I stumbled across
this at eMusic -
Ralph Pena: Master Of The Bass.
"The previously unreleased privately recorded material included on this 1996 CD features the obscure but talented bassist Ralph Pena performing five spirited duets with pianist Pete Jolly, one with pianist Joe Albany and four trio numbers with Albany and the great altoist Herb Geller (who is heard in top form). The reasonably well-recorded performances include blues, bop and several obscurities (such as "Whims Of Chambers," "While A Cigarette Was Burning" and "I Don't Wanna Be Kissed"). Pena, who died in a car accident in 1969 while in his early forties, was a fine supportive bassist and a good soloist, making this rare material a strong tribute to his talents."
Another one with just Pena and Jolly:
'Duo'
"...The music on this CD, of which originally only a dozen LPs were pressed, is rare in the extreme. It is taken from a 1960 tour of New Zealand and features Jolly and Pena digging into a variety of jazz standards and originals. Most unusual are the fairly early covers of Bud Powell's "Celia," George Wallington's obscure "Variations," and Thelonious Monk's "Friday the Thirteenth." Pete Jolly and straight-ahead jazz piano collectors will definitely want this rare item."
Paul Warburton has mentioned Ralph before as one of the premier west coast players, but I've not spent much time listening to him before. In the duo/trio format you can hear the bass well...great playing and the musicians seem to be having a lot of fun.
I downloaded a number of tracks from each album to sample them, and will be downloading the rest.
Andy
