Description

This Mosaic LP-only set returns to the original LP masters and sequence to restore clarity and shape to this exceptional quintet.

Even in a career as celebrated and prolific as Stan Getzs, there are pockets of neglected gems that dot the landscape. In the case of Getz, one of those overlooked areas is his 1953-54 Clef Norgan recordings with a working quintet that included valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and pianist Johnny Williams (who later became film composer John Williams). The band recorded several excellent albums for Clef and Norgran during those years. Chronologically, these sessions for Norman Granz fell just after the quintet dates with Jimmy Raney, before Getz had risen to the dizzying heights of extreme popularity and when he was still basking in the glow of his stint as part of Woody Hermans Four Brothers saxophone section. Released on the Clef and Norgran labels just at the transition from 10-inch to 12-inch LPs, the tracks got recycled on Verve across many records, were combined with other songs from other dates, or were forgotten entirely.