Palo Alto Records
Encyclopedia
Palo Alto Records was a jazz
record label
that released most of its discography in the 1980s. The label was founded in 1981 by Jim Benham, who was a Palo Alto, California
resident. The artistic director was Herb Wong. In 1985 the company ceased its activities. Most of its titles are out-of-print since Palo Alto has long been defunct.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
that released most of its discography in the 1980s. The label was founded in 1981 by Jim Benham, who was a Palo Alto, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
resident. The artistic director was Herb Wong. In 1985 the company ceased its activities. Most of its titles are out-of-print since Palo Alto has long been defunct.
Discography
- 8001: Full Faith & Credit Big Band - Debut (1980)
- 8002: Paul Robertson - Song Is You, The (1980)
- 8003: Full Faith & Credit Big Band - Jazz Faire (1981)
- 8004: Barone Brothers - Blues And Other Happy Moments (1979)
- 8005: Tee Carson - Basically Count (1981)
- 8007: Lanny MorganLanny MorganLanny Morgan is an American jazz alto saxophonist chiefly active on the West Coast jazz scene.Morgan was raised in Los Angeles. In the 1950s he played with Charlie Barnet, Si Zentner, Terry Gibbs, and Bob Florence, then did a stint in the U.S. military, for which reason he had to turn down an...
- It's About Time (1981) - 8008: Les Demerle- On Fire (1981)
- 8009: Pepper AdamsPepper AdamsPark Frederick "Pepper" Adams III was a jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 43 pieces, was the leader on twenty albums, and participated in 600 sessions as a sideman.-Biography:...
- Urban Dreams (1981) - 8010: Don MenzaDon MenzaDon Menza is an American saxophonist, arranger, composer, session musician, and jazz educator noted for his many contributions to American jazz and big band music. -Early years:...
- Hip Pocket (1981) - 8011: Buddy DeFrancoBuddy DeFrancoBoniface Ferdinand Leonard "Buddy" DeFranco is an American jazz clarinet player.-Biography:DeFranco began his professional career just as swing music and big bands — many of which were led by clarinetists like Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and Woody Herman — were fading in popularity...
& Terry GibbsTerry GibbsTerry Gibbs is an American jazz vibraphonist and band leader.He has performed and/or recorded with Tommy Dorsey, Chubby Jackson, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Louie Bellson, Charlie Shavers, Mel Tormé, Buddy DeFranco, and others...
- Jazz Party/First Time Together (1981) - 8012: Larry Vuckovich - City Sounds, Village Voices (1981)
- 8013: Paul Robertson - Old Friends, New Friends (1982)
- 8014: Mal WaldronMal WaldronMalcolm Earl Waldron was an American jazz and world music pianist and composer, born in New York City.Like his contemporaries, Waldron's roots lie chiefly in the hard bop and post-bop genres of the New York club scene of the 1950s; but with time, he gravitated more towards free jazz and composition...
- One Entrance, Many ExitsOne Entrance, Many ExitsOne Entrance, Many Exits is an album by American jazz pianist Mal Waldron recorded in 1982 and released by the Palo Alto label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars stating "the combination of musicians works quite well...
(1982) - 8016: Elvin JonesElvin JonesElvin Ray Jones was a jazz drummer of the post-bop era. He showed interest in drums at a young age, watching the circus bands march by his family's home in Pontiac, Michigan....
- Earth Jones (1982) - 8017: Tom HarrellTom HarrellTom Harrell is a renowned American post-bop jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer and arranger.-Biography:Tom Harrell was born in Urbana, Illinois but moved to the San Francisco Bay Area at the age of five. He started playing trumpet at eight and within five years, started playing gigs with...
- Play Of Light (1984) - 8019: Meredith D'AmbrosioMeredith D'AmbrosioMeredith D'Ambrosio is an American jazz singer born in Boston, Massachusetts.D'Ambrosio was born into a musical family and studied piano and voice from age six. She studied at the Boston Museum School in 1958-59, pursuing a career in painting as well as music...
- Little Jazz Bird (1982) - 8020: Mike Campbell - Secret Fantasy (1982)
- 8021: Jimmy ForrestJimmy ForrestJimmy Forrest was an African American jazz musician, who played tenor saxophone throughout his career....
- Heart Of The Forrest (1978) - 8022: Marvin StammMarvin StammMarvin Stamm is an American bebop trumpeter.Stamm began on trumpet at age 12. He first attended college at, then known as, Memphis State University and then attended college at North Texas State University where he was a member of the world renowned One O'Clock Lab Band...
- Stammpede (1983) - 8023: Richie ColeRichie Cole (musician)Richie Cole is a jazz alto saxophonist composer and arranger born in Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. and is a graduate of Ewing High School, Ewing New Jersey....
