Earle Spencer (ldr), Buddy Childers, Tony Facciuto (Faccinto), Jack Gerheim (Garehime), Jerry Munson, Clyde Reasinger (t), Harry Forbes, Earl Hamlin, Jimmy Knepper, J.D. (Durward) Morsch, Earle Spencer (tb), Herb Geller, Art Pepper (as, cl), Stan Heaney, Tommy Makagon (ts, cl), Howard Phillips (bar), Laurindo Almeida (g), Shannon Fletcher (p), Willie Slater (Stader) (b), Roy Hall (d), Toni Aubin (v)

Toni Aubin (v) on c.

This session, one of Geller's earliest commercial recordings and the last of the Spencer orchestra, is controversial. Some sources, including Ernie Edwards' "New Art Pepper Discography," Todd Selbert's Art Pepper discography in "Straight Life" (1979), the liner notes to IAJRC 41 and the Bruyninckx discography (CD-ROM 2004) list considerably different personnel not including Geller (Bob Lively is listed on alto sax along with Art Pepper). The personnel shown here are found in the Lord discography and the liner notes to Fresh Sound 2501. Geller definitely remembers being on this session: "I remember that because it was the first time I met and played with Art Pepper. It was around 1947, and perhaps my first recording as a sideman." (email from Herb Geller, Oct. 4, 2011). The 1947 date is mentioned in other sources including the Jepsen discography but seems unlikely given the number of Stan Kenton musicians present (Childers, Pepper, Almeida, Betts). 1949 seems more reasonable because Kenton had disbanded in late 1948 after which these musicians joined Spencer (reported in Down Beat Magazine). Many thanks to Todd Selbert for information pertaining to this session.

Update July 18, 2012: The union contract (Local 47, AFM) for this session confirms the date, studio and personnel shown (many thanks to John Reeder).

Track a features an ensemble vocal on the last chorus. Herb Geller does not solo on any of the tracks.

Claude Thornhill (ldr), Joseph Dolney, Tom Patton, Chuck Speights (t), Obie Massingill, Lew McCreary (tb), Al Antonucci (frh), Gene Allen, Herb Geller, Dick Hafer, Jeff Massingill, Bob Walters (sax, cl), Claude Thornhill (x, p), Joe Derise (g), Joseph Lommas (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Marion Colby, The Snowflakes (v)

Claude Thornhill (x) on c; Marion Colby (v) on e; The Snowflakes (v) on b, d.

Information on this session comes from jazz-on-film expert Mark Cantor. These are performances from a short Universal-International film, "Claude Thornhill and His Orchestra," produced and directed by Will Cowan. On track c, Thornhill literally destroys a xylophone. The bassist's last name may be Lommo. Herb Geller does not solo on any of the titles.

The following from Geller (email) regarding the Thornhill band:
"Thornhill´s band came to L.A. to do a month at the Palladium. Hal McKusick was playing the alto chair and had to return to New York because of sickness in his family. He recommended me to replace him. I finished the engagement and we did that musical short and a recording during that time. Bob Walters played the clarinet role and I believe Dick Hafer was on tenor and Gene Allen on baritone."

Claude Thornhill (ldr), Tom Arthur, Riley Norris, Sonny Rich (t), Obie Massingill, Lew McCreary (tb), Al Antonucci (frh), Herb Geller (as), Bob Walters (as, cl), Dick Hafer, Jeff Massingill (ts), Gene Allen (bar), Roc Hillman (g), Claude Thornhill (p), Morty Corb (b), Frank Bode (d), Nancy Clayton, Russ McIntyre, The Snowflakes (v)

Nancy Clayton (v) on c; Russ McIntyre (v) on a, c-d; The Snowflakes (v) on a-b.

The information shown comes from the liner notes to Ajaz 284 and Laurent Cugny's online Gil Evans discography. The Bruyninckx and Lord discographies indicate the guitarist is Joe Derise who they also say arranged tracks a, b and d. Both of those sources also incorrectly call track b "Sugar Foot Strut" and track c, "Swingin' Down the Lane."

