Trombonist Matthew Gee was a sideman on a couple of dozen recording sessions but only one as a leader—Jazz by Gee, for Riverside, in July and August 1956. Between 1946 and 1975, Gee recorded with Gene Ammons, Erskine Hawkins, Sonny Stitt, Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, Nat Pierce, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Griffin, Archie Shepp and many others. And yet, he made just one album under his own name. A terrible oversight by record labels at the time.
Today, Gee is barely known. As a sideman, his trombone was an ingredient in other artists' creations, so he never became a household name. What's interesting about his trombone is that he played with a zesty bark. A bebopper, Gee was able to push a rich sound through his horn and keep his improvisation bouncy and dance-like.
Now, Fresh Sound has released Jazz by Gee!: Matthew Gee All Stars that includes Gee's sole leadership album as well as sideman recordings leading up to that session. The bonus tracks are Gee with three different ensemble, led by Lou Donaldson, Illinois Jacquet and Joe Newman. Of particular note about Jazz by Gee! are Gee's sidemen on the two leadership sessions. They were indeed all-stars:
On the July 19, 1956 session: Kenny Dorham (tp), Matthew Gee (tb), Frank Foster (ts), Cecil Payne (bar), Joe Knight (p), John Simmons (b) and Art Taylor (d).
- Gee!
- Kingston Lounge
- The Boys From Brooklyn
On the August 22, 1956 session: Matthew Gee (tb), Ernie Henry (as), Joe Knight (p), Wilbur Ware (b) and Art Taylor (d).
- Out of Nowhere
- I'll Remember April
- Joram
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Lover Man
Interestingly, Gee (above) was a nifty composer. The three tracks recorded in July are his. On these, we have terrific solos by Dorham, Foster, Payne, Knight and Gee. Knight was a glorious player and can only be heard on one other album: Bennie Green's Back on the Scene, recorded in 1958.
The August session's treat is Ernie Henry, an alto saxophonist with a bright sound. Henry and Gee sound so good together one wonders why they weren't recorded on a few more LPs. Knight is back, along with Taylor's wailing on drums. We also get to hear Ware up front and close..
The bonus tracks include plenty of surprises as well.
With Illinois Jacquet and His Orchestra in December 1953, Gee and the band play On Your Toes, taken at a breakneck pace. The band featured Russell Jacquet (tp), Matthew Gee (tb), Illinois Jacquet (ts), Cecil Payne (bar), Johnny Acea (p), Al Lucas (b) and Shadow Wilson (d).
On Moe's Bluff, a Lou Donaldson date in August 1954, we hear some early hard bop, with Dorham, Donaldson and Gee in the front line, and Elmo Hope, Percy Heath and Art Blakey bringing up the rear.
Gee is with the Joe Newman Septet in March 1956. On Close Quarters, we have Joe Newman (tp), Matthew Gee (tb), Frank Wess (fl,ts), Frank Foster (ts), Johnny Acea (p), Eddie Jones (b) and Osie Johnson (d). Dig Gee's solo on this one!
Matthew Gee died in 1979.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Jazz by Gee!: Matthew Gee All Stars (Fresh Sound) here. Don't forget to use the 8% discount code: JAZZWAX_DISCOUNT
JazzWax clips: Here's Gee!...
Here's The Boys From Brooklyn...
Here's Gee taking a nice, warm solo on Lover Man, followed by Ware on bass...
And here's Close Quarters...