Mary Osborne

Guitarist Mary Osborne made relatively few records, but the quantity of her output bears no relationship to the quality of her musicianship.

This is the only LP she recorded under her own name, for the short-lived, but very interesting Warwick label, in 1959.

1955 ad

Osborne was a terrific guitarist, originally inspired, as many were, by Charlie Christian, although she developed a forthright style of her own, well displayed here.

She started out in big bands, then moved to small groups, making a number of 78s in the 40s with such artists as Beryl Booker and Coleman Hawkins. She also led at least one date herself.

On this occasion she is joined by a stellar ensemble that includes Tommy Flanagan (p), Danny Barker (rhythm-g), Tommy Potter (b), and Jo Jones (d).

Excellent sound on this one. Thanks to my pal flyingfinger for the cover image above - the scan in the download is of my worn original copy.

Note (July 2024): This has now been remastered in ambient stereo. Also, the song "I Found a New Baby" was slightly truncated in the earlier edition. Linked below are the complete LP and the fixed "I Found a New Baby" separately.

LINK to complete LP

LINK to fixed "I Found a New Baby"