Tony Fruscella (ldr), Tony Fruscella (t), Herb Geller (as), Phil Urso (ts), Gene Allen (bar), Bill Triglia (p), Red Mitchell (b), Howie Mann (d)

Soloists:
Track a - Urso, Fruscella
Track b - Triglia
Track c - Urso, Fruscella, Geller
Track d - Triglia, Fruscella, Urso

Jerry Wald (ldr), Al Porcino, Dick Sherman, Al Stewart (t), Jack Hitchcock, Sonny Russo (tb), Herb Geller, Sam Zittman (as), Buddy Arnold (ts), Danny Bank, Sid Brown (bar), Jerry Wald (cl, con), unknown (p), Ross Savakos (b), Howie Mann (d), Chris Connor (v)

f, g  performed as medley

Chris Connor (v) on a-b, g, i, l-m, o, q, t.

Information on this appearance (probably a dance) comes from Ivan Santiago’s Chris Connor Bio-discography. According to this source, the date shown is likely but not certain.

The timings shown do not include announcements or applause.

Bull Moose Jackson (ldr), Joe Wilder (t), Herb Geller, Ted 'Snookie' Hulbert (as), Lowell 'Count' Hastings (ts), Bull Moose Jackson (ts, v), Bill Doggett (p, cel), Lloyd Trotman (b), Les Erskine (d)

Bill Doggett (cel) on c; Bull Moose Jackson (v) on a-c.

Herb Geller does not solo on any of the issued tracks.

Jerry Wald (ldr), Al Derisi, Al Porcino, Dick Sherman, Al Stewart (t), Jack Hitchcock, Sonny Russo (tb), Herb Geller, Sam Zittman (as), Buddy Arnold (ts), George Berg, Eddie Cano (bar), Jerry Wald (cl), Billy Bauer (g), Jack Kelly (p), Eddie Safranski (b), Don Lamond (d), Chris Connor (v)

Chris Connor (v) on a, c-f.

Wald overdubs additional clarinet parts. The saxophone assignments are not certain. Herb Geller does not solo on any of the tracks.

Billy May (ldr), John Coppola, Tony Facciuto (Faccinto), Conrad Gozzo, Robert McKenzie (t), Karl DeKarske, Robert Reisiger, Robert Robinson, Si Zentner (tb), Richard Clay (sax), Charles Deremo, Herb Geller, Arthur 'Skeets' Herfurt (as), Ted Nash, Joe Spang (ts), Jack Agee (bar), Ray Pohlman (g), Cliff Fishback (p), Carson Smith (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Alicia Adams, Clark Burroughs, Jack Elliott, Bob Morse, Randy Van Horne (v)

Alicia Adams (v) on b, d; Clark Burroughs (v) on b, d; Jack Elliott (v) on b, d; Bob Morse (v) on b, d; Randy Van Horne (v) on b, d.

The Bruyninckx and Lord discographies indicate that Herb Geller is present on this and other 1952 Capitol Records sessions of the Billy May Orchestra; however, Jack Mirtle's comprehensive discography, "The Music of Billy May" and Ruppli's Capitol Records Discography do not include Geller on any of the Billy May recording sessions. It is interesting to note that Mirtle has a note to this session as follows: "The above and following sessions were basically road band personnel, with studio subs in a few key positions." Herb Geller has informed me that he was present on this session ("About Billy May, I remember I recorded 'High Noon' with him." - email January 15, 2012).

I have included in the personnel all the musicians listed in the Mirtle and Ruppli discographies (the most definitive sources) and included Geller as well. Obviously, there are too many saxophone players but it's impossible to determine who actually was present. Other musicians listed in the Bruyninckx and Lord discographies for this session are: Stu Williamson (t), Chuck Etter (tb), Willie Smith (as). Ralph Pena (b) and Remo Belli (d). At this point, the personnel shown here must be considered a best guess based on the information in hand.

The vocalists comprise a group called "The Encores" (later became the "Hi-Lo's").

Herb Geller (ldr), Herb Geller (as), Lorraine Geller (p), Clarence Jones (b), Larance Marable (d)

Herb Geller (as) on a-d.

