Don Menza
First Flight – Complete Recordings (2-CD Set)
Fresh Sound Records
Reference: FSRCD 891_2
Bar code: 8427328608916
Don Menza was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where he began playing tenor saxophone when he was 13. After serving in the U.S. Army, he worked with Maynard Ferguson’s Orchestra (1960–1962) as a soloist and an arranger. A short time with Stan Kenton and a year leading a quintet in Buffalo preceded a period living in Germany (1964–68).
“Coming to California in 1968 was a cultural shock for me,” he remembers. “I had just left Germany where I had the security of a steady job with the now legendary Max Greger TV Orchestra.” But there were consolations. “Los Angeles was home to one of my very favorite trombone players—Frank Rosolino,” he explains. “For over 10 years we played gigs together on the West Coast and he always amazed me with his lyricism and incredible facility on what some people regard as a ‘cumbersome’ instrument. We toured Europe with Supersax and played a memorable week-long gig at the “Domicile” in Munich at the end of that tour. These recordings are the results of those times together. Thank you Frank, for your musicianship and enthusiasm, you are sorely missed…”
In a career that also included spells in Buddy Rich’s 1968 big band (recording the famous solo cadenza on “Channel One Suite” live at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas which is now regarded as a classic), and in the bands of Elvin Jones and Louie Bellson, Don Menza still looks back on his times with Frank Rosolino with particular pride and affection.
CD 1 – Master Tracks
01. Bones Blues 7:32 *
02. Mz. Liz 6:38
03. April’s Fool 7:18
04. Magnolia Rose 8:21
05. Intrigue 4:32 *
06. Spanish Boots 9:52 *
07. Groove Blues 6:03
08. Samba de Rollins 8:36
09. Collage 5:02
10. Ballad of the Matador 7:45
CD 2 – Bonus Tracks
01. Bones Blues 9:28 *
02. Mz. Liz 7:54 *
03. Intrigue 6:12 *
04. Magnolia Rose 9:18 *
05. Groove Blues 8:55 *
06. Spanish Boots 9:48 *
(*) Previously unreleased
All tracks composed by Don Menza; except CD1 #2 & CD2 #2 by Alan Broadbent, and CD1 #10 by Frank Strazzeri
Source: CD 1, tracks #2,3,4,7-10 originally issued on the LP “First Light” (Catalyst CAT 7617)
DON MENZA QUINTET
Don Menza, tenor & soprano sax, flute; Frank Rosolino, trombone; Alan Broadbent, piano, string synthesizer; Tom Azarello, bass; Nick Ceroli, drums.
Paulinho & Claudio Slon, percussion, added on “April’s Fool”, “Spanish Boots”, “Samba de Rollins”; Frank Strazzeri, piano on “Ballad of the Matador”; Mayo Tiana, bass trombone, added on “Samba de Rollins”.
Recorded at Sage & Sound Studios, Hollywood, CA, July 1976
Original recordings produced by Don Menza & Pat Britt
Cover design: David Lartaud (Catalyst)
This CD release produced by Don Menza & Jordi Pujol
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"Don't play what the public want. You play what you want and let the public pick up on what you doin' -- even if it take them fifteen, twenty years." (Thelonious Monk) | Meine Sendungen auf Radio StoneFM: gypsy goes jazz, #164: Neuheiten aus dem Archiv, 10.6., 22:00 | Slow Drive to South Africa, #8: tba | No Problem Saloon, #30: tba