THE CONCORD JAZZ ALL-STARS (Part One) at ANTIBES: MARSHAL ROYAL, SNOOKY YOUNG, ROSS TOMPKINS, HERB ELLIS, MICHAEL MOORE, JEFF HAMILTON, SCOTT HAMILTON, WARREN VACHE, RAY BROWN, JAKE HANNA (July 17, 1979)

The Concord Jazz record label released its first issue in 1973 at a time when new jazz record labels were blossoming (I think of Norman Granz’s Pablo and Hank O’Neal’s Chiaroscuro, among others). Concord had a particular sound and cross-generational approach: elders like Flip Phillips, Woody Herman, Nat Pierce, Harry Edison, Jimmie Rowles, Rosemary Clooney, Al Cohn, Buddy Tate, alongside newcomers Scott Hamilton and Warren Vache.

The “Concord Jazz All-Stars” also performed in concert, and we are fortunate that some of that material was preserved in video as well as audio form. Here’s the first quarter of an evening performance from July 17 at “Le Festival International du Jazz a Antibes Juan-Les-Pins 1979.”

Marshal Royal, alto saxophone; Snooky Young, trumpet; Ross Tompkins, piano; Michael Moore, string bass; Herb Ellis, guitar; Jeff Hamilton, drums.

MOTEN SWING / STARDUST (Marshal) / I WANT A LITTLE GIRL (Snooky) //

Add Scott Hamilton, tenor saxophone; Warren Vache, cornet. C JAM BLUES //

LOVE YOU MADLY Tompkins, Ray Brown, string bass; Jake Hanna, drums //

“Concord” means harmony, and that is true of this music. And there’s a Part Two to come.

Thanks to Scott Hamilton, yes, the Scott Hamilton, for his kind encouragement.

May your happiness increase!