George Masso (November 17, 1926 – October 22, 2019)[1] was an American jazz trombonist, bandleader, vibraphonist, and composer specializing in swing and Dixieland. Masso is notable for his work from 1948–1950 as a member of the Jimmy Dorsey band.[2]
George Masso | |
|---|---|
 George Masso (left) and Ricky Woodard | |
| Background information | |
| Born | November 17, 1926 Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Died | October 22, 2019 (aged 92) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Trombone, vibraphone |
| Labels | Sackville, Arbors, Nagel-Heyer |
Masso was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, United States.[3] Masso began learning to play the trumpet, but expanded his diversity by becoming competent on other instruments.[3] He was further inspired by hearing Lou McGarity playing trombone on Benny Goodman's recording of "Yours". Masso secured a two year spell in the late 1940s in Jimmy Dorsey's band, before finding the life of a professional jazz musician financially difficult, and Masso quit performing. He became a music teacher.[3]
He returned to music in 1973 and performed with Bobby Hackett and Goodman.[3] In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he recorded with Barbara Lea, Bob Haggart, and Yank Lawson.[1]
Discography edit
As leader edit
- Choice N.Y.C. Bone (Famous Door, 1979)
- A Swinging Case of Masso-Ism (Famous Door, 1981)
- Dialogue at Condon's with Al Klink (World Jazz, 1981)
- Pieces of Eight (Dreamstreet, 1982)
- No Frills, Just Music (Famous Door, 1984)
- Just for a Thrill (Sackville, 1990)
- Play Arlen with Spike Robinson (Hep, 1992)
- Let's Be Buddies with Dan Barrett (Arbors, 1994)
- That Old Gang of Mine (Arbors, 1997)
- Just Friends with Ken Peplowski (Nagel Heyer, 2002)
As sideman edit
With World's Greatest Jazz Band of Yank Lawson & Bob Haggart
- Plays Cole Porter (World Jazz, 1975)
- Plays Duke Ellington (World Jazz, 1976)
- Plays George Gershwin (World Jazz, 1977)
- On Tour Vol 1 and 2 (World Jazz, 1977)
With others
- Ruby Braff, Variety Is the Spice of Braff (Arbors, 2002)
- Buck Clayton, Buck Clayton Jam Session Vol. 2 (Chiaroscuro, 1975)
- Buck Clayton, A Buck Clayton Jam Session Vol. IV (Chiaroscuro, 1977)
- James L. Dean & Claudio Roditi, On the Run (Cexton, 1993)
- Tommy Gwaltney, Pee Wee Russell's Land of Jazz: A Memorial Tribute (Teaspoon, 1982)
- Benny Goodman, Live at Carnegie Hall 40th Anniversary Concert (Decca, 1978)
- Scott Hamilton & Warren Vache, Skyscrapers (Concord Jazz, 1980)
- Woody Herman, A Great American Evening Vol. 3 (Concord Jazz, 1983)
- Jerry Jerome, Something Old, Something New (Arbors, 1997)
- Eiji Kitamura, No Count (Concord Jazz, 1983)
- Yank Lawson, Plays Mostly the Blues (Audiophile, 1986)
- Barbara Lea, You're the Cats! (Audiophile, 1989)
- Peggy Lee, Love Held Lightly (Angel, 1993)
- Butch Miles, Butch Miles Salutes Gene Krupa (Famous Door, 1982)
- Butch Miles, Introducing the Ivory Coast Suite (Dreamstreet, 1986)
- Eddie Miller, It's Miller Time (Famous Door, 1980)
- Glenn Miller, In the Digital Mood (GRP, 1983)
- Randy Sandke, The Music of Bob Haggart (Arbors, 2002)
- George Shearing, George Shearing in Dixieland (Concord Jazz, 1989)
- Maxine Sullivan, Together (Atlantic, 1987)
- Charlie Ventura, Chazz '77 (Famous Door, 1977)
- Bob Wilber, Bufadora Blow-up (Arbors, 1997)
- Glenn Zottola, Secret Love (Famous Door, 1982)
- Glenn Zottola, Christmas in Jazztime (Dreamstreet, 1986)
References edit
- ^ a b Bebco, John. "Trombonist George Masso has died at age 92". Syncopatedtimes.com. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
- ^ Yanow, Scott. "Biography: George Masso". AllMusic. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 278/9. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.