Belgian guitarist Rene Thomas: "Guitar Groove"

Tonight's Jazz Feature is the only American recording, under his name, of Belgian born guitar master Rene Thomas. Rene emigrated to the US in 1958 and then returned to Europe in 1962. He sadly passed away at age 47 from a heart attack after a concert in Spain. Rene's reputation preceded him when he arrived in the US and he was able to sit in and play with Miles Davis, Zoot Sims and many others. He worked briefly with Sonny Rollins and appeared on Sonny's album called "Sonny Rollins and The Big Brass". On tonight's "Guitar Groove" album Rene chose his sidemen wisely as he had worked with them in both Montreal and New York. On tenor saxophone, one of the most distinctive was J.R. Monterose and on piano the underrated Hod O'Brien. Bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath make up the solid rhythm section. The tunes are very well paced with 3 originals by J.R.Monterose. A beautiful Thelonious Monk ballad, "Ruby, My Dear", The complex Miles Davis/John Lewis tune "Milestones" (known as the "first" Milestones) and two standard tunes that feature Rene plus rhythm without J.R. "Guitar Groove" is one very fine album and leaves one wanting more. Rene Thomas and co., tonight's Jazz Feature.