There seems to be concern among its competitors in internet technology that YouTube will rule the world. I suppose that no one is in favor of universal domination–except, possibly, YouTube–but when they come up with clips like this one from the 1983 Aurex Jazz Festival in Japan, they deserve thanks.
Sept.2,1983
SHORTY ROGERS(Flugelhorn)
BUD SHANK(AltoSax)
JIMMY GIUFFRE(TenorSax)
BOB COOPER(TenorSax)
BILL PERKINS(BaritoneSax)
PETE JOLLY(Piano)
MONTY BUDWIG(Bass)
SHELLY MANNE(Drums)
All but Shank and Giuffre are gone, worse luck. This was around the time that Shank swore off the flute to concentrate on being a full-time bebop alto saxophonist. It’s hard not to miss his incomparable flute, but with alto playing like this, who can complain? My only argument with this performance is that Perkins’s baritone solo is at least one chorus too short.
For dessert, try “Infinity Promenade.” It’s not quite the same without the scorching double trumpet lead of Maynard Ferguson and Conrad Gozzo on the original recording, but we get a nice round of sixteen-bar solos.
PS: The original posting of this item included the wrong assumption that Jimmy Guiffre was dead. He is not. The Rifftides Staff regrets the error and apologizes.