- Return To Alto Acres (1982) - 8024: Free FlightFree Flight (band)Free Flight was an American jazz ensemble, led by Jim Walker.Other members include Peter Erskine, Milcho Leviev, Ralph Humphrey, Brian Pezzone, Jimmy Lacefield, and Mike Garson, who played on Beyond the Clouds....
- Jazz/Classic Union, The (1982) - 8025: Scott Scheer - Rappin' It Up (1982)
- 8026: Dianne ReevesDianne ReevesDianne Reeves is an American jazz singer. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado.-Early life:Reeves was born in Detroit, Michigan to a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke, is a...
- Welcome To My Love (1982) - 8027: David Lahm - Real Jazz For The Folks Who Feel Jazz (1982)
- 8028: Jimmy RowlesJimmy RowlesJimmy Rowles was an American jazz pianist who was best known as an accompanist. He also released a number of albums under his own name, and explored various idioms including swing and cool jazz. - Biography :Born in Spokane, Washington, Rowles studied at Gonzaga College in Spokane, Washington...
, McCoy TynerMcCoy TynerMcCoy Tyner is a jazz pianist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet and a long solo career.-Early life:...
, Herbie HancockHerbie HancockHerbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
, John LewisJohn Lewis (pianist)John Aaron Lewis was an American jazz pianist and composer best known as the musical director of the Modern Jazz Quartet.- Early life:...
, Dave McKennaDave McKennaDave McKenna was a jazz pianist. He was known for his "three-handed swing" and was a leading proponent of solo piano style.-Biography:...
- Bill EvansBill EvansWilliam John Evans, known as Bill Evans was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists including: Chick Corea, Herbie...
: A Tribute (1982) - 8029: Continuum - Mad About Tadd (1982) Tadd DameronTadd DameronTadley Ewing Peake "Tadd" Dameron was an American jazz composer, arranger and pianist. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon called Dameron the "romanticist" of the bop movement, while reviewer Scott Yanow writes that Dameron was the "definitive arranger/composer of the bop era".-Biography:Born in Cleveland,...
tribute featuring Slide HamptonSlide HamptonLocksley Wellington "Slide" Hampton is an American jazz trombonist, composer and arranger.He was a 1998 Grammy Award winner for "Best Jazz Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist", as arranger for "Cotton Tail" performed by Dee Dee Bridgewater...
, Jimmy HeathJimmy HeathJames Edward Heath , nicknamed Little Bird, is an American jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger. He is the brother of bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert Heath.-Biography:...
, Kenny BarronKenny BarronKenny Barron , is an American jazz pianist. He is the younger brother of tenor saxophonist Bill Barron, and known for his lyrical, adaptive style.-Biography:...
, Ron CarterRon CarterRon Carter is an American jazz double-bassist. His appearances on over 2,500 albums make him one of the most-recorded bassists in jazz history, along with Milt Hinton, Ray Brown and Leroy Vinnegar. Carter is also an acclaimed cellist who has recorded numerous times on that...
, Art TaylorArt TaylorArthur S. Taylor, Jr. was an American jazz drummer of the hard bop school.After playing in the bands of Howard McGhee, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy DeFranco, Bud Powell, and George Wallington from 1948 to 1957, he formed his own group, the Wailers... - 8030: Mary Watkins - Winds Of Change (1981)
- 8031: John AbercrombieJohn Abercrombie (guitarist)John Abercrombie is an American jazz guitarist, whose work often explores jazz fusion and post bop. Abercrombie has played with Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker...
- Solar (1982, 1983) - 8032: Various Artists - Mistletoe Magic (1981, 1982, 1983)
- 8033: Arnie LawrenceArnie LawrenceArnold Lawrence Finkelstein, better known as Arnie Lawrence was an American jazz saxophonist....
- Renewal (1981) - 8034: Linda HopkinsLinda HopkinsLinda Hopkins is an African American actress and blues and gospel singer. She has recorded classic, traditional, and urban blues, and performed R&B and soul, jazz, and show tunes, all with distinction and style since the 1950s....
- How Blue Can You Get (1982) - 8035: George HowardGeorge Howard (jazz)George Howard was a Jazz-Funk/ Fusion /Smooth Jazz soprano saxophonist.-Biography:Howard was born September 15, 1956 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the late 1970s, he began touring with Grover Washington, Jr., who was one of his idols...
- Asphalt Gardens (1982) - 8036: Richie Cole - Alto Annie's Theme (1982?)
- 8037: David Diggs - Realworld (1983)
- 8038: Sheila JordanSheila JordanSheila Jordan is an American jazz singer and songwriter. Jordan has recorded as a session musician with an array of critically acclaimed artists in addition to a notable solo career....
& Harvie SwartzHarvie SwartzHarvie S is an American jazz double-bassist.S learned piano as a child and did not begin playing bass until 1967, when he was nineteen years old. He attended Berklee College of Music and played in and around Boston with Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Mose Allison, and Chris Connor...
