David X. Young's Jazz Loft: 1954-1965 [Box set]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 4, 2000
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Jazz Magnet
• ASIN: B00004YL9T
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,374 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Zoot Sims (12:50)

2. Spuds - Bob Brookmeyer (11:30)

3. Dark Cloud - Zoot Sims (3:41)

4. This Can't Be Love - Zoot Sims (16:30)

5. Zoot and Drums - Zoot Sims (2:52)

6. Stompin' at the Savoy - Zoot Sims (16:15)

7. Dog Story (:52)

8. There Will Never Be Another You - Bob Brookmeyer (15:42)

9. Wildwood - Bob Brookmeyer (8:38)

10. 821 Blues - Zoot Sims (11:13)

11. When the Sun Comes Out - Zoot Sims (6:18)

12. Groovin' High - Zoot Sims (17:43)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars listen first, while viewing reproductions, March 13, 2001

By 

joel fass (bronx,, n.y. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: David X. Young's Jazz Loft: 1954-1965 (Audio CD)

Great fun listening, and a bird's eye view of a great scene and time when some better-than-good jazz players converged to unwind, have fun and create. Everyone was in good form among friends, and Young provided the locus.

Instructions for use: 1: Bypass the drivel by Howard Mandel (he apparently didn't find it necessary to do even basic research, e.g.: he talks about the loft scene moving after the golden days of Young, et al---and mentions "Barry Harris's 'Jazz Center'" on 7th Avenue, which in fact was the Jazz Cultural Theater on 8th Avenue (I should know---I was on the scene as musician for its entire 5 year run). 2: Proceed immediately to your CD player and put disks on to hear some of the better players of the day (or any day)having a ball in a nurturing, incubating environment. 3: Flip through the leaflet to view terrific reproductions of David X. Young's highly individual and first-rate paintings (and photographs). 4: Read remarks by participants Brookmeyer, Crow, Charles.

If one bypasses the ancillary and useless commentary as indicated and goes to the meat of the art, a splendid time with a first-rate project that bears repeated revisiting is guaranteed.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars jazz loft, November 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: David X. Young's Jazz Loft: 1954-1965 (Audio CD)

This two-disc set features Zoot Sims on several occasions (most from a Christmas Eve, 1959 session) and Bob Brookmeyer with Jim Hall and Jimmy Raney (two sessions)at jam sessions recorded at artist David Young's loft in the flower district of Manhattan during the great flourishing of modern jazz in New York, 1955-1965. Sims, who thrived in this sort of informal environment, is wonderful throughout. Hall and Raney, especially on "Spuds," create some very exciting interplay. Brookmeyer (the notes hedge on his identity, but I think they are correct) has a wonderfully sui generis piano solo on one of the tracks featuring Zoot. Excellent reproductions of some of Young's paintings, some great photographs taken at these sessions, and some funny reminiscences from the participants. Howard Mandel's intro, though, is a rehash of the usual cliches about the 50s. I hope we get to hear more from these sessions.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VALUABLE GOOD LOOK INTO LOFT JAM SESSION FROM THE FIFTIES, October 14, 2009

By 

Stuart Jefferson (San Diego,Ca) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: David X. Young's Jazz Loft: 1954-1965 (Audio CD)

Two discs 68,59 minutes each approximately. The sound is very good considering when these tracks were recorded (late fifties) and where (a jazz loft/tenement in N.Y. City. Included is a poster of Sonny Rollins,which is a painting by David X. Young. There is a nice soft-cover book (5 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches) accompanying the music,that is integral to understanding this era and the music captured in these jam sessions. The book explains a bit about the era that spawned this music,and about the loft's owner,David X. Young. Young's paintings are featured throughout the book,along with a number of small black and white photographs of a number of the jazz artists who visited and jammed at the loft. There is an introduction by Howard Mandel,the jazz writer,which,in some spots is informative and helps set the scene for both the music and the paintings,and in others is basically superfluous to this release. One small thing I don't like. The two discs are half-slipped,bare,into cardboard slots in the package-not the best for keeping them in pristine shape. I placed mine in a double jewel case for protection.

Along with the paintings,which are very visceral in execution and style,and help set the stage for this music,the most interesting writing is by Bob Brookmeyer,the jazz trombonist,Teddy Charles the vibraphone player,Bill Crow the bassist,and David Young,the painter (and piano player of some skill),all telling their tales of living,hanging out,and jamming at the loft. These writings alone give this music a solid foundation,and give the listener some insight into what went on everyday and at anytime of day or night. Most jazz listeners have no doubt heard jam sessions before. But for some reason,this set,along with everything else in this package,gives this music a real feel of a true fifties,loft,jazz session. There is an almost effortless feel to the playing,a relaxed swing to this music that's very infectious. On these tracks you can hear the various players trying out different approaches to the tunes. Above all there is a real feeling of excitement,of joy in making this music. Occasionally voices can be heard in the background,instructing someone to slow down,or to simply urge someone on during a tune. The players include,among others,Zoot Sims,Don Ellis,Dave McKenna,Steve Swallow,Mose Allison,Pepper Adams,Jimmy Raney,Jim Hall,and Brookmeyer and Charles.

This is a slice of a jazz music jam session that happened everyday back in the fifties,and this neat release is a real-deal look into the era. Not only is the music worthwhile,the paintings by Young also have the feel of the era and the music-an era that will never be repeated. But at least we have this inside look into a small,but important time in jazz history. The "loft scene" is an area of jazz that hasn't been well documented,considering how important it was for the progression of jazz in general. Nonetheless,this belongs in everyone's collection who likes jazz and wants a look into how it was created. This set has been available for a while now,but who knows for how much longer-pick it up while you can.