, Baby (K) 5:54
(Unger-Bernie-Johnson)
8. Take Me Back Baby (K) 2:37
(Basie-Rushing-Smith)
9. Rock And Roll (K) 3:12
(James Rushing)
10. Dinah (L) 5:43
(Akst-Young-Lewis)
11. Oh, Love (L) 6:01
(Dosi-Terry-MacRae)
12. Sometimes I Think I Do (L) 6:31
(Jimmy Rushing)
13. Pennies From Heaven (L) 5:23
(A. Johnston-J. Burke)

DISC VII
Jimmy Rushing
1. My Friend Mr. Blues (L) 5:50
(M. Lewis-R. McCoy)
2. If This Ain’t The Blues (L) 8:08
(V. Dickenson-J. Rushing)
3. I Can’t Understand (L) 4:36
(C. Ingram-R.M. McCoy)
4. Take Me With You, Baby (L) 4:59
(C. Ingram-R.M. McCoy)

A Night At Count Basie’s
5. Indiana (M) 7:36
(J. Hanley-B. MacDonald)
6. More Than One For My Baby [Wee Baby Blues] (M) 7:28
(Joe Turner)
7. Too Marvelous For Words (M) 5:29
(J. Mercer-R. Whiting)
8. Sent For You Yesterday (M) 2:33
(Basie-Durham-Rushing)
9. Perdido (M) 6:22
(Juan Tizol)
10. I Want A Little Girl (M) 4:30
(M. Mencher-B. Moll)
11. Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone (M) 3:39
(Clare-Stept-Palmer)
12. Canadian Sunset (M) 9:13
(E. Heywood-N. Gimbel)
______________________________________________________
DISCOGRAPHY

For the purposes of this discography, only the original Vanguard LP issue is listed. And since we are not certain of the exact order that each session was recorded, this discography and the CDs follow as heard on the original LPs. However, in the discography there are three exceptions: Caravan, recorded August 16, 1955 (Session K) is shown correctly in the discography but heard on Disc V as originally released on VRS-8503; and both Session (G) and Session (I) where the discography is in the correct order of performance but heard on Discs IV and V as originally released.

The following reference material was used for this discography: The Jazz Discography by Tom Lord: www.lordisco.com (Lord Music Reference, Inc.)

Unless noted, all sessions were recorded at the Masonic Temple, Clermont Ave, Brooklyn, N.Y.
______________________________________________________
(A) VIC DICKENSON SEPTET: Ruby Braff (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Edmond Hall (cl), Sir Charles Thompson (p), Steve Jordan (g), Walter Page (b), Les Erskine (d).
NYC, December 29, 1953
Russian Lullaby VRS-8001 (10”)
Jeepers Creepers           –
I Cover The Waterfront VRS-8002 (10”)
Sir Charles At Home –
Keeping Out Of Mischief Now   –
______________________________________________________
(B) VIC DICKENSON SEPTET: Shad Collins (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Edmond Hall (cl), Sir Charles Thompson (p), Steve Jordan (g), Walter Page (b), Jo Jones (d).
NYC, November 29, 1954
When You And I Were Young Maggie VRS-8012 (10”)
You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me –
Everybody Loves My Baby -1 –
Nice Work If You Can Get It –
Old Fashioned Love -1 VRS-8013 (10”)
Suspension Blues –
Runnin’ Wild   –

-1 add Ruby Braff (tp).

