Cal Collins

 

Cincinnati To L.A.

 

While browsing through the local record store recently, I came across an album on the Concord label featuring a musician I didn’t immediately recognize. The artist was jazz guitarist Cal Collins, and the title of the record was “Cincinnati To L.A.” The recording was trio session with Monty Budwig on double bass and Jake Hanna on drums. I prefer smaller groups, and a trio setting with bass and drums is one of my favourites. I picked up the album, and put it on after I got home. I wasn’t disappointed. According to the album liner notes, which were written by Leonard Feather, Cal, who was born on May 5, 1933 grew up in what Cal described as a country and bluegrass atmosphere, in a household with mandolins, banjos and guitars. As a child, Cal played the mandolin. A little later on, he was exposed to Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian, and focused on jazz. After a stint in the Army, he decided to take on the challenge of making his living as a professional musician. He paid his dues, mainly working around Cincinnati, until in 1976, after a recommendation, he auditioned for Benny Goodman and was selected to become the guitarist in Benny’s group. While performing in California with Benny, he was offered an opportunity to record with Concord Records. 

“Cincinnati To L.A.” was Cal’s second record on Concord. The album has ten tracks, all of them jazz standards. The songs provide a variety of settings for the trio to shine, and of course lots of room to hear Cal’s very talented playing. The years of working in lounges I’m sure provided Cal with an impressive repertoire of material to work with, and on this record, we get to hear him in different settings. Of note, he is featured as the solo instrument on “If I Had You”. The group’s performance of “Willow Weep For Me” is also a highlight, emphasizing the bluesy aspect of the song. One of the things I found interesting about Cal was his choice of guitar; a Gretsch 6120 hollow-body, an instrument not normally associated with jazz. 

Unfortunately, very little of Cal Collin’s excellent recordings made the transition to compact disc, although there are some videos on YouTube. The album “Cincinnati To L.A.” was produced by Carl Jefferson of Concord Jazz, and was recorded in California. The catalogue number is CJ-59. I should mention that in his discography, Cal is noted as being a popular sideman, appearing on a variety of other Concord albums. As I like to say, highly recommended.