The Artists
From the original liner notes:
Rick Lundy
and The Saints, perhaps the most phenomenal new fledged jazz
band to enter the Dixieland scene in the last decade, vivify
an historic music form in a vibrant, exciting and youthful style
which is a self-reflection of these young and talented college
musicians. The Saints, in less than two years, have not merely
risen to the top of the collegiate jazz market but have burst
through in the professional level, vying for the spotlight with
the greats of jazz. Playing, rehearsing, and arranging, in addition
to their school activities, Rick Lundy and The Saints have already
shared the stand and stage with Eddie Condon, Billy May, Kai
Winding, and Wilbur de Paris. Attesting even more to their musical
excellence and distinctiveness is the extensive public demand
for their kind of music, created without the aid of contacts
of a promoter or theatrical agent.
Touring on weekends and vacation as far as time will allow, The Saints
have been featured from the Biltmore and Jimmy Ryan's in New
York to the Elbow Beach Surf Club in Bermuda; they have given
jazz concerts from Washington to Boston, highlighted by a concert
spot in Carnegie Hall. They spent the summer of 1959 on a European
tour, spreading the Dixieland gospel throughout France, England,
Germany, and Holland.
The band originated at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
under the name of Pennsylvania's Six Pence -- an identifying
name necessary for success on the college jazz circuit At that
time, three of the boys were still in high school and three
were attending Pennsylvania. As good fortune came their way,
The Six-Pence found that appellation geographically limiting
and far from universal; therefore, they changed it to The Saints
-- retaining the name Rick Lundy and The Six-Pence for society
engagements, for this diversified group not only plays danceable
Dixieland, but has a flair for society music as well.
Bill Harman, 19-year-old engineering student and jazz trombonist, is a sophomore
at the University of Delaware. Bob Kindred, also 19 and a clarinetist,
is a liberal arts sophomore at Temple Univeristy. Ron Distefano,
19-year-old drummer, is in the advertising field. Gary Goldschneider,
20-year-old piano man and Phi Beta Kappa, was graduated from
Penn in 1959 and will attend graduate school at London University.
Harvey Leidy, 21-year-old business major at Penn, and the group's
bass fiddle and tuba player, will attend Columbia's Graduate
School next year. Rick Lundy, the old man of the group at 23,
graduated from Penn in 1958 and received his Master's degree
in Economics from Columbia in 1959.
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» Muskrat Ramble (4:34)
» Down By The Riverside (3:07)
» Back Home Again In Indiana (4:33)
Though the
rhythm section in Dixieland must maintain the foundation and
beat, it is noteworthy how each instrument, even the drums,
is a true musical instrument, always following, harmonizing,
and emphasizing. The rhythm is strongly a part of The Saints,
but never dominatingly or indiscriminatingly boisterous.
The real
core of the ensemble sound centers around the unified front
line of trumpet, trombone, and clarinet. It is striking that
three minds should meet so often, the clarinet playing a third
above the lead trumpet and the trombone responding in counterpoint,
punching and sliding tastefully and with cultivated discretion.
Each instrumentalist seems to realize his place in the group
and does all he can to enhance the soloist and the aggregate
sound.
Rick Lundy's
Saints do not pretend to play "pure" Dixieland. Their
concept of jazz is not a plodding New Orleans four beat but
instead a swinging Chicago two beat. They play Dixieland jazz
as any emotionally cultured and expressive musician of today
should -- the way he feels. One can't help but notice the fusion
of legendary and contemporary style: the big band riffs the
modern drum licks, the diversified use of piano, the high ranged
driving trumpet, the occasional complex modern chord, the warm
lyrical clarinet, and finally the humor and satire found in
solos and arrangements. The Saints are uninhibited in imposing,
if you will, their contemporary feelings and influences on a
jazz heritage wrapped in tradition. In person, The Saints are
an exciting, inspiring, and enthusiastic sight -- swinging and
entertaining because they really enjoy playing jazz. They play
Dixieland in the old-fashioned style but what is more important,
they are having fun with Dixieland, for they relish is, delight
in it, and love it!
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