Comments on: Potpourri of Vinyl, Record Shows, Old Photos

By: geoffrey wheeler

geoffrey wheeler — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 16:39:57 +0000

IMO Gus Johnson was one of the greatest jazz drummers. He first garnered attention when he joined Jay McShann’s band in 1938. He joined Basie around 1950, replacing Butch Ballard, who had replaced Jo Jones. He was with Basie until 1954 when he suffered appendicitis in Boston and left the band. He was replaced by Sonny Payne. I first saw Payne with Basie at Storyville. He had only been with the band a few days.

Started by Woody Herman in 1952, the Mars Records label folded in ’54. The company released 16 78s numbered M-100 through M-1006 (M-100, M-200, etc.). The company also released a few 45s and EPs, plus two 10-inch LPs. I have all the 78s, the two LPs, plus a two-disc EP set, not otherwise listed in Internet discographies. The 78s are nice pressings but their crappy labels are subject to fading. Norman Granz reportedly bought the catalog.

Phil Urso played with Herman’s Third Herd. He recorded with Bob Brookmeyer on a Savoy 10-inch LP I bought at Sam Goody’s West Side store for 99 cents. Phil had a brother (whose name I forget) who wrote and published a book on high-note trumpet players. He lent me the book because he had run out of copies to sell.

By: Michel

Michel — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 14:30:32 +0000

On the first photo the white sax player seated could be Phil Urso

By: giovanni zanoni

giovanni zanoni — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 06:46:26 +0000

I have several books on jazz- among others “a pictorial history of jazz” and others by william claxton,joachim berendt etxc.I think I’ve seen Gus Johnson photo in one of them or on the back of a record cover…

By: Al

Al — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 13:02:15 +0000

Giovanni, that looks to be right, based on a Google search. How did you know that?

By: giovanni zanoni

giovanni zanoni — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 07:23:05 +0000

1st photo is gus johnson drummer

By: Clifford Allen

Clifford Allen — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 05:45:24 +0000

Who cares about records? Those photos rule.

By: Giovanni Zanoni

Giovanni Zanoni — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 21:36:07 +0000

The man in the picture is Gus Johnson drummer with Count Basie and several others

By: Abrasive_Beautiful

Abrasive_Beautiful — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 20:08:12 +0000

RL–I don’t disagree with you, but as a seller and buyer I think it’s just as or more effective to have a simple scale, good photos, and a written description. So then even with some ambiguity within the established system, the buyer can then decide whether they agree or not.

Also, some sellers will use the superfluous ++++pluses and EX specifically to buffer themselves from disagreements about what NM is. If you catch my drift.

As for that Una Mas, I can see the tiny laminate peels but overall it’s about as good as it gets imo. So I agree with his NM rating in this case.

By: geoffrey wheeler

geoffrey wheeler — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 19:23:11 +0000

The first photo looks like Louis Jordan. The second may also be Jordan appearing with Woody Herman’s Third Herd. He was a handsome man. While the alto was his principal instrument, he also played tenor, baritone, clarinet, and piano.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 18:14:10 +0000

I agree, that’s why when selling I use an EX grade in a clearly posted grading scale:
NM, EX, VG+, VG, VG-, G