Herbert Arnold Geller (November 2, 1928 – December 19, 2013) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger. He was born in Los Angeles, California, United States. His mother, Frances (née Frances Mildred Fullman, also known as Fannie Fullman; 1899–1980), worked at the Hollywood neighborhood cinemas playing piano, accompanying silent movies. At the age of 8, Geller was presented with an alto saxophone, purchased from a local music store owner and music teacher who was also a family friend and had a used instrument for sale. Two years later, he started playing the clarinet. Geller attended Dorsey High School in the southwestern part of Los Angeles and joined the school band which among others included the musicians Eric Dolphy and Vi Redd. At the age of 14, he heard Benny Carter perform at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles and was so impressed that he decided to pursue a career in music, specializing on the alto saxophone. Two years later, he had his first professional engagement in the band of jazz violinist Joe Venuti.
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A short time later, he discovered the music of Charlie Parker, who became an important idol along with Benny Carter and Johnny Hodges. In 1949, Geller went to New York City for the first time, where he performed in the bands of Jack Fina, (with Paul Desmond also in the sax section), Claude Thornhill, Jerry Wald, and Lucky Millinder. During this time, he met pianist Lorraine Walsh in Los Angeles. Geller and Walsh got married in New York and she became an important musical partner, in addition to pursuing her own solo career...
Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Geller
The
Herb Geller
Sextet
Tracks
1 Outpost Incident (Geller) 4:21
2 Crazy He Calls Me (Russell, Sigman) 5:25
3 Gin for Flugelhorns (Geller) 3:40
4 Tardi at Zardi's (Geller) 4:35
5 Vone Mae (Geller) 5:31
6 Rockin' Chair (Geller) 4:58
7 Owl Eyes (Geller) 4:22
8 You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To (Porter) 3:08
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Personnel
[# 1, 2, 6 & 8]
Conte Candoli - tp
Herb Geller - as
Ziggy Vines - ts
Lorraine Geller - p
Keith Mitchell (aka Red Mitchell) - b
Eldridge Freeman - dr
Recorded in Los Angeles, California ; August 19, 1955
[# 3-5 & 7]
Same as above, except
Leroy Vinnegar - b, replaces Mitchell
Recorded in Los Angeles, California ; August 22, 1955