The Nat Pierce-Dick Collins Nonet/The Charlie Mariano Sextet

Reissued on LP in the Original Jazz Classics series but not on CD, this fine set has two different groups headed by musicians who first gained important experience playing in the Boston area but were in San Francisco at that moment. Pianist Nat Pierce and trumpeter Dick Collins co-lead a nonet mostly drawn from the Woody Herman Big Band; featured along with the co-leaders are Dick Hafer and Jerry Coker on tenor, baritonist Jack Nimitz, trumpeter Johnny Howell, the bass trumpet of Cy Touff, bassist Red Kelly, and drummer Gus Gustafson. The band primarily showcases the underrated Collins, although the other horns have occasional solos, with quite a few of the songs (such as "Easy Living," "Blue Lester," "Honey Hush," and "The King") having been associated with the earlier Count Basie Orchestra. The flip side of the album puts the spotlight on the up-and-coming altoist Charles Mariano, who leads a sextet that includes trombonist Sonny Truitt (another former Bostonian), Dick Collins back on trumpet, pianist Richard Wyands (then a young unknown), bassist Vernon Alley, and drummer Joe MacDonald. They perform four standards and originals by Truitt and Vince Guaraldi ("The Nymph"). Overall, the album (which has 15 concise selections) should greatly interest bop and straight-ahead jazz collectors, since the playing is consistently rewarding and the performances are quite obscure. ~ Scott Yanow