Clarinetist/arranger
Phil Nimmons led one of the most important
jazz groups in Canada during 1953-1977, which by 1958 was known as
Nimmons 'n' Nine. This two-CD set contains previously unreleased material recorded as radio transcriptions and/or broadcasts during 1959-1964, with 16 of the 21 selections being from 1963-1964. The leader's arrangements and the sound of the ten-piece group in general are reminiscent of
Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band, with cool tones and restrained solos that are full of inner heat. The pianoless group is a bit unusual in that it includes
Vic Centro on accordion, who takes occasional solos and adds to the fullness of the ensembles.
Nimmons wrote all but three of the selections, contributed all of the arrangements, and took some solos. Best known among the sidemen are guitarist
Ed Bickert (who is fairly well featured) and tenor saxophonist
Rick Wilkins; the latter is on four numbers.
Bickert and
Wilkins would become members in the future of
Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass. Other key soloists include altoist
Jerry Toth, tenor saxophonist
Roy Smith, trombonist
Butch Watanabe, and trumpeter
Erich Traugott.
Nimmons' band sometimes sounds like an orchestra, while retaining the looseness of a combo. This two-fer is highly recommended, featuring some of
Phil Nimmons' very best work from the period. ~ Scott Yanow
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