sections and the undistorted vitality of the soloists. "There are too few big bands now and it gives me a great thrill to handle one. I intend to take advantage of the several good ways they can be recorded. In this case, we wanted a sense of intimacy and chose Capitol's studio on West 46th Street, in preference to the larger Riverside Plaza. We intend to tape sonic concerts and per- formances on location to give the perspec- tive of a big hall. Our next date is set for Bill Putnam's Universal Studios in Chi- cago, when the band plays an engagement at the Regal Theater. The arrangements by Hefti are ready and a series of college dates will get them in shape." In giving aid to the establishment of CHARLES A. ROBERTSON* the new series, Reig expects to be in charge of sessions by Mary Lou Williams, Cannon- ball Adderley, , and . : Basie the best dance band. Williams will be de- "There is enough talent in the field to go Roulette R52003 veloped as a singer of popular ballads. around," Reig commented when asked how Joe Williams: A Man Ain't Supposed To "Before you get the idea our only it feels to work for another company, "and Cry ambition is to commercialize them, I should I like to present new men on my Libel. In Roulette R52005 mention a part of our scheme most attrac- my various capacities, I first introduced Belafonte, , George In addition to introducing a new tive to me. Basie will again be heard lend- Shearing and . Morris Levy line of much promise, these two albums ing his special qualities to a small group and I be- came acquainted in the days of forecast a bright period of growth for the on a number of albums entitled, `Basic the Royal Roost and our tastes in jazz Count Basie band and its vocalist Joe Presents.' They will feature his own men are similar. Once something is projected, he believes in Williams. The "Birdland" series is a and other talented soloists, plus a lot more pet giving full freedom to his project of Morris Levy, owner of the of the Count 's piano than has been heard artists and pro- jazz ducers. As a result, Hefti emporium of the same name and youthful recently. As the first stars Eddie Davis, his says he is doing his best work and Basie can plan president of Roulette, and its launching newest tenor -sax player, they will be a lot anything he wants. Specs Powell handled his involved a year 's preparation, climaxed by like the spirited performance we are listen- own date, but help and an exchange the signing of these two artists last August. ing to tonight. Williams will continue to of ideas are available when needed. As the first From its formation in January of 1957, sing the blues. Fresh material is hard to album by Williams is aimed the huge success in the popular field greeted come by and both of us are busy with re- at popular market, I asked the advice of Hugo the company, and the mechanics of supply- search for authentic and unspoiled num- Peretti and Luigi Creatore, co- ing the demand for its product stretched bers." directors in charge of artists and repertoire men its resources. But there was time to build To avoid duplicating existing recordings, at Roulette, in its preparation. His voice was a foundation for a more extensive program a whole new book is in prospect for the treated to more of an echo than will be and it is now expanding in all directions, band, according to Reig who said, "Frank used in a blues session and the arrangements including the classical. One unusual factor Foster, Neal Hefti, Jimmy Mundy and by Mundy are of the soothing in this rapid development is the delega- other arrangers are working on it, but the sort." For the most part our conversation tion of Teddy Reig, the head of his own process is a slow one. The present album took took three months to prepare. The differ- place in the office of the club, where we company, to work with the Basie aggrega- retired tion. Operator ence between recording a number after a during an intermission, as the of the Roost label since opening attracted 1950, he supervised few rehearsals and doing it after Basie a capacity crowd. Taking sessions for Savoy dur- a brief moment ing the five preceding applies the finishing touches on the road from his duties as host, years. As an en- Count Basie thusiastic follower of the is tremendous. It means the ease of a came in and expressed his ap- band, he sought proval of the out Basie at his first New York swinging band and the extra time is worth sound on the album with a appearance smile and a friendship of more it. The older favorites are being revitalized of satisfaction. And before leaving, than twenty he years' standing ensued. by new treatments, some of them to in- had a complimentary pat on the back elude for Reig, who concluded by When we arranged to meet to discuss the vocals by a trio or chorus." saying, "To Pointing me the handling of Basie and his thinking behind the first releases and sonic out that the planning of an LP band is involves the culmination of our of the plans for future dates, the most the successful marriage of many twenty years of elements, friendship. I welcome the responsibility, convenient place turned out to be Basic's Reig continued, "We all felt the but am most own bar in on the night the Eddie thought behind our first effort should be in happy that he will again work the with a small group. Many Davis trio opened. Although his interest in direction of the band's unique tonal companies con- it uneconomical to use jazz made him a collector in the early 30 's, qualities, from Basie and his characteristic sider a leader with rhythm a name as a when he traded information with two others section to the coloring and shading sideman. I always admired who went on to produce their own of the sections. Too often these essentials John Hammond for his efforts to employ sessions Benny -Dan Qualey of Solo Art and Alfred Lion are lost in the studio and we wanted the Goodman and Basie in such units. of Blue Note -he is most happy full sound, as we know it, transferred to They both have so much to offer in the way when guidance listening to musicians in their natural records. Hefti wrote with that in mind, of and inspiration. The album habitat. "At the time Morris Levy gave Basie considered it in setting the tempos with Eddie Davis is completed and others me my assignment," Reig began, "we and it dictated the methods I used in the featuring Joe Newman, Frank Foster, and Frank Wess agreed that our object would be to help studio. are underway." "You Roulette is managed Basic and Williams realize their full po- will notice the Basie piano is by a Board of tential. An over -all program of consider- heard more than during any session in Directors, consisting of the seven found- ing able scope and some flexibility was out- years. This served as a focal point for the partners. In charge of sales is Joe lined and will find them doing some new engineer, Bob Arnold, who gave me every- Kolsky, who carries the conviction that and exciting things in the near future. thing I wanted. As much as possible, the proper promotion and an alert distribution Basie is known as the leader of the most close -miking gives the listener the feeling network can gain a greater acceptance for swinging band and by this time next year he is sitting beside the Count and hearing jazz. He is confident the groundwork laid we want him recognized as the leader of the band with the Count's ears. There is in the past year will bear out his belief. the pulsing beat of Freddy Greene 's guitar, The custom department of Capitol Rec- * 73.2 The Parkway, Mamaroneck, N. Y. the suppressed power of the well -separated ords, used by many independents, is staffed

50 AUDIO APRIL, 1958