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You're hearing Track 5 "Second Balcony Jump"

EBG01 - PRESENTING EDDIE GRAHAM WITH THE EARL 'FATHA' HINES TRIO

This recording is from analog tapes made for a PBS broadcast from the Blues Alley Jazz Club in Washington D.C. in 1975. This was my first season touring with Earl Hines.

Tracks include

1. PORTRAITS OF FATS WALLER - a medley which starts with Earl doing solo piano, he would start each concert solo then gradually incorporate the rhythm section and then any horns and vocalists.
Black and blue; Two Sleepy People, Ain't Misbehavin', Jitterbug Waltz, Squeeze Me, Honey Suckle Rose.

2. SHINY STOCKINGS - Good example of the excesses of youth!

3. BLUES FOR DA FLUTE - introduces Rudy Rutherford.

4. The DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES - Rudy this time with the tenor sax.

5. SECOND BALCONY JUMP - Earl wrote this when he was leading a big band in theaters and it refers to the audience sitting in the highest (cheapest) seats. His philosophy was that if you could get their attention you were saying something.

6. MY SHIP - Earl sings this one poignantly.

7. SATIN DOLL - Earl also sings this perennial Duke Ellington favorite, but then the drums take over! Why?!

8. A MEDLEY - including Lauracita, Watch What Happens, and Close To You.

EBG02 - DRUMMIN' MAN

A self-indulgent compilation of live performances, most of which are drum features.

Tracks include

1. OLD MAN RIVER - an arrangement of mine for a TV special I did in Australia while on tour with singer Kay Stevens. This big band is a Tampa based group and on the last drum solo section you can hear two of my young students joining in. Ian Lowe (11) playing cowbell and, at the very end, picolo snare; and Madison Byers (12) with the claves and then that deep floor tom.

2. SWEET SAMBA BROWN - an ad hoc group I called "The World's Greatest Sub Band" because we were always filling in for groups on tour. In this case I was fortunate to get several Arbors recording artists who were in town for a session the following night, which became the acclaimed "Live At The State Theater" album. Werner Lutz-trpt, Rick Fay-soprano sax, Dan Barret-trombone, Chuck Hedges-clar, Michael Royal-piano, Ken Fitzgerald-bass, with myself trying to brazilianize Sweet Georgia Brown.

3. BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - with the composer himself on bass. Bob Haggart with me trying to be Ray Bauduc at a Suncoast Jazz festival. Early drum'n'bass!

4. SHINY STOCKINGS - from my Earl Hines CD, a trio version of this Basie tune. I had just joined Earl after many years in the showrooms of Las Vegas. This was the beginning of my 5 year association with the legendary 'Fatha".

5. SHINY STOCKINGS - only this time with the 42nd St. Big Band. Recorded in January of 2002 making this version 26 years later. My how time and experience change one's musical approach.

6. DIGA DIGA DOO - from a 1940s Broadway Musical this obscure tune is a favorite in traditional jazz circles and here I am playing with a quartet consisting of Johnny Varro-keyboard, John Thomas-trpt and Howard Smith-bass guitar. Johnny had just bought this electric piano out of expediency but was not thrilled at all with it's sounds. His playing is outstanding however.

7. DIGA DIGA DOO - once again but this time with a good dixie group from Jacksonville, FL. that I was guesting with.

8. TROUBLE - that thing from The Music Man only with my own slant on the dangers to society. This was recorded at a comedy club in Clearwater, FL. and has as my back-up chorus some friends from California who were in town for a recording session for Arbors. Jackie Coon-flugle horn, Eddie Erickson-banjo, Rick Fay-clar, Charles Borneman-tromb, Lou Mauro-bass, and Bob Phillips-piano.

9. SING SING SING - the Benny Goodman/Gene Krupa classic re-visited by the 42nd St. Big Band.

10. DRUMMIN' MAN - Rick Fay sings his version of Hindustan and proclaims me "Drummin' Man". The same guys that are on track 8 play this one with gusto, especially the two out choruses.

EBG03 - ED GRAHAM QUARTET FEATURING JOHNNY MINCE

This CD was recorded at the King Of France Tavern in the Maryland Inn Hotel at Annapolis MD. This basement Jazz club has excellent acoustics and I was fortunate to get famed luthier Paul Reed Smith to capture these performances brilliantly on analog tape. Johnny Mince's clarinet soars through 10 great cuts and you can even hear him sing the doo wahs on "It Don't Mean A Thing". Jane Jarvis breaks out of her mold as a Muzak producer (and organist for the Mets baseball team) to be the perfect foil to John's clarinet. Ron Miller supplies solid bass lines and exploratory solos. I was along for the ride.

