Don Byas - New York 1945
Review by Alvaro Fernandez
Don Byas' album New York 1945 is a remarkable collection of jazz music that showcases the saxophonist's virtuosity and creativity. Released in 1996, this album features recordings made by Byas during his stint in New York City in the mid-1940s, and it captures the spirit of the era with its energetic and soulful performances.
The album opens with the swinging "1944 Stomp," which sets the tone for the rest of the record. Byas' saxophone playing is agile and expressive, and he's backed by a tight rhythm section that includes pianist Sammy Benskin, bassist Slam Stewart, and drummer Max Roach. The group's chemistry is evident throughout the album, as they effortlessly navigate complex arrangements and improvisational passages.
Other highlights include the bluesy "Harvard Blues," the uptempo "Don't Blame Me," and the mellow ballad "September Song." Byas' playing is consistently impressive, whether he's wailing on the up-tempo numbers or delivering tender solos on the slower tunes. His tone is rich and warm, and he has a knack for building tension and release within his improvisations.
Table of Contents
Download
Filename: don-byas-new-york-1945.zip- MP3 size: 90.3 mb
- FLAC size: 1264.2 mb
Tracks
| Track | Duration | Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard Blues | 3:00 | |
| Melody In Swing | 3:12 | |
| Slammin' Around | 2:39 | |
| Laura | 2:48 | |
| Slam, Don't Shake That | 03:00 | |
| Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) | 02:57 | |
| One O'Clock Jump | 2:43 | |
| Dark Eyes | 3:02 | |
| Melody in Swing | 03:12 | |
| Three O'Clock in the Morning | 02:58 | |
| One O'Clock Jump | 02:43 | |
| Slammin' Around | 02:39 | |
| Smoke Gets In Your Eyes | 2:46 | |
| Stardust | 3:00 | |
| Three O'Clock In The Morning | 2:58 | |
| Super Session | 2:59 | |
| Slamboree | 2:54 | |
| Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams | 2:57 | |
| Humoresque | 2:46 | |
| Slam, Don't Shake Like That | 3:00 | |
| Smoke Gets in Your Eyes | 02:46 |
Video
Three O'Clock In The Morning Don Byas
Don Byas - Stardust
Don Byas Quartet 1945 - Laura
Don Byas - Dark Eyes (mono 1945)
Images
Catalog Numbers
30 JA 5106, JA 5106Labels
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Formats
- Vinyl
- LP
- Compilation
- Reissue
Companies
| Role | Company |
|---|---|
| Pressed By | MPO |
| Printed By | Grimoffset |
Credits
| Role | Credit |
|---|---|
| Bass | Al Hall (tracks: B2, B3), Slam Stewart (tracks: A1 to B1, B4 to B7) |
| Drums | Hall "Doc" West (tracks: A1 to A4, B4 to B7), J.C. Heard (tracks: A5 to B1), Sidney Catlett (tracks: B2, B3) |
| Liner Notes | Frank Ténot |
| Piano | Erroll Garner (tracks: A1 to A4, B4 to B7), Johnny Guarnieri (tracks: A5 to B3) |
| Tenor Saxophone | Don Byas |
Notes
- All tracks recorded New York, August 30, 1945 (A1 to A4), September 6, 1945 (A5 to B1), September 12, 1945 (B2 & B3), November 1, 1945 (B4 to B7).
- This reissue, made and printed in France.
- Photo X : Licence Disques-Office - Original recording Super Disc - American Records.
- Released 1975 according to legal deposit at BNF.
Barcodes
- Matrix / Runout (side 1): MPO MU _ JA 5106 A DTV
- Matrix / Runout (side 2): MPO MU _ JA 5106 B DTV
- Rights Society: SACEM SGDL SACD SDRM
- Price Code (Printed on back cover): Ⓕ
- Price Code (On sticker over Ⓕ on some copies): MU 213 Ⓣ
- Other (Droits réservés, for tracks A4, A7, B2 to B4, B7): D.R.
- Other (Domaine Public, for track B1): D.P.
About Don Byas
American jazz tenor saxophonist
born Oct. 21, 1912, Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA
died Aug. 24, 1972, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Real Name
- Carlos Wesley Byas
Name Vars
- \
- Byas
- Carlos \
- Carlos Wesley 'Don' Byas
- D. Byas
- D.Byes
- Don \
- Don Bais
- Don Bays
- Don By As
- Don Byas And His Tenor Sax
- Don Byas Et Son Saxo Tenor
- Don Byas Et Son Saxo Ténor
- Don Byas Solo Saxo Tenor
- Don Carlos
- Tobias
- Wesley Carlos \
Summary by Alvaro Fernandez
Comments
2023-04-12
I never know that his tone is so good until today
2023-04-12
Don Byas / Erroll Garner / Slam Stewart / Sidney Catlett... difficult to imagine a better quartet
2023-04-12
I had this song on a 10 inch album on Atlantic I paid 10 dollars for it about 40 years Ago I played it over and over again great cover art it came out on a CD in the 90s thankfully hello to Susan and tz and all who like great ballad playing?
2023-04-11
un bon souvenir
2023-04-10
1 person has no soul
2023-04-09
Love this guy. He grew up in Oklahoma and was a buddy of Earl Bostic's. Sonny Stitt saw him cut down Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Chu Berry and Ben Webster in a jam session. What a saxophonist he was! Great post.
2023-04-09
Don Byas was very well known back in 1943-45, he made records with Count Basie.
2023-04-09
Don Byas so gentil and warm sound ....i love him !!!!!!!!
2023-04-09
nice clear lines .
2023-04-08
Damn Don.
2023-04-07
Great playing. This is definitely a solo he's put together and has been working on for a few years. There's a recording of this tune on a bootleg album from '41 (Charlie Christian Afterhours) where he plays a lot of the same material. This is easily my favorite version of Stardust.
2023-04-07
Outblows "Hawk" and" Ben" but "lost in shuffle" to America because of move to Europe. A shame. He Rocks!!
2023-04-07
Credo che il kansas sia stato proprio la stalla del jazz
2023-04-06
This was before Don tossed his ax in the west side river after being asked "what fo to you think about Yardbird? Lolol. He said that's no Yardbird that is Charlie from just around. Like Basie said in the flick "last of thd Blue Devils" Bird made good sax players bad! I mean really bad, not bad meaning good! Just fu*king bad, lousy, terrible! Lol Byas made a b-line to the west side river and pitched his ax into the drink! Now saxes were cheaper then but all things being relative Don was really depressed! What do you think about Yardbird Don???? Ha ha ha !!!!
d awful!
d awful!
2023-04-05
Merci , j'adore , souvent j'écoute Laura, c'est si bien interprètée que je 'ne me lasse de l'écouter en Replay.????????????????????????????????
2023-04-05
Este tema es precioso
2023-04-05
When you run out of Cognac just listen to this.
2023-04-04
Great
2023-04-04
<3
