Bill Hitz – Music for This Swingin’ Age + Greig McRitchie – Easy Jazz on a Fish

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Description

WEST COAST SERIES · Jazz & Swing Orchestras
Rare & Collectible Albums by Unsung Bandleaders

When the dust from the collapse of the Swing Era settled, there were few big bands left that had survived. Yet, because they loved the swinging drive of a full-on jazz orchestra, a series of adventurous and unsung bandleaders optimistically organized some fine, but short-lived, new orchestras that were packed with jazz and studio musicians, holding the flag of Swing high.

On Music for This Swingin’ Age, Bill Hitz’s made his record debut with an orchestra spotted with driving West Coast soloists. All arrangements, by Hitz himself and Lyle (Spud) Murphy, use Murphy’s 12-tone system, each building horizontally, full of incident and a fresh, satisfying approach. They deliver a rousing, brass-edged sound while Hitz’s cool clarinet fits perfectly into the mood of the arrangements.

Greig McRitchie on his album Fighting Back, certainly captured that swing era “feel”, but he dressed it up with the distinctive rhythm and bass figures of Rock and Roll—piano, bass, guitar, drums and baritone, plus a rare, modern touch of harmonic color. His repeated use of vibes, alto, flute and guitar adds a refreshing perspective to a repertoire of easily identifiable tunes, all delivered by a powerful big band unit full of the cream of the crop of West Coast jazzmen.

Track Listing:
1. Strike Up the Band - 2:56   2. In a Sentimental Mood - 3:31   3. Something Blue - 2:59   4. Sampan - 3:04   5. Matinee - 3:28   6. But Not for Me - 3:05   7. Stompin' at the Savoy - 4:00   8. You Don't Know What Love Is - 3:16   9. Open House - 2:38   10. Diga Diga Doo - 4:10   11. Status Quo - 3:19   12. Fair and Warmer - 3:32   13. Jeepers Creepers - 2:26   14. McRitchie Doodle - 2:43   15. Sometimes I'm Happy - 2:40   16. Runnin' Wild - 3:05   17. Fishbeat Blues - 2:25   18. Lonely Night - 2:38   19. Greig's Bread - 3:23   20. Sally's Back - 2:45   21. Sophisticated Swing - 2:54   22. Shuffle Off to Buffalo - 2:37   23. Robbin's Nest - 2:59   24. Goodnight! - 2:35

Sources:
Tracks #1-12, from the album "Music for This Swingin’ Age -Bill Hitz and His Orchestra" (Decca DL 8392)
Tracks #13-24, from the album "Easy Jazz on a Fish Beat Bass -Greig McRitchie" 
(Zephyr ZP 12005G) Mono. Reissued as "Fighting Back -The Greig McRitche Band" (Cadet LPS 4058) Stereo

Personnel:

on "Music for this Swingin' Age":
Conrad Gozzo / Mickey Mangano / Ray Linn (trumpets) , Milt Bernhart / Dick Nash (trombones) , Bill Hitz (clarinet) , Russ Cheever (alto sax) , Buddy Collette (alto & tenor sax, flute) , Bill Ulyate (tenor sax) , Chuck Gentry (baritone sax) , Gerald Wiggins (piano) , Curtis Counce (bass) , Larry Bunker (drums)
Recorded at Decca Recordings Studios, Hollywood, May 21 & July 9 (#1,5,7,8,10,11), 1956

on "Easy Jazz on a Fish Beat Bass":
Ray Linn / Ray Triscari / Joe Triscari / Jimmy Zito / Uan Rasey (trumpets) , Joe Howard / Herbie Harper / Lloyd Ulyate / Si Zentner / Hoyt Bohanon (trombones) , George Roberts / Marshall Cram (bass trombones) , Buddy Collette (alto sax, flute) Marty Berman (baritone sax) , Russ Freeman (piano) , Larry Bunker (vibes;) , Tony Rizzi (guitar) , Joe Mondragon (bass) , Shelly Manne (drums)
Recorded at Capitol Records, Hollywood, July 17, 18 and August 1, 1956