CD review: Charlie Ventura – Adventure With Charlie 2021: Video, CD cover

Charlie Ventura, one of the most popular, fondly-remembered, and singular saxophone voices in this history of jazz, is the star of these two legendary recording sessions that have not been heard in more than five decades.

A 1953 broadcast from New York City’s Band Box nightclub features Charlie in the format that made him a star: As the centrepiece of the Gene Krupa Jazz Trio-on tenor, baritone, and bass sax-along with pianist Teddy Napoleon, and that ace drummer man himself. These Boris Rose tapes only appeared on a limited edition bootleg LP some 50 years ago.

And from 1957, the year that Ventura placed second only to Stan Getz in the Playboy magazine jazz poll, ‘Adventure with Charlie’ highlight’s the saxophonist’s modern jazz period, with Ventura ‘discovery’ Billy Bean on guitar and other young lions. ‘Adventure with Charlie,’ briefly released more than 60 years ago on the King label, was likely the last, pure jazz recording ever released under the name of Charlie Ventura.

The Gene Krupa Jazz Trio Live At The Bandbox

1. Fine’s Idea
2. The Man I Love
3. Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone
4. Idaho
5. Stardust
6. Dark Eyes
7. Yesterdays
8. Stompin’ at the Savoy

Adventure With Charlie: Charlie Ventura

1. This Can’t Be Love
2. Give Me the Simple Life
3. Laura
4. Pocahontas
5. Sweet Georgia Brown
6. Mad about the Boy
7. Blues in the Closet
8. In Oblivion
9. If I Had You
10. Take the A Train
11. I Can’t Give You Anything but Love
12. Liza (All the Clouds’ll Roll Away)

Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Vocals – Charlie Ventura (9 to 20)
Bass – Gus Nemeth (9 to 20)
Drums – Gene Krupa (1 to 8), Tony Di Nicola (9 to 20)
Guitar – Billy Bean (9 to 20)
Piano – John Coates, Jr (9 to 20), Teddy Napoleon (1 to 8)
Tenor Saxophone, Bass Saxophone – Charlie Ventura (1 to 8)

Tracks 1 to 8: Airshots recorded by Boris Rose on January 19, 23, 25 and 26, 1953 at the Bandbox, New York City
Tracks 9 to 20: Recorded march 30, 1957, Hackensack, New Jersey.