Information on these recordings comes from the following article: James A. Harrod, "Herb Geller At the Haig,"Names & Numbers, 64, January 2013, p. 42. These tracks were recorded on acetates that, from the labels, appear to be demos, possibly for the Pacific Jazz label. Geller's quartet was performing Tuesday nights at the Haig club when the Gerry Mulligan quartet was off. There are actually two different acetates titled "The Continental" and Harrod indicates that they are the same except that one has the drum solo introduction edited out. Track e is performed only by the rhythm section. These acetates are part of the William Emery Collection and have not been auditioned.

Bob Graettinger (ldr), John Graas (frh), Herb Geller (as), Bud Shank (as, f), Bart Caldarell (ts, cl, bsn), Bob Cooper (ts, o, enh), John Rotella (bar), Bob Graettinger (con)

John Graas (frh) on a; Bart Caldarell (cl) on a, (bsn) on a; Bud Shank (f) on a; Bob Cooper (o) on a, (enh) on a.

These are two sections of Graettinger's "This Modern World" suite and have been issued under Stan Kenton's name.

Shorty Rogers (ldr), Don Dennis, Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, Ruben McFall, Shorty Rogers (t), Bob Edmondson, Herbie Harper (tb), Bob Enevoldsen (vtb), Herb Geller (as), Jack Montrose, Bill Perkins (ts), Bill Holman (bar), Lorraine Geller (p), John Simmons (b), Chuck Flores (d)

These are live performances of the Shorty Rogers Big Band. On Time Is 9804, track f is mislabelled as "Tales of an African Lobster," track g is mislabbelled as "Sometimes I'm Happy" and track h is mislabelled as "I May Be Wrong." The title of track f has been confirmed by Ken Poston and a review of the Time Is CD. This was an arrangement originally written for the Woody Herman Orchestra.

The saxophone assignments are likely but not confirmed. Herb Geller solos on tracks a, d, e, h-k, m and p. It is difficult to identify all the soloists because many of them, especially the trombones, are off-mic.

Shorty Rogers (ldr), Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, Ray Linn, Tom Reeves, Shorty Rogers (t), Harry Betts, Jimmy Knepper (tb), Bob Enevoldsen (vtb), John Graas (frh), Paul Sarmento (tu), Herb Geller, Bud Shank (as), Bill Holman, Bill Perkins (ts), Bob Cooper, Jimmy Giuffre (bar), Russ Freeman (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Shelly Manne (d)

This is music from a film originally titled "Hot Blood" but later changed to "The Wild One," featuring Marlon Brando. Herb Geller does not solo on any of the tracks. The brief alto saxophone solo on track c is probably Shank.

Herb Geller (ldr), Herb Geller (as), Lorraine Geller (p), John Simmons (b), Roy Harte (d)

The original EP issues give the wrong personnel and recording date indicating that the bassist is Curtis Counce and the drummer Larry [sic] Marable; the recording date is listed as July 1954. In an interview, Herb Geller stated that the bassist was John Simmons and that Roy Harte suggested this recording session. The 2006 Fresh Sound CD reissue gives the correct personnel (Simmons, Harte) but lists the recording date as July 4, 1954. The recording date and location shown come from the AFM Local 47 union contract courtesy of Jim Harrod.

Howard Rumsey (ldr), Rolf Ericson (t), Herb Geller (as), Bob Cooper (ts), Claude Williamson (p), Howard Rumsey (b), Max Roach (d)

The liner notes indicate that "Funnyfied" was written by Jimmy Giuffre for Woody Herman's 2nd Herd.

Solo order: Cooper, Ericson, Geller, Williamson

Howard Rumsey (ldr), Rolf Ericson (t), Milt Bernhart (tb), Herb Geller (as), Bob Cooper (ts), Bud Shank (bar), Claude Williamson (p), Howard Rumsey (b), Max Roach (d), Jack Costanzo (bo)

Milt Bernhart (tb) on d; Jack Costanzo (bo) on a, d.

