Herbie Mann - COMPLETE RECORDINGS: 1955-1957 - A true pioneer of his instrument - indeed his predecessors were few and far between - Herbie Mann was one of the first to take the flute into the mainstream jazz spotlight. Embracing elements of numerous genres throughout his long and decorated career, Mann was lauded for his intricate playing and impeccable sense of groove that would influence generations of flautists to follow. Born Herbert Jay Solomon in Brooklyn, New York on 16th April 1930, Mann became enamored with music at an early age, initially wishing to learn drums but eventually being convinced by a family member to take up clarinet instead. His parents, both of Eastern European descent, were dancers and singers before becoming vocal coaches later on in life. Mann attended Lincoln High School in Brighton Beach, and gave his first ever performance at a resort in the Catskills aged 15. After serving four years in the army including time stationed in Trieste, Italy, where he had played saxophone in the military band, Mann returned to the United States in 1952, only to find the Lester Young-derived style he had adopted now oversaturated the music scene. Fate was on Mann s side however, as he was soon approached by Dutch accordionist Mat Mathews, who was seeking a flautist to appear alongside him on the debut album of the then-unknown jazz vocalist Carmen McRae. These sessions would later be released as Carmen McRae (Bethlehem, 1954), and would enable Mann to distinguish himself as one of the first and most groundbreaking jazz flautists. In December of that year he would also appear on Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown (EmArcy), an album that would go on to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. It was soon after these collaborations that Herbie Mann began taking part in his first studio sessions as bandleader. These would initially be released as the 10 East Coast Jazz/4 (Bethlehem, 1954), and later as a full album with additional recordings as Herbie Mann Plays (Bethlehem, 1956). These sessions also saw the first collaboration of Mann with esteemed jazz guitarist Joe Puma, who would feature on nearly all of Mann s albums over the next four years. Whilst well known for his adoption of different styles as his career progressed, Herbie stayed firmly within the realms of cool jazz during this early period, a direction which received mixed reviews from critics at the time but did little to halt his rising popularity. His proper debut album, Flamingo (Bethlehem 1955) would appear the following year, along with an appearance on The Herbie Mann-Sam Most Quintet (Bethlehem), a collaboration with one of his few flute contemporaries. Mann would also release two highly-regarded albums alongside Belgian flautist and tenor saxophonist Bobby Jaspar: Flute Flight and Flute Souffl? (both Prestige, 1957). This four disc collection contains, in their entirety, the recordings that would prove the crucial foundation for this magnificent musician s career. Remastered in excellent quality and featuring nearly five hours of sublime music, this set captures perfectly the striking ability of Herbie Mann during the earliest period of his recording career, and hints at the potential that, when realized, would go on to establish Mann as one of the finest purveyors of his instrument within the world of jazz.
1. I've Told Ev'ry Little Star 2. Love Is a Simple Thing 3. There's No You 4. Sorimao 5. The Influential Mr Cohn 6. A One Way Love 7. The Surrey with the Fringe on Top 8. Flamingo 9. Little Orphan Annie 10. Jasmin 11. Beverly 12. Woodchuck 13. Fascinating Rhythm 14. Why Do I Love You 15. It's Only Sunshine 16. Love Letters 17. Let's Get Away from It All 18. Flying Home 19. I'll Remember April 20. Empathy 21. It Might As Well Be Spring 22. Just One of Those Things 23. Seven Come Eleven 24. Chicken Little 25. Cuban Love Song 26. The Things We Did Last Summer 27. Deep Night 28. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 29. After Work 30. Moon Dreams 31. A Spring Morning 32. Scuffles 33. The Purple Grotto 34. My Little Suede Shoes 35. Love and the Weather 36. But Beautiful 37. Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most 38. I'm Glad There Is You 39. A Sinner Kissed An Angel 40. High on a Windy Hill 41. Ill Wind 42. For Heaven's Sake 43. Autumn Nocturne 44. Moon Love 45. Morning Side of the Mountain 46. Like Someone in Love 47. Yardbird Suite 48. Here's That Mann 49. One for Tubby 50. Squire's Parlor 51. Who Knew 52. Opicana 53. Herbie's Buddy 54. 8. Perdido 55. 9. Baubles, Bangles and Beads 56. 0. Give a Little Whistle 57. Here's Pete 58. Theme from 'Theme From' 59. Nancy (With the Laughing Face) 60. Morning After 61. Tutti Flutie 62. Bo-Do 63. Flute Bass Blues 64. Flute Bob 65. Solacium 66. Tel Aviv 67. Somewhere Else 68. Let's March 69. Chasing the Bird
