Conte Candoli was a West Coast cat that played a mean trumpet. As a true trumpet fan I really enjoy his playing. He was a virtuosic player that perhaps is a bit underrated today.
This title is my first on the Mode label, which was based in California. There are several others that I’m looking for as well, all with front cover paintings by Eva Diana. For example titles by Richie Kamuca and Marty Paich.
This copy sounds absolutely fantastic, like new, which is amazing considering that it was released in 1957. It’s on a smaller label as well which sometimes means the quality can be hit or miss, especially from that era, but this one sounds unbelievable.
The band on this are Candoli on trumpet, Vince Guaraldi on piano, Monty Budwig on double bass and Stan Levey on drums. Lovely group. Very happy to finally have an album that features Guaraldi as well.
Three of the originals on this session was a collaboration between Conte and his brother Pete, also a trumpeter. Favorite pick on this album is probably the Al Cohn-penned “Something for Liza”.
Check this one out if you haven’t already. If you enjoy West Coast jazz from the 50’s then this should dazzle you. Highly recommended.
Now the search for some more Mode titles with these front cover portrait paintings continues.
Happy Friday!