Complete College Goes To Jazz (Decca '56, Andex '58, Trend '53) (John Graas Project vol.6) (Lonehill)

Well, this is the last volume of series. I hope you enjoy them!!


Review by Scott Yanow
It is strange that Complete College Goes to Jazz has been reissued under Jack Sheldon's name, for the trumpeter is only on the three-part Jazz Chaconne No. 1, and this disc is really part of a series featuring the French horn and writing of John Graas. The first 11 selections on this reissue have the Westlake College Quartet playing Graas' arrangements. Of the five musicians in the 1956 quintet, pianist Dick Grove is best known, becoming in future years a major educator. The front line of tenor and valve-trombone works quite well on the advanced cool jazz date. Graas is present on the remainder of the selections, which include his three-part Jazz Chaconne No. 1 (with Sheldon and altoist Art Pepper) and eight other selections heading his own all-star septet with Bud Shank, Bob Cooper and Shorty Rogers. The music is thought-provoking, swinging at a generally low volume, and pushing the boundaries of jazz of the period.

1. Westlake Bounce 2:51
2. Theme 2:52
3. Jive At Five 6:39
4. Topsy 2:27
5. Ghost Talk 3:03
6. Motif 2:45
7. La Paz 3:16
8. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 3:50
9. Billy Boy 3:03
10. Mood 3:08
11. Billie’s Bounce 3:39
12. Jazz Chaconne Nº1: Chaconne (Part I) 5:43
13. Jazz Chaconne Nº1: Chaconne (Part II - Medium Fast) 5 :36
14. Jazz Chaconne Nº1: Chaconne (Part III - Slow in 6/4) 6 :19
15. Egypt 2 :38
16. Argyles 2 :47
17. Pyramid 2 :48
18. 6/4 Trend 3:16
19. Not Exactly 2 :35
20. Be My Guest
21. Frappé 3:02
22. Bananera 3:05

Track 1-11: Westlake College Quartet - “College Goes To Jazz”, Decca 1956 (John Graas , arr. only)
Track 12-14: part of album The West Coast All Stars Ninetet - “International Premiere in Jazz”, Andex, 1958
Track 15-22: “French Horn Jazz”, Trend LP 10'', 1953 .

Recorded in Los Angeles '53, '56, '58

Credits (click to enlarge)