Soloists:
Track a - Shank, Ericson, Williamson
Track b - Geller/Shank, Cooper/Ericson, Williamson
Track c - Williamson
Track d - Roach/Costanzo, Ericson, Geller, Williamson

Chet Baker (ldr), Chet Baker (t), Herb Geller (as, ts), Jack Montrose (ts), Bob Gordon (bar), Russ Freeman (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Herb Geller plays tenor saxophone in the ensembles. The tenor saxophone soloist is Montrose.

Soloists:
Track a - Freeman (intro), Freeman, Baker, Montrose, Manne (call and response with ensemble)
Tracks b-c - Baker, Geller (as), Gordon
Track d - Baker, Freeman, Montrose, Gordon
Tracks e-f - Baker, Freeman, Gordon

Chet Baker (ldr), Chet Baker (t), Herb Geller (as, ts), Jack Montrose (ts), Bob Gordon (bar), Russ Freeman (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Although not so indicated, the version of "Moonlight Becomes You" issued on Fresh Sound 175 is the alternate take. Herb Geller plays tenor saxophone in the ensembles. The tenor saxophone soloist is Montrose.

Soloists:
Track a - Baker, Gordon, Freeman
Track b - Baker, Montrose, Freeman
Track c - Baker, Baker/Montrose
Tracks d-e - Baker, Freeman, Baker
Tracks f-g - Baker

Shorty Rogers (ldr), Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, Clyde Reasinger, Shorty Rogers (t), Milt Bernhart, Harry Betts (tb), Bob Enevoldsen (vtb), John Graas (frh), Paul Sarmento (tu), Herb Geller (as), Bud Shank (as, bar), Bob Cooper, Zoot Sims (ts), Jimmy Giuffre (ts, bar), Marty Paich (p), Curtis Counce (b), Shelly Manne (d)

The Lord discography indicates that the master numbers for tracks b-d are E4VB3023, E4VB3024 and E4VB3025, respectively. The master numbers shown come from the liner notes to RCA Victor (Ger.) 32337 which, in turn, come from the Bruyninckx discography.

Horn soloists:
Track a - Rogers, Geller, Giuffre (ts)
Track b - Shank (bar), Rogers, Sims
Track c - Sims, Rogers, Geller
Track d - Geller, Rogers, Sims

Shorty Rogers (ldr), Pete Candoli, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, Shorty Rogers (t), Milt Bernhart, Harry Betts (tb), Bob Enevoldsen (vtb), John Graas (frh), Paul Sarmento (tu), Herb Geller (as), Bud Shank (as, ts), Jimmy Giuffre (ts, cl), Bill Holman (ts), Bob Gordon (bar), Marty Paich (p), Curtis Counce (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Horn soloists:
Track a - Giuffre (cl), Rogers, Shank (ts)
Track b - Rogers, Giuffre (ts)
Track c - Bernhart, Rogers, Holman, Geller
Track d - Rogers, Geller, Enevoldsen

Dan Terry (ldr), John Anderson, Conrad Gozzo, Ray Linn, Mickey Mangano, Tom Reeves, Dan Terry (t), Milt Bernhart, Jimmy Knepper, Jimmy Priddy (tb), Herb Geller, Bud Shank (as), Dave Madden, Joe Maini (ts), Gil Bernal (bar), Al Hendrickson (g), Fred Otis (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Shelly Manne, Alvin Stoller (d), unknown (bkv), Don Gordon (v)

unknown (bkv) on f-g, s; Don Gordon (v) on e-h, s.

The personnel are collective over several sessions. Discographer Michel Ruppli provides the following information (email):
Tracks a-d February 22, 1954
Tracks e-h February 24, 1954 (session 1)
Tracks i-k, r February 24, 1954 (session 2)
Tracks l-o February 25, 1954 (session 1)
Tracks p, q, s February 25, 1954 (session 2)

An unidentified vocal group is present on tracks f, g and s. Ensemble vocals are heard on tracks c, l and s.

Herb Geller solos on tracks a, k, n, p and r.

Maynard Ferguson (ldr), Maynard Ferguson (t), Milt Bernhart (tb), Herb Geller (as), Bob Cooper (ts), Claude Williamson (p), John Simmons (b), Max Roach (d)

Baritone saxophonist Bob Gordon is listed as being present but, in fact, is not heard.

