Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com
A number of saxophonists in Count Basie's band didn't record much as leaders. The notable exceptions, of course, were tenor saxophonists Frank Wess, Frank Foster, Budd Johnson and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. On the other end of the spectrum, baritone saxophonist Charlie Fowlkes didn't record a single track under his own name. Alto saxophonist Marshal Royal recorded an album with strings in 1960, arranged by Gordon Jenkins, and recorded two for Concord—First Chair (1978) and Royal Blue (1980). And tenor saxophonist/flutist Eric Dixon recorded just one, Eric's Edge(1974). [Photo above, from left, of Bobby Plater and Marshal Royal in 1964 in the Count Basie Orchestra]
Royal and alto saxophonists Bobby Plater did record a few singles during their pre-Basie years. Theirs were rather interesting R&B leadership dates, which makes sense, since both musicians had plenty of jump blues experience in Lionel Hampton's band in the '40s.
In 1950, Plater recorded four sides in Memphis for Nashville's Bullet label backing a blues shouter known as "Mr. Swing"—a young Rufus Thomas. Here's Beer Bottle Boogie...
And here's Gonna Bring My Baby Back...
Royal was a Los Angeles native, and in 1951 he recorded September in the Rain with local R&B tenor saxophonist and arranger-producer Maxwell Davis. Here's the side for the Swing Time label. It's interesting to hear the mighty Davis in a jazz mode...
And here's Royal and Davis on Little White Lies, recorded in 1952...
Used with permission by Marc Myers
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