Tracks include

1. IT DON'T MEAN A THING (if it ain't got that swing) - We start the evening with this Duke Ellington tune and Johnny sings the "doo wahs". Clarinet and drums get into it and Johnny takes it into the stratosphere for the ending.

2. EMBRACEABLE YOU - A fine love song and tender ballad passionately played.

3. DINAH, IS THERE ANYONE FINER? - Starts easy but gains momentum.

4. WHAT CAN I SAY DEAR (after I say I'm sorry)? - What can I say? It's the shortest cut on the album, very "radio friendly".

5. STRUTTIN' WITH SOME BAR-B-QUE - John plays the melody on the first chorus, improvises a great second chorus and just as you think he's stated his case he swings even harder into yet another chorus as the rhythm section goes into overdrive. Whew!

6. LIMEHOUSE BLUES - Clarinet and drums ala Benny Goodman/Gene Krupa.

7. MOOD INDIGO - Another fine Duke Ellington hit impeccably played with sensitive accompianment from Jane and the gang.

8. THREE LITTLE WORDS - Told with 5,000 notes.

9. WHEN YOUR SMILING -This oughtah do it.

10.I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE (baby) - I hope you can tell we love this music. I was proud to have worked with Johnny however briefly. We had fun on this gig.

EBG04 - ABALONE STOMPERS "Papa Jake and Friends"

These live recordings were done at the Sheraton Hotel in Monterey, California and feature Jake Stock's 1987 Abalone Stompers
Jake Stock - vocals/clarinet/soprano & tenor sax, Jackie Coon - flugelhorn/vocals, Jackson Stock - trombone, Eddie Erickson - banjo/vocals, Alan O'Day - tuba, Chris Calabrese - piano, Ed on drums and some added personnel who dropped by to "sit in"(as noted in the track info).

Tracks include

1. CHATANOOGA CHOO CHOO - The train has left the station and steams right along with Ed Erickson's fine vocal. Bob Phillips' piano chorus is blistering and everyone stokes the fire on this very musical journey.

2. DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO MISS NEW ORLEANS? - A beautiful ballad with superb crooning by guest singer Allan Berman. Jackie Coon's soulful chorus underscores the emotional vocal. Andrew Fielding replaces Erickson on banjo.

3. LULU'S BACK IN TOWN - Papa Jake practically SHOUTS this one at you, then follows Coon and Jackson with his story on soprano sax. Alan O'Day propels this one with his big fat Sousaphone with a nice chorus by Andy Fielding on banjo.

4. ST. JAMES INFIRMARY BLUES - Downright lowdown saloon music sung by a man familiar with such things from his days of carousing on Cannery Row with author John Stienbeck. Papa sings the first chorus and Jack Coon sings the last. The band supplies that mournful choir.

5. SWEET GEORGIA BROWN - A funked-up classic (that's with an "n"). Drums try a half-time approach and Papa grabs the clarinet on this one. Erickson plays one of the funkiest banjo choruses then Alan shines on junkyard Sousaphone. Drums go ad-infinitem till they are mercifully faded out.

6. 'DEED I DO - Some great ensemble work and another vocal/story by Jake. After the horns, that's Papa on soprano sax.

7. AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' - Eddie Erickson sings this Fats Waller favorite followed by Jake on the tenor this time.

8. THE CANARY SONG - One of Ed Erickson's signature songs with Papa on tenor. Some slight tape saturation doesn't dampen the fine ensemble work. Chris Calabrese takes a barely audible but otherwise fine piano chorus. Erickson sings it out with some vocal help from Jackie Coon.

9. OL' ROCKIN' CHAIR - Papa Jake sings this one from the get-go accompanied by son Jackson on trombone. Jackie and Jackson trade four bar segments then Papa sings a pathos filled final chorus.

10. SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN - Since this concert was during the Christmas season we tried our version of this perennial kid's favorite. Papa Jake takes an especially funky tenor solo followed by Jackie Coon's mellow Flugelhorn and then Jackson Stock's trombone. Jackie Coon does the vocal and warns everyone about the perils of crying or shouting.

11. ST. LOUIS BLUES - Jake starts this one on clarinet with a latin rhythm till we swing into the chorus. After Papa's vocal everyone solos respectably. After Bob Phillips piano and Eddie Ericksons bluesy banjo we are joined by our fine flute playing friend Kenny Stahl. The "out" chorus is reminiscent of the big band days and we end with our break "tune" ala Guy Lombardo. ENJOY !

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