Broadcast on 31-Mar-2008

Bassist Curtis Counce was one of the first African-American musicians to be part of what was called in the 1950's "West Coast Jazz".....as part of the scene in Los Angeles, Counce worked with Shorty Rogers, Jimmy Giuffre and was for a couple of years a member of Stan Kenton's band. Counce died in 1963 at the young age of 37 of a heart attack but will be remembered for forming and recording with this band called "The Curtis Counce Group" The great Harold Land was featured on tenor saxophone, Jack Sheldon on trumpet with some of his best work, the legendary Carl Perkins, who also died young in 1958, on piano and the incredible Frank Butler on drums. They recorded during their time from late 1956 to April 1958, a whole series of albums for the Contemporary label. Their sound was not the cool "West Coast Jazz" style but "New York tough". One great band that made Jazz history.