John Graas - Jazz Lab 1 & 2 (1955-57 Decca, Kapp _ LoneHill) (John Graas Project vol.4)

This vol.4 contains lp's:

- Jazz Lab 1 (Decca) , Track 01-10
- Jazz Lab 2 (Decca) , Track 11-18
- *19-21 , three tracks from 'French Horn Jazz' EP (four tracks) (1956 Kapp ) . Not confuse with French Horn Jazz (1953 Trend LP) !!

1. Minor Call
2. Mozartesque
3. Le Chasse
4. Friar Tuck
5. Canon Ball
6. Pick Yourself Up
7. Jazz sections From Symphony nº1 in F Minor(Andante)
8. Jazz sections From Symphony nº1 in F Minor (Allegretto)
9. Softly The Horn Blows
10. Lighthouse 64
11. Love Me Or Leave Me
12. Cluster
13. Mood
14. Three Line Blues
15. Chuggin'
16. Trio
17. Canon-Friar
18. Be My Guest
19. Lady Like *
20. Sequence *
21. Blue Haze *

Recorded in Los Angeles, 1955-57

Credits (click to enlarge)

Review Don Gold, Down Beat

The value of the LP lies largely in the solos. There are many excellent examples, including memorable statements from each musician Graas displays a maturing respect for the jazz idiom.


Review by Ken Dryden

One of the most overlooked musicians considered to be a part of the so-called cool school is John Graas, who initially played French horn in a classical setting then switched to jazz for good in 1946. This Lone Hill Jazz compilation gathers most of the tracks from his two Decca LPs, Jazz Lab 1 and Jazz Lab 2 (with a missing cut added to a later compilation by the label **), featuring musicians like Herb Geller, Dave Pell, Jimmy Giuffre, Marty Paich, Curtis Counce, Gerald Wiggins, Jack Montrose, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones over the five sessions heard in this collection. In addition to the leader's compositions, the various small groups delve into standards and works by the bandmembers. Graas' classical background is apparent on most of the songs, though the music is consistently swinging and never overly arranged. Fran Kelley's detailed original liner notes are included. John Graas' death from a sudden heart attack at age 37 in 1962 cut short a promising career; the reappearance of this long unavailable music on this compilation CD should be welcome news to fans of mid-'50s cool jazz.

** : Do Somebody knows the name of that track?