Soloists:
Track a - Geller, Bernhart, Williamson, Roach, Cooper, Ferguson
Track b - Cooper, Bernhart, Williamson, Geller, Ferguson

Shorty Rogers (ldr), Pete Candoli, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, Shorty Rogers (t), Milt Bernhart, Harry Betts (tb), Bob Enevoldsen (vtb), John Graas (frh), Paul Sarmento (tu), Herb Geller (as), Bud Shank (as, bar), Bob Cooper, Zoot Sims (ts), Jimmy Giuffre (ts, cl), Marty Paich (p), Curtis Counce (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Horn soloists:
Track a - Giuffre (cl), Rogers, Enevoldsen, Cooper
Track b - Sims, Shank (bar), Giuffre (ts), Cooper
Track c - Rogers, Sims, Enevoldsen, Shank (bar)
Track d - Giuffre (cl), Rogers, Graas, Geller, Sims

Chico O'Farrill (ldr), Carleton McBeath, Lou Obergh, Stu Williamson (t), Don Davidson (ww, bar), Herb Geller (ww, as), Herbie Steward, Eddie Wasserman (ww, ts), Fred Otis (p), Don Bagley (b), Jackie Mills (d), Modesto Martinez (per), Carlos Vidal (cng), Chico O'Farrill (con)

Herb Geller does not solo on any of the tracks.

Chico O'Farrill (ldr), Carleton McBeath, Lou Obergh, Stu Williamson (t), Don Davidson (ww, bar), Herb Geller (ww, as), Herbie Steward, Eddie Wasserman (ww, ts), Fred Otis (p), Don Bagley (b), Jackie Mills (d), Modesto Martinez (per), Carlos Vidal (cng), Chico O'Farrill (con)

Herb Geller does not solo on any of the tracks.

Chico O'Farrill (ldr), Carleton McBeath, Lou Obergh, Stu Williamson (t), Don Davidson (ww, bar), Herb Geller (ww, as), Herbie Steward, Eddie Wasserman (ww, ts), Fred Otis (p), Don Bagley (b), Jackie Mills (d), Modesto Martinez (per), Carlos Vidal (cng), Chico O'Farrill (con)

According to the liner notes to the CD reissue Verve 314 533 256-2, these tracks were recorded on April 16, 1954; however, the master numbers suggest the later date. Herb Geller does not solo on any of the tracks.

Dan Terry (ldr), Rolf Ericson, Ray Linn, Mickey Mangano, Tom Reeves, Dan Terry, Stu Williamson (t), Milt Bernhart, Bob Fitzpatrick, Herbie Harper, Jimmy Knepper (tb), Herb Geller, Joe Maini (as), Bill Holman, Eddie Wasserman (ts), Bob Gordon (bar), George Russell (g), Fred Otis (p), Jack Cascales (b), Irv Cottler (d), Don Gordon, Connie Haines (v)

Don Gordon (v) on c; Connie Haines (v) on b.

Information on this session comes from jazz-on-film expert Mark Cantor. These performances are from the sound track to the short film "Birth of a Band" produced and directed by Will Cowan for Universal-International. Some of the listed recording musicians were substituted for in the actual film. Herb Geller solos briefly on screen on tracks a and d. Jimmy Knepper is also featured on screen on track a. Track b is a feature for Connie Haines backed only by the rhythm section. The film also includes a performance of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" featuring Haines and a rhythm section which may or may not be from the Terry band.

Bill Holman (ldr), Don Fagerquist (t), Bob Enevoldsen, Stu Williamson (vtb), Herb Geller (as), Bill Holman (ts), Bob Gordon (bar), Curtis Counce (b), Stan Levey (d)

Soloists:
Track a - probably Enevoldsen, Fagerquist, Gordon, Holman
Track b - Geller, Holman, Fagerquist
Track c - Holman, Geller
Track d - Holman, Fagerquist, probably Williamson

Bill Holman (ldr), Don Fagerquist (t), Bob Enevoldsen, Stu Williamson (vtb), Herb Geller (as), Bill Holman (ts), Bob Gordon (bar), Curtis Counce (b), Stan Levey (d)

