Sheldon "Shelly" Manne was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, swing, bebop, avant-garde jazz, and later fusion. He also contributed to the musical background of hundreds of Hollywood films and television programs.
Barney Kessel was an American jazz guitarist. Known in particular for his knowledge of chords and inversions and chord-based melodies, he was a member of many prominent jazz groups as well as a "first call" guitarist for studio, film, and television recording sessions. Kessel was a member of the group of session musicians informally known as the Wrecking Crew.
Leroy Vinnegar was an American jazz bassist. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, the self-taught Vinnegar established his reputation in Los Angeles, California, during the 1950s and 1960s. His trademark was the rhythmic "walking" bass line, a steady series of ascending or descending notes, and it brought him the nickname "The Walker". Besides his jazz work, he also appeared on a number of soundtracks and pop albums, notably Van Morrison's 1972 album, Saint Dominic's Preview.
Way Out West is a 1957 album by Sonny Rollins with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne, neither of whom had previously played or recorded with Rollins. The music employs a technique called "strolling", used here by Rollins for the first time, in which he would solo over only bass and drums with no pianist or guitarist playing chords. The reissue of the CD has additional takes of three of the songs, including the title track. These additional takes are all about twice as long, containing much longer solos from all three members of the band.
My Fair Lady, recorded by "Shelly Manne & His Friends" and released in 1956 by Contemporary Records, is the first album ever made consisting entirely of jazz versions of tunes from a single Broadway musical. It was an instant hit and became one of the best-selling jazz albums of its day.
Joseph Henry Gordon was an American jazz trumpeter.
Li'l Abner is an album by Shelly Manne and His Friends, recorded in 1957 for Contemporary Records.
Four! is a 1958 album by Hampton Hawes, originally released on the Contemporary label and reissued in 1991 by Original Jazz Classics.
The Newborn Touch is an album by American jazz pianist Phineas Newborn Jr. recorded in 1964 and released on the Contemporary label.
Leroy Walks! is the debut album by American jazz bassist Leroy Vinnegar recorded in 1957 and released on the Contemporary label. On June 16, 2023 a version newly remastered by Bernie Grundman was reissued by Craft Recordings.
Swinging Sounds is a jazz album by drummer Shelly Manne's group Shelly Manne & His Men, recorded in 1956 and released on the Contemporary label. Early releases of the album were labelled Vol 4, indicating it was the fourth volume of recordings released by the group.
Concerto for Clarinet & Combo is an album by drummer Shelly Manne's group Shelly Manne & His Men recorded at sessions in 1955 and 1957 and released on the Contemporary label.
At the Black Hawk 3 is a live album by drummer Shelly Manne's group Shelly Manne & His Men, recorded at the Black Hawk in San Francisco, California, in 1959 and released on the Contemporary label. The album was the third volume of four originally released in 1960. In 1991, the albums were re-released on CD with bonus tracks along with a fifth volume of unreleased recordings, and a Complete Live at the Black Hawk box set was released in 2010.
Let's Cook! is an album by guitarist Barney Kessel recorded at sessions in 1957 but not released on the Contemporary label until 1962.
Kessel Plays Standards is an album by guitarist Barney Kessel released on the Contemporary label and featuring eight tracks originally released on the Barney Kessel Volume 2 10-inch album which were recorded at sessions in 1954 along with an additional four tracks from 1955.
To Swing or Not to Swing is an album by guitarist Barney Kessel released on the Contemporary label which was recorded at sessions in 1955.
Some Like It Hot is an album by guitarist Barney Kessel performing adaptations music from Billy Wilder's 1959 film Some Like It Hot, recorded in 1959 and released on the Contemporary label.
Jazz Giant is an album by saxophonist Benny Carter that was recorded in 1957 and 1958 and released by Contemporary Records.
Something Special is a live album by American jazz pianist Hampton Hawes recorded in 1976 and released on the Contemporary label in 1994.
Lester Koenig was an American screenwriter, film producer, and founder of the jazz record label Contemporary Records.
