Pell, Dave
This man responsible for this remarkable series of arrangements was himself a remarkable man.
Dave Pell grew up in Brooklyn playing clarinet and saxophone. He joined the Bobby Sherwood, Tony Pastor and Bob Crosby bands while still a teenager. Because he could play in many different styles of jazz and dance music, he became an active freelancer upon moving to Los Angeles. A call from Les Brown to fill in for a missing saxophonist resulted in Pell becoming the chief tenor saxophone soloist for the Les Brown band from 1947-1955. Pell also doubled on bass clarinet, one of the few jazz improvisers who could solo on this instrument at that time.
While still with Les Brown, Pell formed an octet with musicians from the band and made several albums. His initial idea was to build albums around the lesser-known songs by such writers as Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, and Burke and Van Heusen. The concept focused on commissioning hip arrangements and one-chorus solos by the all-star ensemble. The octet blazed important trails in two different directions: its output was jazz yet had a commercial approach, and it was a very early instance where a small jazz ensemble concentrated primarily on what became the 'great American songbook.' From the start, the octet was a major success; its albums sold very well, and the ensemble not only worked proms across the country, but played top jazz clubs. Wisely, Pell made these arrangements available for sale, one of the first leaders to market his ensemble's arrangements in their original form. They sold in good numbers as well.
When Pell left Les Brown, he was already a first-call musician for record dates of all types and film soundtracks. He was working nights either with the octet or jamming at jazz clubs. He brought his Rolleiflex along and took pictures from the bandstand. He was often called to make photos for album covers; one of his most famous was of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet for an early album on Pacific Jazz. He became a record producer, eventually running Liberty Records. He ran Motown Records when that label moved from Detroit to Los Angeles. He later became a music supervisor for motion pictures.
In 1978, due to the success of Supersax, Pell organized Prez Conference, where the solos of Lester Young were arranged for three tenor saxophones and a baritone saxophone (with rhythm section). Harry 'Sweets' Edison was added on trumpet. The group made two albums for GNP Records, the second featuring singer Joe Williams. The group made worldwide tours at festivals and clubs.
Dave Pell passed away in 2017.
DAVE PELL OCTET JAZZ LINES PUBLICATIONS SERIES: ELEVEN ARRANGEMENT SET
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
11 Jazz Octet Arrangements (4 Horns with Rhythm Section)
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-1020
$390.00
DAVE PELL OCTET JAZZ LINES PUBLICATIONS SERIES: ELEVEN ARRANGEMENT SET [DOWNLOAD]
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
11 Jazz Octet Arrangements (4 Horns with Rhythm Section)
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-1020DL
$390.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement (4 Horns with Rhythm Section)
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8530
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement (4 Horns with Rhythm Section)
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8530DL
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8533
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8533DL
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8536
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8536DL
$40.00
BLUES MY NAUGHTY SWEETIE GIVES TO ME
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8537
$40.00
BLUES MY NAUGHTY SWEETIE GIVES TO ME [DOWNLOAD]
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8537DL
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8539
$55.00
CAMPTOWN MARCH AND BLUES [DOWNLOAD]
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8539DL
$55.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8547
$40.00
Our Price: $38.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8547DL
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8548
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8548DL
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement [4 Horns with Rhythm Section]
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8552
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement [4 Horns with Rhythm Section]
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8552DL
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8556
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8556DL
$40.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement (4 Horns with Rhythm Section)
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8561
$45.00
Recorded by the Dave Pell Octet
Jazz Octet Arrangement (4 Horns with Rhythm Section)
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8561DL
$45.00
Recorded by Dave Pell's Prez Conference
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8503
$45.00
Recorded by Dave Pell's Prez Conference
Jazz Octet Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-8503DL
$45.00