Rowles Finds His Footing on Weather
A West Coast session where Jimmy Rowles stretches out with a tight band of sharp, unfussy players.
Weather in a Jazz Vane is a record from Jimmy Rowles at a point when he was still building his reputation as a pianist and composer rather than a headliner. Known widely as an accompanist and a songwriter, he used this date to step forward with his own band and his own arrangements, and the result is a loose, swinging session that sits comfortably in the cool-leaning West Coast style of its era.
What you hear is a small group working efficiently. Monty Budwig keeps the bass line steady and unshowy, while Mel Lewis pushes the time without ever overplaying. The horn section, with Herb Geller on alto and Bill Holman on saxophone, gives the arrangements their character, trading lines with a clean, conversational feel. Rowles himself is less flashy than some of his peers, favoring lightly voiced chords and a sense of space over density.
If you are new to Rowles, this is not the place I would start. His accompaniment work with singers and his later trio recordings show his strengths more clearly. But for listeners already following his career, this is a useful document of the ideas he was developing before his profile grew, and it holds up as a pleasant, well-played West Coast date.
Who's playing
Monty Budwigbass
Jimmy Rowlespiano
Herb Gelleralto saxophone
Bill Holmansaxophone
Lee Katzmantrumpet
Bob Enevoldsentrombone
Mel Lewisdrums
Where next?
More by Jimmy Rowles
All 27 albums →
