JATP

Mosaic Records have, seemingly, released a ten CD boxed set of live recordings from  Norman Granz's legendary live jam sessions that first appeared on his various labels such as Clef, Norgram and, the last surviving one, Verve.

They've had favourable reviews in all the jazz mags - unlike, back in the day, when they were dismissed as 'rabble rousing extravaganzas. This, they undoubtedly  were and I for one wasn't complaining!

It was jazz excitement that has never been surpassed and, had it been pursued further, may have served to repel the invasions from Memphis and Liverpool.

However, the first chink in the armour for me came when JATP played Newcastle City Hall in 1958. It was their first British tour and had the mouthwatering contingent of, amongst others, Stan Getz, Sonny Stitt, Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge and, of course, Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald who relegated the others to the supporting act which was okay but it wasn't the wild, may the best man win, concert I'd expected.

Jam sessions just weren't what they used to be.

Nevertheless, although Mosaic in their wisdom didn't send a review copy to BSH I do have thirteen JATP albums (some of them doubles), several CDs and maybe one or two that Mosaic didn't get their paws on.

Still, it's good that these historical moments are once again available. Shavers and Eldridge slugging it out, McGhee and Killian doing likewise. Flip Phillips and  Illinois blowing as if it was the Thriller in Manila. Buddy and Gene making like the Rumble in the Jungle. Why do I use these boxing terms?  Because these were champions putting  their titles on the line. If you doubt me, listen to Nat Cole (he had yet to be crowned) and Les Paul (he had yet to invent the Gibson guitar that bore his name) trading blues choruses. This was what jam sessions were all about. Christians thrown to the lions and the crowd roaring their approval at every riff, honk and squeal from the protagonists.

Of course it wasn't all Wham! Bang! Thank you Mam! There were ballad medleys, some contrasting solos by Charlie Parker and Willie Smith, Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins and of course Ella and Billie although it was only years later when they appeared on a JATP album - Granz knew who his meal tickets were and he issued their discs later.

So, whilst I haven't heard the Mosaic ten CD set, and I'm sure it will be great, in the meantime I've got all those long players to catch up on - where do I start? Lance

PS: Maybe the popular Black Swan jam could do a special one off where a select group of players throw their hats and their reputations into the ring for a good old fashioned slugfest. Maybe in between the normal jams and held downstairs with an admission fee - just a thought ...