Sandy Mosse - Relaxin' With Sandy Mosse & The Chicago Scene (2014)

Sandy Mosse (ts), with Dave Mulholland (tp), Ira Schulman (ts), Eddie Baker, Junior Mance (p), Jimmy Gourley (g), Leroy Jackson (b), Dorrell Anderson (d) / Cy Touff (b-tp), Eddie Higgins (p), Bob Cranshaw (b), Marty Clausen (d). Sources: Tracks #1-5, from the album Chicago Scene (Argo LP 609); Tracks #6-8 & 17-21, from the album Sandy Mosse - Relaxin (Argo LP 639): Tracks #9-16, from the album Cy Touff Touff Assignment (Argo LP 641)

Many musicians on the 50s Chicago scene felt that Sandy Mosse (1929-1983) was among the most eloquent tenor men in jazz. But recognition and opportunity were lacking until, finally, in 1956 he signed with Argo Records. The first product of this association was Chicago Scene, featuring sessions where Mosse joined such Chicago luminaires as Ira Shulman and Eddie Baker.

This reissue also includes Relaxin with Mosse, his only album as a leader, recorded in 1958. It gave him the chance to be heard with an accomplished young quartet that included pianist Junior Mance, and with a string section background. In both settings Mosse showed his considerable potential and forceful approach, and though he admired many musicians, one was his idol. Al Cohn is the epitome of tenor players, he said. That same year, Mosse was also featured on Touff Assigment, a well-conceived session with arrangement and two originals from Al Cohn and Ernie Wilkins, led by another Chicago legend, the bass trumpeter Cy Touff (1927-2003). Mosse and the leader assert themselves well, while pianist Eddie Higgins is notable in a looselimbed rhythm section that contributed much to the sessions success.