Note: Because of space limitations on Disc I, we were not able to keep the Session (B) in its entirety. Therefore, Suspension Blues and Runnin’ Wild are heard on Disc II.
______________________________________________________
(C) RUBY BRAFF SEXTET: Ruby Braff (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Sam Margolis (cl, ts), Nat Pierce (p), Walter Page (b), Jo Jones (d).
NYC, October 17, 1955
Romance In The Dark VRS-8504 (12”)
When You Wish Upon A Star –
Ghost Of A Chance –
Wishing –
Where’s Freddie? –
I’m In The Market For You –
Sweet Sue, Just You –
Linger Awhile –
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(D) SIR CHARLES THOMPSON SEXTET: Joe Newman (tp), Benny Powell (tb), Pete Brown (as), Sir Charles Thompson (p), Gene Ramey (b), Osie Johnson (d).
NYC, December 30, 1953
Bop This VRS-8003 (10”)
Memories Of You –
Oh Joe! –
For The Ears –
______________________________________________________
(E) SIR CHARLES THOMPSON AND HIS BAND: Emmett Berry (tp), Benny Morton (tb), Earle Warren (as), Coleman Hawkins (ts), Sir Charles Thompson (p), Steve Jordan (g), Aaron Bell (b), Osie Johnson (d).
NYC, August 16, 1954
It’s The Talk Of The Town VRS-8009 (10”)
Fore! –
Dynaflow –
Under The Sweetheart Tree –
Ready For Freddie –
______________________________________________________
(F) JOE NEWMAN AND HIS BAND: Joe Newman (tp), Matthew Gee (tb), Frank Wess (fl, ts), Frank Foster (ts), Johnny Acea (p), Eddie Jones (b), Osie Johnson (d).
NYC, March 9, 1954
Close Quarters VRS-8007 (10”)
Jose Beguines –
Blues For Slim –
The Sleeper –
______________________________________________________
(G) BUCK CLAYTON’S BAND (Featuring Ruby Braff): Buck Clayton (tp), Ruby Braff (tp), Benny Morton (tb), Buddy Tate (ts), Jimmy Jones (p), Steve Jordan (g), Aaron Bell (b), Bobby Donaldson (d).
NYC, July 1, 1954
I Can’t Get Started VRS-8008 (10”)
Kandee (-1) previously unissued
Kandee (-2) VRS-8008 (10”)
Love Is Just Around The Corner –
Just A Groove -1 –

-1 omit Morton and Tate.

Note: The tape box lists Just A Groove as having two takes, however, what is heard matches with Kandee on the original LP release.
(H) BUCK CLAYTON: Buck Clayton (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Earle Warren (as), Hank Jones (p), Kenny Burrell (el-g), Aaron Bell (b), Jo Jones (d).
NYC, March 14, 1957
Buck Huckles VRS-8514 (12”)
Claytonia –
Cool Too –
Squeeze Me –
Good Morning Blues –
Ballin’ The Jack –
Blues Blase –
The Queen’s Express –
____________________________________________________
(I) JO JONES: Emmett Berry (tp), Bennie Green (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Count Basie (p) -1, Nat Pierce (p) -2, Freddie Green (g), Walter Page (b), Jo Jones (d).
NYC, August 11, 1955
Shoe Shine Boy (take 1) -1 VRS-8503 (12”)
Shoe Shine Boy (take 2) -1 –
Lover Man -2 –
Georgia Mae -2 –
Lincoln Heights -2 –
Embraceable You -2 –
____________________________________________________

(J) JIMMY RUSHING’S ALL STARS: Pat Jenkins (tp), Henderson Chambers (tb), Ben Richardson (cl, as), Buddy Tate (ts), Sammy Price (p), Walter Page (b), Jo Jones (d), Jimmy Rushing (vcl).
NYC, December 1, 1954
How Long [How Long, How Long Blues] VRS-8011 (10”)
Boogie Woogie (I May Be Wrong) –
How You Want Your Lovin’ Done –
Goin’ To Chicago –
I Want A Little Girl –
Leave Me –
Sent For You Yesterday –
_______________________________________
(K) JIMMY RUSHING AND HIS ALL STARS: Emmett Berry (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Rudy Powell (cl, as), Buddy Tate (ts), Pete Johnson (p), Freddie Green (g), Walter Page (b), Jo Jones (d), Jimmy Rushing (vcl).
NYC, August 16, 1955
Caravan -1 VRS-8503 (12”)
See See Rider VRS-8505 (12”)
It’s Hard To Laugh Or Smile –
Every Day [Every Day I Have The Blues] –
Evenin’ –
Good Morning Blues –
Roll ‘Em Pete –
Don’t Cry Baby –
Take Me Back Baby –
Rock And Roll –

-1 omit Rushing.
______________________________________________________

(L) JIMMY RUSHING: Emmett Berry (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Buddy Tate (ts), Clarence Johnson (p), Marlowe Morris (org), Roy Gaines (el-g), Aaron Bell (b), Jo Jones (d), Jimmy Rushing (vcl).
NYC, March 5, 1957
Dinah VRS-8513 (12”)
Oh, Love –
Sometimes I Think I Do –
Pennies From Heaven –
My Friend Mr. Blues –
If This Ain’t The Blues -1 –
I Can’t Understand –
Take Me With You, Baby –

-1 omit Rushing.

