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…and more bears RECORDINGS “designed for repeated listening” AMB 90223 2

A SYMPHONY OF POPULAR SONGS THE RUSSO ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM RUSSO

1. Late In September (Lanham) ...... 2:57 2. David And Goliath (Stanphill) ...... 4:11 3. Till I Return (Drori)...... 4:38 4. Blowin' For Bonnie (Sash - Morgan) ...... 1:58 5. The Whistler's Mambo (Pandy - Fields) ...... 3:38 6. El Chico (Deiro) ...... 2:13 7. I Can't Go For You (Tolbert) ...... 2:38 8. Introductory For Mort Sahl (Guarno) ...... 2:27 9. Rondo (Karlin)...... 4:08 10. Sound Piece (No. 1) (Guarno) ...... 3:53 11. The Fan (Guarno)...... 3:12

Original SESAC N-3401/02 ●P 1959

Achtern Dahl 4 • D-27729 Vollersode • PGermany 2013 & C 2013 …AND MORE BEARS LC 12483 AMB 90223 3

A SYMPHONY OF POPULAR SONGS THE RUSSO ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM RUSSO

The Russo Orchestra is based on an idea: that people enjoy the orchestra, especially when it is formally organized and when its power is used carefully and discriminately. The music in this album is sometimes very strong, but the strength is not continuously displayed. The divisions of the music are easily understood and repetitions of melodies (especially the light and charming ones) are frequent. The rhythmic excitement is here, but there is also lyricism and sonority – the brittle sounds of a loud drummer do not overshadow the music. There are twenty-two players in the group, including its leader. To the four trumpets, five trombones, five saxophones, guitar, bass, and drums of the standard jazz orchestra are added four cellos, mostly for their ability to mellow the texture of this large body of wind instruments. The rhythm section is laid out in a line in the center of the orchestra and each of the sections is roughly divided into halves. The left side of the orchestra, then, is made up of two trumpets, three trombones, two saxophones, and two cellos. The left and right sides of the orchestra are then played against each other, questioning and answering and sometimes duplicating the other choir. Russo has been active in the jazz field for more than 15 years. He headed his own groups in , where he was raised, and spent the years from 1950 to 1954 with the Orchestra, for which he wrote a great deal of its most impressive music. He has also written three ballets, two symphonies and a number of other works which are probably closer to “classical” music than they are to jazz. AMB 90223 4

A SYMPHONY OF POPULAR SONGS THE RUSSO ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM RUSSO

The six pieces on side A of this disc represent a re-working of six simple popular songs into a larger form. They are effective pieces individually, but also fit together into what Russo has called ‘A Symphony Of Popular Songs.’ Late In September is a montage of metropolitan sounds in a multitonal impression of the big city as Autumn encroaches. David And Goliath starts with a short spiritual refrain that gradually builds into an inspired musical portrayal of the biblical saga. Till I Return is a haunting musical piece, filled with rich chromatic beauty – another example of the free emotional world of jazz happily mated to the formalized concept of symphonic writing. The powerful and brilliant sounds of Blowin’ For Bonnie are somewhat akin to the bold and expressive ballet scores of Broadway musicals, and The Whistler’s Mambo is an elaboration of a captivating theme sporting a sprightly Latin beat. El Chico, concludes the “symphony” with a rhythmically exciting “paso doble in jazz.” The flip side opens with a fugue-in-jazz statement called I Can’t Go For You. Then, Introductory Music For Mort Sahl, pays tribute to the unsparing flow of humorous entertainment with which the popular comedian delights his audiences. Rondo is an inventive, swinging interpretation, and Sound Piece sounds off on one of Bill Russo’s favorite projects, that of bringing jazz techniques to the large orchestra. The Fan is a highly captivating closer that carefully explores the interplay of various sections of the orchestra.

Original Liner Notes AMB 90223 5

…and more bears RECORDINGS “designed for repeated listening”

For the very first time you now can acquire –These recordings were initially produced for exclusively throughAND … MORE BEARS – the PT SESAC, America's second-oldest copyright society. Master Recording catalog, formerly known as The library was active from the late 1940s until 'SESAC Transcribed Library'. Extensive parts of the early ‘80s. The rights to the recordings were this catalog will be available worldwide for owned exclusively by the heirs of the SESAC downloading through the regular channels and founder and, with a few exceptions, have never platforms, as well as CD-on-demand albums. been used for vinyl recordings... much less CD. The most important point for music lovers and collectors is the material's exclusiveness:

the music was unavailable elsewhere. Highlights of the catalogue include: The musicians and band-leaders were given studio ● A catalog of more than 7500 songs; time to record exclusive sessions of extra songs. Successful artists liked SESAC because it meant ● Exclusive recordings from jazz giants such as Count some extra money. From the very beginning, the Basie, , Woody Herman and many others; repertoire was only available on a loan basis for ● Ace session musicians and supporting players who were radio stations – every month the stations were stars in their own right like Alice Coltrane, Nat Adderly, given 40 cm transcription discs (later LP-sized Thad Jones, Kai Winding, Si Zentner, Gary Burton, Andy discs) that were delivered with complete text Williams, Eric Dolphy, Zoot Sims and many, many more; information for the radio presenters. For DJs, ● Rare and sought after session recordings with Chet At- SESAC transcriptions meant interesting and rare kins, The Jordanaires, Anita Kerr, Richard Maltby, Tony material for their audiences. And the sound Mottola, Nathaniel Shilkret, The Stamps Baxter Men, quality is brilliant, as the recordings took place The Statesmen, Webb Pierce and Faron Young; in some of America's best studios, and out- standing arrangers worked on these sessions. ● Extensive classical repertoire with symphony orchestras. ● 1950s material in categories like Swing, Lounge, Country, Folk, Barbershop, Choir, Cowboy Music, Southern Gospel, Hawaiian, Latin, Marching Bands, Polkas among others.

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