Finding Some Surprising Dexter and Wardell

One of the things I love about collecting jazz records is that there always seems to be something new to discover. Case in point: Last week I purchased that collection of mostly traditional jazz records, with a bunch of 10-inch LPs as well as some nice 78 boxed sets. I was going through some of the records this evening and came upon this 10-incher: Gene Norman Presents Just Jazz Featuring Les Thompson and His Harmonica, RCAVictor 3102. Frankly, I had never heard of Les Thompson and I’m not a huge fan of jazz harmonica, although I can appreciate some of Toots Thielemans. When I looked closer at the record, however, I noticed some quite interesting sidemen, most particularly Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray. I had thought

I knew just about every record on which Dexter played, but obviously I did not. I’ve listened to one side of this and it’s pretty good, although I’m still waiting for a Dexter solo. This record looks to be from 1952. Anyone out there have any more insight/information? If you enlarge the picture on the site, you can clearly see the sidemen, which also includes Chico Hamilton and Conte Candoli.

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2 comments

  • “Just Jazz” Pasadena,feb.02-1952
    take the A train,robbins nest,stardust:
    c candoli tp,d gordon,w gray,l thompson hca,bobby tucker p,don bagley b,c hamilton dr;
    undecided,lady be good,over the rainbow,I’m in the mood for love,hot harmonica boogie:
    same date
    l thompson,bob harrington p,red callender b,bill douglas dr

    victor lpm 3102

  • I’ve got a 10-inch LP Gene Norman’s Just Jazz (Vogue L.D.E.101) recorded 1947 featuring Wardell Gray, Ernie Royal and Barney Kessel among others. The two tracks are: “Just Bop” and “California Conquest”.
    Anyone got any info on it’s worth or an interested buyer.

    Thanks, Andrew

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