Note: Because of space limitations on Disc VI, we were not able to keep Session (L) in its entirety. Therefore, My Friend Mr. Blues, If This Ain’t The Blues, I Can’t Understand and Take Me With You, Baby are heard on Disc VII.

______________________________________________________
(M) A NIGHT AT COUNT BASIE’S: Emmett Berry (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Marlowe Morris (org), Bobby Henderson (p), Aaron Bell (b), Bobby Donaldson (d), Joe Williams (vcl).
Count Basie’s Lounge,
2245 7th Ave & 132nd St, NYC,
October 22, 1956
Indiana VRS-8508 (12”)
More Than One For My Baby (JW-vcl) –

Marlowe Morris (org), Bobby Henderson (p), Aaron Bell (b), Bobby Donaldson (d).
Same date
Too Marvelous For Words VRS-8508 (12”)

Vic Dickenson (tb), Marlowe Morris (org), Count Basie (p), Aaron Bell (b), Bobby Donaldson (d), Joe Williams (vcl).
Same date
Sent For You Yesterday (JW-vcl) VRS-8508 (12”)

Emmett Berry (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Marlowe Morris (org), Bobby Henderson (p), Aaron Bell (b), Bobby Donaldson (d).
Same date
Perdido VRS-8508 (12”)

Emmett Berry (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Marlowe Morris (org), Count Basie (p), Aaron Bell (b), Bobby Donaldson (d), Joe Williams (vcl).
Same date
I Want A Little Girl (JW-vcl) VRS-8508 (12”)

Bobby Henderson (p), Aaron Bell (b), Bobby Donaldson (d), Joe Williams (vcl).
Same date
Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone VRS-8508 (12”)

Emmett Berry (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Marlowe Morris (org), Bobby Henderson (p), Aaron Bell (b), Bobby Donaldson (d).
Same date
Canadian Sunset VRS-8508 (12”)
______________________________________________________________________
ALBUM INDEX:

10” LP
VRS-8001 Vic Dickenson Septet Vol.1
VRS-8002 Vic Dickenson Septet Vol.2
VRS-8003 Sir Charles Thompson Sextet
VRS-8007 Joe Newman And His Band
VRS-8008 Ruby Braff / Buck Clayton – Buck Meets Ruby
VRS-8009 Sir Charles Thompson And His Band
VRS-8011 Jimmy Rushing’s All Stars – Goin’ To Chicago
VRS-8012 Vic Dickenson Septet Vol.3
VRS-8013 Vic Dickenson Septet Vol.4

12” LP
VRS-8503 Jo Jones Special
VRS-8504 Ruby Braff Sextet – Ruby Braff Special
VRS-8505 Jimmy Rushing And His All Stars
VRS-8508 Various Artists – A Night At Count Basie’s
VRS-8513       Jimmy Rushing – Listen To The Blues
VRS-8514 Buck Clayton – Buckin’ The Blues
_____________________________________________________________
Original sessions produced by John Hammond.

Recorded at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, Brooklyn, NY and Count Basie’s nightclub, Manhattan.

All tracks courtesy of the Concord Music Group.

Executive Producer: Fred Pustay
Produced for release by Michael Cuscuna and Scott Wenzel

Transfers from the original tapes by John Strother of Penguin Recordings.

Reissue Mastering Engineer: Shane Carroll and Ben Hadley ( www.swanstudios.nyc ).

24 bit technology was utilized at all stages of the production of this Mosaic release.

Design direction: Richard Mantel
Design production: Beth and Philip Gruber

Special Thanks: Chris Clough, Concord Music Group, Craft Recordings, Tom Cunniffe, Lee Griffin, Ben Hadley, Thomas Hustad, Brian Litwin, Hank O’ Neal, Nick Phillips and Brandon Schott.

This compilation ©2024 Mosaic Records L.L.C., 425 Fairfield Ave, Suite 4211, Stamford, CT 06902. All rights reserved. Phone: 203-327-7111.
e-mail: info@mosaicrecords.com. Web site: www.mosaicrecords.com.

Printed in the U.S.A.

Producer’s Note: This set of small group recordings were selected with the mainstream swing sessions in mind. A second set of the Vanguard label featuring piano recordings will follow in the future.

Michael Cuscuna was very much involved in the direction of this set and it is one of the last that he produced.
-Scott Wenzel