Soloists:
Track a - Holman, probably Williamson, Fagerquist
Track b - Geller, probably Williamson
Track c - Levey (intro), Fagerquist, Holman, Levey (call and response with ensemble), Counce (walking)
Track d - Fagerquist, Holman

Don Fagerquist (t), Milt Bernhart (tb), John Graas (frh), Herb Geller (as), Jimmy Giuffre (ts, bar, cl), Howard Roberts (g), Marty Paich (p), Curtis Counce (b), Larry Bunker (d)

Soloists:
Track a - Geller, Fagerquist, Giuffre (bar), Bernhart, Graas, Roberts, Paich, Geller/Fagerquist/Giuffre (bar)/Bernhart/Graas (4-bar exchanges), Counce (walking)
Track b - Graas, Giuffre (bar), Bernhart, Fagerquist, Bunker (call and response with ensemble), Roberts, Counce, Geller, Paich
Track c - Geller, Fagerquist, Giuffre (bar), Bernhart, Graas, Counce, Geller (cadenza)

Don Fagerquist (t), Milt Bernhart (tb), John Graas (frh), Herb Geller (as), Jimmy Giuffre (ts, bar, cl), Howard Roberts (g), Marty Paich (p), Curtis Counce (b), Larry Bunker (d)

Soloists:
Track a - Roberts (rubato), Geller, Fagerquist, Geller, Paich (rubato), Bernhart, Graas, Giuffre (ts), Geller, Roberts, Paich, Roberts (rubato)
Track b - Graas, Geller, Roberts, Bunker (call and response with ensemble), Counce, Giuffre (cl), Bernhart, Paich
Track c - Bunker (intro and breaks throughout), Roberts, Graas, Paich, Giuffre (ts), Fagerquist, Bernhart, Geller, Counce (walking)

Bill Holman (ldr), Nick Travis (t), Stu Williamson (t, vtb), Bob Enevoldsen (vtb), Herb Geller (as), Bill Holman (ts), Bob Gordon (bar), Max Bennett (b), Stan Levey (d)

Soloists:
Track a - Holman
Track b - Holman, Travis or Williamson (t), Gordon
Track c - Bennett, Geller, Enevoldsen or Williamson (vtb), Holman
Track d - Holman, Williamson (vtb)

Herb Geller (ldr), Herb Geller (as), Lorraine Geller (p), Curtis Counce (b), Larance Marable (d)

Herb Geller (ldr), Herb Geller (as), Lorraine Geller (p), Curtis Counce (b), Larance Marable (d)

Clifford Brown, Max Roach (ldr), Clifford Brown (t), Herb Geller, Joe Maini (as), Walter Benton (ts), Kenny Drew (p), Curtis Counce (b), Max Roach (d)

Herb Geller (as) on a-e, g; Joe Maini (as) on a-e, g; Walter Benton (ts) on a-e, g.

Although most sources give August 11, 1954 as the recording date of this session, the AFM contract master log gives the date as August 10 with Max Roach and Clifford Brown as leaders. Track f is called "The Boss Man" on some issues.

Herb Geller solos on all tracks except f on which only Brown is heard. The order of horn soloists on the other complete tracks is:
Track b - Geller, Brown, Maini, Benton
Track c - Geller, Brown, Maini, Benton
Track d - Geller, Benton, Maini, Brown
Track e - Geller, Benton, Maini, Brown
Track g - Brown, Maini, Benton, Geller

It should be noted that both Dan Morgenstern's notes to Emarcy 838 306-2 (1989) and Nick Catalano's Clifford Brown biography (2000) indicate that Maini is the first alto saxophone soloist on all tracks. I respectfully disagree.

The version of track c on some issues is edited.

Clifford Brown, Herb Geller, Max Roach, Dinah Washington (ldr), Clifford Brown, Maynard Ferguson, Clark Terry (t), Herb Geller (as), Harold Land (ts), Junior Mance, Richie Powell (p), Keter Betts, George Morrow (b), Max Roach (d), Dinah Washington (v)