Mel Lewis - Mel Lewis Septet (Got 'Cha) & Sextet (2016)

Buffalo-born Mel “The Tailor” Lewis (1929-1990), one of the finest and most consistently exciting jazz drummers, first came to prominence during his 1954-56 tenure with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Lewis’s consummate taste, precision and unobtrusive warmth are clear from his first albums as leader, made on the West Coast in 1956 and 1957.

On “Got ‘Cha”, he fronts a septet which featured quality soloists in saxophonists Richie Kamuca, Jerry Coker and Pepper Adams—Mel’s buddy from the Kenton band—and used talented arrangers in Lennie Niehaus, Bill Perkins and, drawn from the septet, Coker, Adams and the group’s very capable pianist, Johnny Marabuto. The results are the epitome of relaxed swing and drive, and benefit from the firm hand of Kenton’s lead trumpet Ed Leddy, who solos with control and taste.

The second, “Sextet”, also features outstanding individualists in trumpeter Jack Sheldon, altoist Charlie Mariano and tenorist Bill Holman, with pianist Marty Paich and bassist Buddy Clark completing a sparkling rhythm section. With such a powerful lineup of solo talent, the music is timeless, fresh and stimulating. Voted New Star in the 1962 Down Beat International Critics Poll, he was also perfectly summed up by fellow drummer, Shelly Manne; “Mel’s main purpose is to move the group, he’s a real group player.” Mel Lewis is now best remembered for his big band work, particularly the famed Thad Jones-Mel Lewis orchestra, but as these small group sessions show,
he was a master regardless of context.