Here That's Manne: Sessions 1951-58

Shelly Manne (1920-1984) was one of the most important drummers in jazz history. Originally a player in the Sidney Catlett mode, he came under the influence of bop in the '40s, with a style similar to Max Roach's. But a spell with Kenton and a subsequent move to California developed his playing to a high artistic level. Always a colorist, he was known to tune his drums to a definite pitch in order to play melody in the true sense of the phrase.

Having joined the Lighthouse All Stars in 1952, he was by then the leading drummer of the nascent West Coast movement. After a stint with Shorty Rogers' Giants at the end of 1955, he decided to form his own quintet to play the jazz circuit, keeping the trademark name, Shelly Manne and his Men, and the group established itself among the top-line concert and club attractions on the US jazz scene.

Opening with his first recordings as a leader for Dee Gee Records in 1951 (Chicago) and 1952 (Los Angeles), this collection covers both these septet sessions and the great series of all-star septet and quintet recordings made for Contemporary by Shelly Manne and His Men between 1953 and 1958. Here's that Manne.