Last batch of records from the first bookcase of records are by Jimmy Giuffre.

That is, I’m just a little bit under halfway at this point, having started to listen to my LPs in alphabetical order about 4 years ago.  This experience has been amazing, so far.  After all, I didn’t buy my records in alphabetical order, and the deep-dive into each musician or band’s catalog is really bringing revelations to me.  Everyone should do this!

I first heard Giuffre’s music in my first semester at New England Conservatory of Music.  I think the introduction came from his composition “Dragonfly,” which we played in George Russell’s ensemble.  I was blown away by the writing and went out and purchased a few records by the Jimmy Giuffre 3 (with Bley and Swallow).  They continue to be an inspiration.

Jimmy Giuffre – This PA USA reissue of a Giuffre record on Capitol has wonderful Giuffre writing and clarinet playing.  The band is an all-star West Coast cast, with Bud Shank, Shorty Rogers, Ralph Pena (his steady bassist in the 1950s) and Shelly Manne.  Curtis Counce is on a couple tunes, too.  Despite the amazing writing and the lyrical interpretations, I find the groove to be stiff and boxy on much of this record.  I wonder why?  I love those cats, but man, they are just not relaxed at all on this record.

Tangents in Jazz – This is an absolute MUST LISTEN for all jazz composers.  This record is amazing.  Giuffre was one of the greatest composers, arrangers and thinkers in jazz.

The Jimmy Giuffre Clarinet – Another extraordinary record, especially for composers.  Some totally amazing musicians on here, too, including Jimmy Rowles, Bud Shank, Shelly Manne, Ralph Pena(!), and Stan Levy.  I love this version of “My Funny Valentine.”

The Jimmy Giuffre 3 – Jazzlore 46 – A fantastic record featuring Giuffre at the top of his writing and playing in the 1950s, and Ralph Pena (again, !), and totally wonderful Jim Hall.

IAI Festival – This is actually a Various Artists line up, not really a Giuffre record, but hey, he gets top billing, so that’s that.  It also stars Lee Konitz, Bill Connors and Paul Bley (pianist and owner/Head Honcho of IAI – Improvising Artists International).  This is one of those records that is so unbelievable, and so un-heard, that I’m practically honored to listen to it.  Simply amazing music.

Dragonfly – This was my introduction to Giuffre’s music; as a student at New England Conservatory, in George Russell’s ensemble, he called “Dragonfly” and it totally kicked my a$$.  Bob Nieske (former Either/Orchestra bassist, and current NEC faculty member), however, plays the heck out of it.  Pete Levin, brother of the amazing bassist Tony Levin, is also amazing on this album.  Randy Kaye rounds out the band, and sounds fantastic, too.  Giuffre is in fantastic form, thinking for the first time about electric music (aka Fusion), and it’s a pleasure to check out.

And that’s it.  I have a bunch of Giuffre CD’s, too.  The only time I had any exposure to the man, himself, was in the last year or so of his life.  Alice Russell (George’s widow – but he was still alive at the time) took a copy of my CD, Study of Light, when they visited the Giuffres for Thanksgiving or Christmas (I can’t remember which!), and played it for him.  His records, and especially “Thesis,” were huge influences on my album.  I felt honored that Alice was willing to take time out of their time together to try to convey to Giuffre how much I loved his music.  I still feel that way.

Enjoy, R.

PS – That’s the end of the first…almost half…of this listening project!  Here’s what I have heard over the past four years:

R.