Eddie Duran
JAZZ
GUITARIST: MODERN MUSIC FROM SAN FRANCISCO
Personnel:
Eddie Duran (g), Howard Dudune (cl, ts), Vince Guaraldi (p),
Dean Reilly, Ron Crotty (b), John Markham (d), Ree Brunell (vcl)
Born in San Francisco in 1925, Eddie Duran is an unfairly
neglected jazz guitarist and a soloist full of imagination and heart who was
already playing professionally at 15. To this day he considers himself an “ear
player,” despite having played and recorded with Vince Guaraldi, Red Norvo, Cal
Tjader, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, George Shearing, Earl “Fatha” Hines and
Benny Goodman, in the heyday of the San Francisco bebop scene.
Duran was 32 when he recorded Jazz Guitarist, his first
album as a leader in 1957. His sound and approach were deeply rooted in the
bebop tradition, with echoes of Tal Farlow. With Duran on this debut was Howard
Dudune—a cleantoned young clarinetist and Getz-derived tenor saxophonist—with
support from bassist Dean Reilly and drummer John Markham.
Completing this salute to a fine guitarist is a 1956 date
where he and Reilly backed singer Ree Brunell on a relaxed stroll through four
well-chosen standards, along with a 1955 trio session with Ron Crotty and Vince
Guaraldi. Crotty was a part of Dave Brubeck’s early groups, while Guaraldi was
one of the brightest young pianists of the local scene, and the trio produced
some relaxed and swinging jazz.
San Francisco emerged in early 50s as one of the most
important centres of jazz activity in the US and the musicians playing in these
three sessions are a fine example of what the city had to offer.
Tracklisting:
01. My Inspiration (Haggart-Lamare) 3:27
02. Soon (G. & I. Gershwin) 4:10
03. Rise ‘n Shine (Youmans-DeSylva) 3:39
04. My Shining Hour (Arlen-Mercer) 2:53
05. Taking Life Easy (Eddie Duran) 4:36
06. Why Not? (Neal Hefti) 3:33
07. A Room with a View (Noel Coward) 5:00
08. Skyliner (Charlie Barnet) 3:48
09. It Could Happen to You (Van Heusen-Burke) 2:52
10. Sugar (Pinkard-Mitchell-Alexander) 3:54
11. I’m Glad There Is You (Dorsey-Madeira) 2:50
12. You Turned the Tables On Me (Alter-Mitchell) 2:10
13. When I Fall in Love (Young-Heyman) 3:03
14. Falling in Love with Love (Rodgers-Hart) 2:00
15. Ginza (Vince Guaraldi) 4:07
16. The Night We Called It a Day (Dennis-Adair) 3:48
17. The Masquerade Is Over (Magidson-Wrubel) 6:32
Sources:
Tracks #1-10,
from the Eddie Duran LP “Jazz Guitarist” (Fantasy LP 3247)
Tracks # 11-14,
from the LP “Intro to Jazz” (San Francisco Jazz Records JR-1)
Tracks #15-17,
from the LP “Modern Music from San Francisco” (Fantasy LP 3213)
Personnel on
"Jazz Guitarist":
Eddie Duran Quartet
Howard Dudune, clarinet & tenor sax; Eddie Duran,
guitar; Dean Reilly, bass; John Markham, drums.
Recorded in San
Francisco, 1955
Personnel on
"Intro to Jazz":
Ree Brunell Trio
Ree Brunell, vocals; Eddie Duran, guitar; Dean Reilly, bass.
Recorded in San
Francisco, 1956
Personnel on
"Modern Music from San Francisco":
Ron Crotty Trio
Vince Guaraldi, piano & celeste; Eddie Duran, guitar;
Ron Crotty, bass.
Recorded in San Francisco,
1957
Liner notes:
Ralph J. Gleason & Jordi Pujol
Original recordings produced by Max Weiss (#1-10) and Pat
Henry (#11-14)
Compiled for CD
release by Jordi Pujol
Hi Fi / Mono · 24-Bit
Digitally Remastered