Recently Hollywood has jumped into international prominence as the site of the latest epoch in jazz evolution, following such illustrious eras as those of New Orleans, Chicago, Kansas City, etc. Originality of organization is the keynote yet the basic elements of jazz, swing and freedom of expression, remain unspoiled. Nocturne herewith presents a group headed by Herbie Harper, trombonist, whose swinging style and infectious enthusiasm blend with the like talents of Bob Gordon, baritone ; Jimmy Rowles, piano ; Harry Babasin bass ; and Roy Harte, drums, to give further credence to the existence of the current Hollywood movement. Herbie Harper was born at Salina, Kansas in 1920, moved at a very early age to Amarillo, Texas, where through an excellent high school band program, he developed his basic trombone technique. After two years in the Colorado School of Mines at Golden Coloado, Herbie was lured away from school by his desire for success in the then-flourishing dance band business. Among the name bands of that period, he appeared with Johnny "Scat" Davis, Gene Krupa, Charlie Spivak, Benny Goodman, and Charlie Barnet. In 1947 Harper decided to forego traveling in favor of permanent residence in Hollywood. The lush fields of radio, recordings, television, and movies soon availed themselves of his considerable talents, sating his financial needs while allowing him time to pursue his innate iazz desires. These pursuits led Herbie to institute and organize the well-remembered Monday-night jam sessions at the Showtime, one of the very few successful progressive jazz ventures of the late forties...
(From the original Liner Notes)
Harbie Harper
Quintet
Featuring
Bob Gordon
Tracks
1 Jeepers Leapers (McDougald) 5:12
2 Dinah (Lewis, Young, Akst) 2:54
3 Five Brothers (Mulligan) 2:13
4 Herbstone (Harper) 2:58
5 Summertime (Gershwin, Heyward) 3:01
6 Jive at Five (Edison) 4:18
*
Personnel
Herbie Harper - tb
Bob Gordon - bs
Jimmy Rowles - p
Roy Harte - b
Harry Babasin - dr
Recorded at Gold Star Studios, Hollywood, California ; February 27, 1954