One of my most listened to records right now has to be an album I received for Christmas called “Jess Stacy Piano Solos.” I think it receives so much turntable time for a few reasons, but the main one is that it’s really just a nice collection of good swing music!
The album is the second I’ve come across from the Australian Swaggie label’s series “The Jazz Makers.” The other album I have from the label, “Bechet Spanier Four” runs along similar lines, being an album of collected works from a certain jazz musician or group. In this case, Swaggie has collected a variety of recordings featuring pianist Jess Stacy both as a solo performer and in groups big and small.
Side one is a set of 8 quartet recordings done in the early spring of 1951, featuring Stacy along with George Van Eps on guitar, Morty Corb on bass, and Nick Fatool on drums. The tunes are all familiar standards, including tunes like “Fascinating Rhythm” and “Back Home Again in Indiana.” These recordings were released at the time on a 10” LP under the same title as the Swaggie LP: “Jess Stacy Piano Solos.” It’s this side of the album that attracted me to it in the first place, as it features Van Eps playing rhythm as well as taking solos on several of the tracks. For a swing guitar enthusiast like me, these recordings are a gold mine! I haven’t come across many recordings featuring Van Eps with a very small group outside of another record I have titled “George Van Eps Plays Four Memorable Solos,” an album filled the rest of the way with a set of trio recordings featuring Van Eps, Stan Wrightsman on piano, and Eddie Miller on saxophone.
Side two is much more varied, including material recorded between 1935 and 1955. Stacy’s playing on this side is musical as always, and we get to hear him in settings varying from solo to duo with a drummer to one big band recording, with Bob Crosby’s Orchestra. There are even a few original tunes here. One big standout on side two, and another reason to pick up this album, is Stacy’s famous recording of Bix Beiderbecke’s “In the Dark/Flashes.” This classic solo piano medley is one of Stacy’s finest moments, in my opinion. It is right up there with his famous solo on “Swing Swing Swing.” If you haven’t heard it before, do yourself a favor and check it out on youtube.
If you are a fan of swing piano and/or swing guitar playing, pick this album up. You will not be disappointed. Stacy’s unwavering musicality makes even the most common standards exciting to hear again. George Van Eps’ features on side one make this a must for swing guitar fans. I commend Swaggie for this and other titles in their “Jazz Makers” series. It is great to have all this material on one well put together album.
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