On Monday, I opened my post on arrangers Bill Russo and Marty Paich by mentioning the late Duncan Lamont, a lyrical Scottish saxophonist. What I held back is that Lamont was an exceptional songwriter. A prolific composer who wrote a song a day into his 80s, Lamont crafted catchy, sophisticated songs that were recorded by Blossom Dearie, Cleo Laine and other jazz singers. [Photo above of Duncan Lamont courtesy of Duncan Lamont]
Over the years, sophisticated singers in the know kept his music alive, especially the songs that set snappy or lush moods. And there was so much to choose from. It was almost as if Lamont, the musician, could barely contain his talent for spinning original, romantic melodies on his horn so they spilled over onto music paper and a yellow pad for lyrics. [Photo above of Duncan Lamont courtesy of Duncan Lamont]
Among those who recorded tribute albums are two exceptional singers—Nancy Marano and Frank Holder. Both released loving albums devoted to Lamont's compositions. In the case of Holder, Lamont was one of the musicians on the date.
First, Nancy Marano's tribute, Tomorrow's Standards: Nancy Marano Sings Duncan Lamont (Fly). It was recorded in New York in 1994 and 1995 and released in '95. Nancy's voice curls around Lamont's lyrics so naturally and she swings each song with understanding and joy. And no wonder, given her accompanying musicians: Mike Renzi (p), Eddie Monteiro (accor,background vcl), Jack Wilkins (g), Jay Leonhart (b) or Chip Jackson (b), and Grady Tate (d,background vcl).
The tracks are 52nd Street, I Didn't Know You, Edward E. & Mr. William B., Just Another Sunday, A Little Samba, The Darker Side of the Rainbow, Pretty People, There Ain't Nothing Like the Blues, Where Were You in April, Simple Simon, London at Midnight, Bird, Over and Over, Now We're Just Friends and You Should Be in Disneyland.
The second album is The Artistry of Frank Holder: The Music of Duncan Lamont. Recorded in London for Mainstem in the 1990s, the album featured Frank Holder (vcl,perc) acc by Stan Robinson (ts), Duncan Lamont (ts,fl), Geoff Castle and David Hartley (p), Mark Ridout (g), Malcolm Creese (b), Mark Fletcher and Martin Drew (d).
Holder was a Guyanese jazz singer and percussionist who moved to London in the late 1940s after serving in the Royal Air Force. He recorded initially in 1950 with Johnny Dankworth and continued to perform and record sparingly up until his death in 2017, at 92. His voice is naturally hip on the Lamont material and conveys a relaxed and knowing after-hours feel. [Photo above of Frank Holder]
The Lamont songs on Holder's tribute album are So Little Time, Hymn to Jobim, Miles, Carousel, Scat Singing, 52nd Street, Oh not you again?, Fred Astaire, Billie Holiday, I Did It All for You, Edward E. & Mr. William B., She's a Woman, Mr. Mercer, The Quiet Time, You Were Born to Smile, I Didn't Know You at All, The Other Side of the Rainbow and You Should Be in Disneyland.
You'll find yourself listening to these recordings over and over in one sitting.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find the Frank Holder album here. The Nancy Marano album is out of print.
Yikes! A set that packages them together is out of print but going for $976 at Amazon here.
If you want to reach out to Nancy Marano for the music, the "contact" tab at her website is in the upper right-hand corner here.
JazzWax clips: You'll find all of the Frank Holder tracks at YouTube here. And you'll find the Nancy Marano tracks at YouTube here.
Here's Marano on Pretty People...
Here's Marano on There Ain't Nothing Like The Blues...
Here's Holder on So Little Time...
And here's Holder on Fred Astaire...
A special thanks to Joe Lang.
