Julius Wechter Quartet & Quintet 1956-1957 Jazz:West And Intro Sessions

Description: Personnel: Julius Wechter (vb), Cy Colley, Jr. (as), John Bambridge, Jr (cl), Dennis Budimir (g), Jim Bates (b), Frank DeVito, Jerry Williams (d) Julius Wechter played vibes in a combo that won first place at the initial Festival of Inter-collegiate Jazz in April of 1954 sponsored by Howard Rumsey at the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach. Saxophonist Cy Colley was part of that combo and joined Wechter as they formed a quartet to play clubs in Los Angeles after graduating from Los Angeles City College. Herb Kimmel heard the quartet and recorded them for his Jazz:West label in 1956. The resulting album, Linear Sketches, JWLP-9, was awarded three and a half stars in Nat Hentoff’s review of the albumin Down Beat. Herb Kimmel departed the jazz scene after recording his last album, The Return of Art Pepper, JWLP-10, in August of 1956. Don Clark was hired as director of A&R to continue the jazz line as Intro Records for the parent company handling distribution for Jazz:West, Aladdin Records. Clark produced several albums for the new label including a second album by Julius Wechter that reached the test pressing stage before Aladdin terminated the jazz line. The aborted album showcases the recording debut of guitarist, Dennis Budimir, who continued to forge an impressive jazz career with Harry James, Chico Hamilton, Bobby Troup, and Bud Shank to name a few. Wechter replaced Arthur Lyman in Martin Denny’s exotica ensemble in 1958 where he played vibes, marimba, percussion, and continued to compose original music for Denny’s group. A chance studio gig playing marimbas on Herb Alpert’s first Tijuana Brass albumin 1962, The Lonely Bull, led to joining the Tijuana Brass and later creating a spin-off, the Baja Marimba Band. —James A. Harrod TRACKLIST 01. TROUSSEAU 02. AUTUMN LEAVES 03. LOVE LETTERS 04. MY MELANCHOLY BABY 05. CY’S BLUES 06. I REMEMBER YOU 07. I’LL CLOSE MY EYES 08. SISSY 09. UNDECIDED 10. DAVE’S TUNE 11. SCOTCH HOP 12. PEANUTS 13. MELANCHOLY SERENADE 14. LOVER MAN 15. BLUES RIFF Sources: Tracks #1-8, from the album “Linear Sketches,” (Jazz:West LP-9) Tracks #9-15, from a previously unissued album by Intro Records The JULIUS WECHTER Quartet Julius Wechter, vibes; Cy Colley, Jr., alto sax; Jim Bates, bass; Frank DeVito, drums. Recorded in Los Angeles, Master Recorders, May 5, 1956 The JULIUS WECHTER Quintet Julius Wechter, vibes; John Bambridge, Jr., clarinet; Dennis Budimir, guitar; Jim Bates, bass; Jerry Williams, drums. Recorded in Los Angeles, Audio Arts Recording Studio, March 27, 1957 Cover photo: © Ray Avery / CTSIMAGES Don Clark photo: © Fresh Sound Archives Original liner notes: Herbert Kimmel New liner notes: James A. Harrod Recordings produced by Herbert Kimmel (#1-8) and Don Clark (#9-15) This CD compilation produced by Jordi Pujol Hi Fi · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

Price: 19.99 USD

Location: Berkeley, California

End Time: 2025-02-04T16:48:00.000Z

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