Mel Powell - Orchestra and Septet

These recordings from a septet through a full band feature the arrangements and some compositions by the great Mel Powell.  After he left jazz in the late 1950's he became well known as a serious composer and educator, but his arrangements for jazz groups demonstrate his earlier abilities as applied to more commercial ensembles.  The 1946 orchestra features Bernie Privin, Johnny Carisi, Lou McGarity, Cutty Cutshall, Bill Shine, Cliff Strickland and even Mitch Miller on oboe!  The septet from 1955 has Al Mattoliano on trumpet, Peanuts Hucko on clarinet, Nick Caiazza on tenor sax, Tommy Kay on guitar, Arnold Fishkin on bass and Bobby Donaldson on drums.  The quintet and sextet from 1947 has either Jake Porter or Frank Beach on trumpet, Bumps Myers on tenor, Red Callendar on bass and Lee Young.  All with the immaculate piano of Mel Powell!