- Old Time Feeling (1982) - 8039: Elvin JonesElvin JonesElvin Ray Jones was a jazz drummer of the post-bop era. He showed interest in drums at a young age, watching the circus bands march by his family's home in Pontiac, Michigan....
- Brother JohnBrother John (Elvin Jones album)Brother John is an album from jazz drummer Elvin Jones, recorded in October 1982 and released on Palo Alto Records in 1984.- Tracklisting :All songs written by Pat LaBarbera, except where notedSide one# "Necessary Evil" – 4:08...
(1982) with Pat LaBarberaPat LaBarberaPat LaBarbera is an American-born Canadian jazz tenor, alto and soprano saxophonist, clarinetist, and flautist born in Mt. Morris, New York, most notable for his work as a soloist in Buddy Rich bands from 1967–1973....
, Kenny KirklandKenny KirklandKenneth David “Kenny” Kirkland was an American pianist/keyboardist. He is most often associated with Sting, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Kenny Garrett....
, Reggie WorkmanReggie WorkmanReginald "Reggie" Workman is an American avant-garde jazz and hard bop double bassist, recognized for his work with both John Coltrane and Art Blakey.... - 8041: Richie Cole - Yakety Madness (1982)
- 8042: Larry Vuckovich - Cast Your Fate
- 8043: David FriesenDavid FriesenDavid Friesen is an American jazz bassist born in Tacoma, Washington. Friesen plays the double bass as well as the Oregon bass, which is an electrified acoustic bass....
- Amber Skies (1983) - 8044: Denny ZeitlinDenny ZeitlinDenny Zeitlin is an American jazz pianist and composer, and a clinical professor of psychiatry at University of California, San Francisco...
- Tidal Wave (1981, 1983) - 8046: Teo MaceroTeo MaceroTeo Macero , born Attilio Joseph Macero, was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and record producer...
- Impressions Of Charles Mingus (1983) - 8047: Various Artists - More Mistletoe Magic (1985)
- 8048: Doug Sertl - Uptown Express (1982)
- 8049: Dusan Bogdanovic - Early To Rise (1983)
- 8050: Free Flight - Soaring (1983)
- 8052: Maynard Ferguson - Storm (1982)
- 8053: Victor Feldman - Secret Of The Andes (1982)
- 8054: Victor Feldman - Soft Shoulder
- 8055: Lalo SchifrinLalo SchifrinLalo Schifrin is an Argentine composer, pianist and conductor. He is best known for his film and TV scores, such as the "Theme from Mission: Impossible". He has received four Grammy Awards and six Oscar nominations...
- Ins And Outs (1982) - 8056: Victor FeldmanVictor FeldmanVictor Stanley Feldman was a British jazz musician, best known as a pianist.-Early history:...
- To Chopin With Love (1983) - 8057: C'est What?! - Eight Stories (1983)
- 8061: QuestQuest (band)Quest are an American jazz band, which includes saxophonist Dave Liebman, pianist Richie Beirach, drummer Billy Hart, and, at various times, bassists George Mraz and Ron McClure.-Discography:* 1981: Quest* 1987: Quest 2...
- Quest (1981) - 8070: Richie Cole - Bossa Nova Eyes
- 8074: Rob McConnellRob McConnellRobert Murray Gordon "Rob" McConnell, was a Canadian jazz valve trombonist, composer, arranger, music educator, and recording artist.-Biography:...
- All In Good Time (1982) - 8075: Free Flight - Beyond The Clouds (1984)
- 8076: Northwind - Circles In The Fire (1984)
- 8077: Maynard FergusonMaynard FergusonMaynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
- Live From San Francisco (1983) - 8078: Bobbe Norris - Hoisted Sails (1983)
- 8080: Various Artists - Jazz Monterey (1958-1980)
- 8081: Sammy NesticoSammy NesticoSamuel "Sammy" Louis Nestico is a prolific and well known composer and arranger of big band music...
- Dark Orchid (1982) - 8083: McCoy TynerMcCoy TynerMcCoy Tyner is a jazz pianist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet and a long solo career.-Early life:...
- Just Feelin'Just Feelin'Just Feelin' is a 1985 album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner originally released on the Palo Alto label. It features performances by Tyner with his trio featuring Avery Sharpe and Louis Hayes along with percussionist Babatunde...
(1985) - 8084: Phil WoodsPhil WoodsPhilip Wells Woods is an American jazz bebop alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader and composer.-Biography:...
- Live From New York (1982) - 8086: Rare SilkRare SilkRare Silk was an American jazz vocal group. Consisting of the band members Gaile Gillaspie, Marylynn Gillaspie, Todd Buffa and Marguerite Juenemann , they started out as a swing-oriented group in the vein of The Pied Pipers and The Andrews Sisters...
- American Eyes (1985)