Russell Garcia

Arranger Russell Garcia - very active on the West Coast in the 50s and 60s - died in November. I thought I might present a few of his unre-released LPs in tribute to his talents.

Most of Garcia's available work is backing singers and instrumentalists, including Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, but he also did instrumental records in a number of genres - jazz, easy listening and samba. This 1956 effort, a combination of instrumental and vocal items, is a tribute to songwriter and Hollywood music director Johnny Green. (Green is on the right in the cover photo.)

For the date, Garcia was joined by some of the most active West Coast musicians of the time, including trumpeter Don Fagerquist and pianist John T. Williams, who later became famous for his film scores.

The excellent vocalists include Jud Conlon's Rhythmaires, who worked with Bing Crosby and on Disney films, and studio singers Sue Allen and Eddie Robertson.

Green wrote many standards - including "Body and Soul," "Out of Nowhere," "East Come, Easy Go," "I Cover the Waterfront," "You're Mine You" and "I'm Yours." I enjoyed just as much the more unfamiliar items here, such as "The Trembling of a Leaf," "Hello My Lover Goodbye" and "With You With Me."

This record produced no hits, broke no new ground and is not exceptional for its time. However, it is distinguished by the skill it displays and the pleasure it will bring to the sympathetic listener. The sound is vivid, if not always well balanced.

To learn more about Russ Garcia, please read this fine remembrance by Marc Myers, which also links to an interview with the arranger from a few years ago.