Fast And Loose - Live in 1954

By 1954, the famous Ronnie Scott nine-piece was not only approximately half-way through its two and a half year lifespan, but it was arguably at its peak. Formed early the previous year, and led by indisputably the most charismatic figure in British modern jazz, the band’s stock-in-trade was controversy – daring to include as much modern jazz as it could on the dance hall circuit. Its co-operative policy was described by one of its members, the saxophonist Benny Green, as “syncopated Marxism”, whilst its on-the-road antics prompted the group’s drummer Tony Crombie to remember the unit’s band bus as “a madhouse on wheels”. Nevertheless, packed full of the brightest parochial talent, including trumpeter Jimmy Deuchar and alto saxophonist Derek Humble, the band was among the most consistently musical of its generation and could sunder any opposition. The addition of multi-instrumental wunderkind Victor Feldman during 1954 only added to the groups varied talents. The band’ s BBC Overseas Service broadcast of March 17th 1954 followed the pattern of two previous appearances on the airwaves by being pressed and released by Esquire Records under the prophetic title of The Ronnie Scott Jazz Club Vol.3 and yet despite its excellent and diverse content it was soon deleted, quickly becoming a highly prized collector’s item. This Acrobat release includes not only all of the original LP but adds a further session recorded a month later by Scott and the band’s rhythm section, which features three performances that are previously unissued. Complete with rare photos, press clippings and an extensive booklet essay by saxophonist Simon Spillett, this release is an absolute must for fans of British modern jazz.