Harry James ‎– Verve Jazz Masters 55 (1996)

1 	I Surrender Dear 	3:02
2 	Walkin' 	4:19
3 	Eyes 	4:10
4 	Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) 	3:20
5 	The Truth 	3:04
6 	End Of Town Blues 	3:00
7 	Hommage À Swee Pea 	5:13
8 	Cornet Chop Suey 	2:41
9 	If I Could Be With You 	2:36
10 	Frenesi 	2:03
11 	Blues Like 	4:15
12 	The Jazz Connoisseur 	3:32
13 	Sophisticated Lady 	2:25
14 	A Swinging Serenade 	3:22
15 	Rosebud 	3:48
16 	Mister Johnson 	2:53

John Audino 	Trumpet
Bud Billings 	Trumpet
Modesto Briseno 	Sax (Tenor)
Nick Buono 	Trumpet
Joe Cadena 	Trombone
Dick Cathcart 	Trumpet
Joe Comfort 	Bass
Corky Corcoran 	Sax (Tenor)
Jay Corre 	Sax (Tenor)
Vince Diaz 	Trombone
Bob Edmondson 	Trombone
Sam Firmature 	Sax (Tenor)
Jake Hanna 	Drums
Dick Hyde 	Trombone
Harry James 	Trumpet
Red Kelly 	Bass
Fred Koyen 	Trumpet
Dick Leith 	Trombone
Herb Lorden 	Sax (Alto)
Dave Madden 	Sax (Tenor)
Matty Matlock 	Clarinet
Larry McGuire 	Trumpet
Dick McQuardy 	Trombone
Eddie Miller 	Sax (Tenor)
Jack Mills 	Drums
Ollie Mitchell 	Trumpet
Jack Perciful 	Piano
Charlie Persip 	Drums
Russ Phillips 	Bass
Bob Poland 	Sax (Tenor)
Buddy Rich 	Drums
Joe Riggs 	Sax (Alto)
Bob Rolfe 	Trumpet
Ray Sims 	Trombone
Ernie Small 	Sax (Baritone)
Ernie Tack 	Trombone
Rob Turk 	Trumpet
Dempsey Wright 	Guitar 

Although he has surprisingly few CDs currently available, Harry James remains one of the world's most famous trumpeters, more than a decade after his death. This Verve CD is a sampler of his MGM recordings of 1959-64 and, although the claim in the liner notes that this was James' most creative period is nonsense, he does sound versatile and in consistently fine form on the wide-ranging set. Whether it be swing standards, challenging charts by Ernie Wilkins and Ralph Burns (including two that were previously unissued) or a tribute to Louis Armstrong on "Cornet Chop Suey," James is in fine form. ---Scott Yanow, AllMusic Review

Shortly after his release from his Capital contract, James recorded numerous LPs for MGM, the masters of which are now controlled by Verve/Polygram. Until those original recordings are re-released in their entirety, we'll have to make do with these selected tracks, all of which are wonderful. Spanning a period of time in the early 60's, the original albums featured great arrangements, wonderful musicianship, and quite good recording quality. My favorite track (and there are really no bad tracks on this date - I just wish there were more!) is a cover of the old Bing Crosby tune I Surrender, Dear, taken from a small group date with Buddy Rich on drums. Harry plays some of the best improvisational jazz trumpet I've ever heard on this tune, and it's breathtaking to listen to. The Jazz Connoisseur, title track from the album of the same name, demonstrates James' approach to more modern jazz arrangements, and the band cooks. Lover Man highlights James' ability to take a back seat to no soloist on his instrument. Walkin', an Ernie Wilkins arrangement of the (then new) jazz evergreen, is the best big band version I've encountered. Overall, until (I pray) the original recordings are re-released in their entirety,this release will do nicely. Thank you, Verve! ---R. Viehdorfer, amazon.com

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