Freddy Gardner / Alvy West Sweet Sax [1962]

Decca Records DL 74317

Freddy Gardner:
Born in London in 1910, Freddy Gardner was one of England's most popular saxophonists during the 1930s and '40s. He developed his technique by working in bands led by Syd Lipton, Billy Bissett, and Bert Firman. A skilled clarinetist, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophonist, Gardner stayed busy as a sessionman throughout his all-too-brief career and may be heard on numerous recordings by the Four Stars, the Six Swingers, Jay Wilbur, Benny Carter, Teddy Foster, Valaida Snow, Ray Noble, Ike "Yowse Suh" Hatch, Mario "Harp" Lorenzi, and the internationally famous team of pianist Buck Washington and singing tap dancer John "Bubbles" Sublett.

A marvelous improviser comparable with Rudy Powell, Benny Carter, Alix Combelle, Russell Procope, Ken Mackintosh, or Willie Smith, Gardner performed regularly over the radio and from 1936 through 1939 recorded with his own small groups or his Swing Orchestra, a larger ensemble that included in its ranks trombonist and future bandleader Ted Heath. After serving in the Second World War he was featured as a soloist with Peter Yorke and His Concert Orchestra, and most certainly would have prospered as a name artist during the LP era had not fate intervened. Tragically felled by a stroke in 1950, Gardner passed away at the age of 39 on July 26, 1950. Originally released on the Interstate, Parlophone, and Rex labels, many of his recordings have now been pulled up out of the mothballs and reissued on compact disc.

Alvy West:
Alvy West was an alto saxophonist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He worked with Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Anita O’Day, Steve Allen, Mel Torme and Richard Rodgers and wrote tunes with Johnny Mercer and E.Y. Harburg.

Alvin Weisfeld was born in New York City and got gigs at Times Square jazz clubs by the time he was in his teens. He was enrolled at NYU by age 15 but was far more interested in music than in the legal studies his parents hoped he’d pursue.

West toured with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra in the early years of his career. Later he worked as musical director for Andy Williams on television and in recordings. He also led his own combo, Alvy West and the Little Band, which toured military bases in the 1940s before eventually selling out the Hollywood Bowl.

West worked as a composer and arranger for NBC in New York and also worked in radio. He was the musical director of NBC programs “The Bob and Ray Show,” “The Lucky Strike Show” and “Country Time.” In the 1960s West contributed to film soundtracks and penned commercial jingles. In 1985, when he was 70, he had a bit part in the film “Desperately Seeking Susan” as a saxophonist.

Alvy West died on Nov. 30, 2012, in Warminster, Pennsylvania. He was 97.

Tracklist:
Side 1: Freddy Gardner with Malcolm Lockyer at the organ
01 Mighty Lak' A Rose
02 Trees
03 Songs My Mother Taught Me
04 None But The Lonely Heart
05 Love's Old Sweet Song
06 The Song of Songs

Side 2: Alvy West with instrumental accompaniment
07 Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life
08 Moonlight and Roses (Bring Mem'ries of You)
09 Will You Remember (Sweetheart)
10 Because
11 Oh, Promise Me
12 Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms