The John Handy Quintet • The 2nd John Handy Album (2024)

Altoist John Handy's second Columbia album was actually his fourth as a leader. Utilizing the same musicians who had joined him during his sensational set at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival (violinist Michael White, guitarist Jerry Hahn, bassist Don Thompson and drummer Terry Clarke), Handy performs five of his complex yet accessible originals, which include the "Theme X" (in 5/4 time), the catchy "Blues for a Highstrung Guitar," and the adventurous "Scheme #1." The CD reissue adds three previously unissued alternate takes to the earlier program. This would be the unit's only studio album, and after disbanding, they did not reunite until 1994. The memorable music is highly recommended.

https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-2nd-john-handy-album-mw0000605710

Biography

A talented and adventurous altoist whose career has gone through several phases, John Handy started playing alto in 1949. After moving to New York in 1958, he had a fiery period with Charles Mingus (1958-1959) that resulted in several passionate recordings that show off his originality; he also recorded several dates as a leader for Roulette. Handy led his own bands during 1959-1964, and played with Mingus at the 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival, but it was at the following year's festival that he was a major hit, stretching out with his quintet (which included violinist Michael White and guitarist Jerry Hahn) on two long originals. Soon, Handy was signed to Columbia, where he recorded his finest work (three excellent albums) during 1966-1968. Since that time, he has performed world music with Ali Akbar Khan, recorded the R&B hit "Hard Work" for Impulse in 1976, gigged and recorded with Mingus Dynasty, and in the late '80s led a group (called Class) featuring three female violinists who sing. John Handy (no relation to the Dixieland altoist Capt. John Handy) remains a strong soloist who can hit high notes way above his horn's normal register with ease, but he has mostly maintained a low profile, teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area.

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-handy-mn0000221660/biography

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El segundo álbum del altoista John Handy en Columbia fue en realidad su cuarto como líder. Utilizando los mismos músicos que se le unieron durante su sensacional set en el Festival de Jazz de Monterrey de 1965 (violinista Michael White, guitarrista Jerry Hahn, bajista Don Thompson y baterista Terry Clarke), Handy interpreta cinco de sus complejos pero accesibles originales, que incluyen el "Tema X" (en tiempo 5/4), el pegajoso "Blues para una guitarra de cuerdas altas", y el aventurero "Esquema #1". La reedición del CD añade tres tomas alternativas no publicadas previamente al programa anterior. Este sería el único álbum de estudio de la unidad, y después de la disolución, no se reunieron hasta 1994. La música memorable es muy recomendable.

https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-2nd-john-handy-album-mw0000605710

Biografía

Un talentoso y aventurero contralto cuya carrera ha pasado por varias fases, John Handy comenzó a tocar el contralto en 1949. Después de mudarse a Nueva York en 1958, tuvo un período de fervor con Charles Mingus (1958-1959) que dio lugar a varias grabaciones apasionadas que muestran su originalidad; también grabó varias fechas como líder de la Ruleta. Handy dirigió sus propias bandas durante 1959-1964, y tocó con Mingus en el Festival de Jazz de Monterrey en 1964, pero fue en el festival del año siguiente cuando tuvo un gran éxito, extendiéndose con su quinteto (que incluía al violinista Michael White y al guitarrista Jerry Hahn) en dos largos originales. Pronto, Handy firmó con Columbia, donde grabó su mejor trabajo (tres excelentes álbumes) durante 1966-1968. Desde entonces, ha interpretado música del mundo con Ali Akbar Khan, grabó el éxito de R&B "Hard Work" para Impulse en 1976, actuó y grabó con la Dinastía Mingus, y a finales de los 80 dirigió un grupo (llamado Class) con tres violinistas femeninas que cantan. John Handy (sin relación con el altoísta de Dixieland, el capitán John Handy) sigue siendo un solista fuerte que puede tocar notas altas muy por encima del registro normal de su trompa con facilidad, pero sobre todo ha mantenido un perfil bajo, enseñando en el área de la bahía de San Francisco.

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-handy-mn0000221660/biography

Tracklist:
A1 - Dancy Dancy - 5:37
A2 - Theme X - 7:25
A3 - Blues For Highstrung Guitar - 5:59
B1 - Dance For Carlo B - 4:28
B2 - Scheme #1 - 13:46

Credits:
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – John Handy
Bass – Don Thompson
Drums, Glockenspiel – Terry Clarke
Guitar – Jerry Hahn
Liner Notes – Ralph J. Gleason
Producer – John Hammond
Violin – Mike White
Written-By – J. Handy

Notes:
Recorded July, 1966.

Label: Columbia ‎– CS 9367
Released: 1966
Genre: Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Post Bop

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