| Founded in 1952, the Flamingo on Wardour Street played host to both the cream of visiting U.S. jazz musicians and also the emerging British talent. It is the latter on which the Ember Jazz Originals series focuses primarily. During the '50s, Flamingo founder Jeffrey Kruger built up his interests in music publishing and also facilitated recordings of some of his favorite artists, initially placing them with established outlets. Then in 1960, the first British jazz releases appeared on his own Ember label, both reissues of material previously placed elsewhere, and releases of entirely new repertoire. Baritone saxophonist Ronnie Ross is well known to fans of pop and rock music for his session work with the likes of Donovan in the '60s, and for tutoring the young David Bowie, who subsequently invited him to solo on Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side." In the '50s, Ross played in the bands of Tony Kinsey, Ted Heath and Don Rendell, before performing and recording in his own right, and in collaboration with drummer Allan Ganley as the Jazz Makers. The Ronnie Ross Quintet album was recorded in May 1958 and first released on Parlophone. In 1961 it was reissued on Ember. As well as Ross, the Quintet comprises Bert Courtley (trumpet), Eddie Harvey (piano), Peter Blannin (bass) and Andy White (drums). The ten tracks include band originals, the standard "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," and compositions by Tubby Hayes, Don Rendell and Harry South. This reissue, mastered from tape, is housed in the original Ember sleeve, and the booklet reproduces the original sleeve notes, plus the sleeve to the earlier Parlophone release. |