Personnel:

Clora Bryant (tp, vcl), Don Fagerquist, Norman Faye (tp), Herbie Harper (tb), Herb Geller (as), Bill Perkins, Walter Benton (ts), Pepper Adams (bs), Claude Williamson, Roger Fleming (p), Curtis Counce, Ben Tucker (b), Mel Lewis, Bruz Freeman (d)

 

Trumpeter Clora Bryant (1927-2019) made an indelible mark on the vibrant Los Angeles jazz scene. A member of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm and other all-female swing bands in the 1940s, she later immersed herself in the world of bebop on Central Avenue during the late 1940s. This iconic thoroughfare, the heart of black Los Angeles, played a pivotal role in the evolution of West Coast black music.

 

On her musical journey, Clora frequented venues like the Downbeat, where she had the opportunity to listen to luminaries such as Teddy Edwards and Howard McGhee. Reflecting on her early days, she fondly reminisced in 2011, ‘When I began my journey on Central Avenue, there were no women participating in jam sessions. I held a unique place; you can’t even imagine! I’d take my trumpet, walk up, and start playing. I was the only woman doing it.’

 

Determined to secure more gigs, Clora expanded her stage presence by incorporating singing into her performances. Despite facing indignities due to her race and choice of instrument, her unwavering passion and love for jazz propelled her to overcome the difficulties and barriers in her path.

 

Her life was marked by a steadfast dedication to jazz, and her legacy resonates in the world of music. Recognized as one of L.A.’s outstanding trumpeters, or as she preferred, a ‘trumpetiste,’ Clora Bryant’s impact on jazz endures.

 

—Jordi Pujol

 

TRACKLIST:

01. Rifftide (Coleman Hawkins) 17:12

02. Gipsy in My Soul (Boland-Jaffe) 2:49

03. Makin' Whoopee (Donadson-Kahn) 3:35

04. Man with the Horn (Lake-Jenny-DeLange) 3:58

05. Sweet Georgia Brown (Bernie-Pinkard-Casey) 4:37

06. Tea for Two (Youmans-Caesar) 3:47

07. This Can't Be Love (Rodgers-Hart) 4:37

08. Little Girl Blue (Rodgers-Hart) 3:10

09. S'posin' (Denniker-Razaf) 2:08

10. Angel Eyes (Dennis-Brent) 3:09

11. Blueberry Hill (Rose-Stock-Lewis) 2:16

 

Sources:

Track # 1, from the album “Jazz City Presents...” (Bethlehem BCP-80)

Tracks # 2-9, from the album “Gal with a Horn” (Mode LP-106)

Tracks # 10 & 11, from the album “The Billy Williams Revue” (Coral CRL 757343)

 

Personnel on #1:

Don Fagerquist (1st solo), Clora Bryant (2nd solo), trumpets; Herbie Harper, trombone; Herb Geller, alto sax; Bill Perkins, tenor sax; Pepper Adams, baritone sax; Claude Williamson, piano; Curtis Counce, bass; Mel Lewis, drums.

Recorded live at Jazz City, Los Angeles March 21, 1957

 

Personnel on #2-9:

Clora Bryant, trumpet & vocals; Norman Faye, trumpet; Walter Benton, tenor sax; Roger Fleming, piano; Ben Tucker, bass; Bruz Freeman, drums.

Recorded in Los Angeles, June 1957

 

Personnel on #10 & 11:

Clora Bryant, trumpet & vocals (#11), with Orchestra directed by Dick Jacobs.

Recorded in Los Angeles, June 27, 1960

 

Cover photo: Dave Pell © Fresh Sound Archives

Liner notes by Jordi Pujol

 

Original recordings produced by Red Clyde, and Dick Jacobs (#10 & 11)

This compilation produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol