Tommy Newsom and His TV Jazz Stars (1990)

About this title: Tommy Newsom, best-known for his participation on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show (where he appeared as a straight man for Carson and Doc Severinsen's jokes) is also an excellent Zoot Sims-inspired tenor saxophonist. This CD, his long overdue debut as a leader, has two contrasting trumpeters in Snooky Young (who sings "It Don't Mean a Thing") and Conte Candoli and a strong rhythm section comprised of pianist Ross Tompkins, bassist David Stone and drummer Ed Shaughnessy. Switching to soprano on his multi-sectioned "Three Shades of Blues" and swinging on tenor in a Four Brothers vein elsewhere, ... read more

Tracks:

1. Cotton Tail [Ellington]
2. Dream Dancing [Porter]
3. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) [Ellington/Mills]
4. Three Shades of Blue
5. The Red Door [Mulligan/Sims]
6. Georgia on My Mind [Carmichael/Gorrell]
7. So Danço Samba [DeMoraes/Jobim]
8. Tickle Toe [Young]
9. Boy Meets Horn [Ellington/Stewart]
10. How Could You Do a Thing Like That to Me [Tyree/Roberts]
11. Con Alma [Gillespie]
12. Northwest Passage

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.