PONY POINDEXTER - discography 1

DISCOGRAPHY PART 1

biography I discography 1 2 3 4

abbreviations of instruments

acc = accordion
as = alto sax
b = bass
bar-s = baritone sax
bgo = bongo
bs, bsx = bass sax
bjo = banjo
c = cello
cl = clarinet
cga = conga
clav = claviola = hca

co = cornet
dr = drums
el-b = electric bass
engl-h = english-horn
fl = flute
fl-h = flugel-horn
fr-h = french-horn
g = guitar
h = horn
hca = harmonica
keyb = keyboard

ob = oboe
org = organ
p = piano
perc = percussion
ss = soprano sax
perc = percussion
ss = soprano sax
tamb = tambourine
timb = timbales
tb = trombone
tp = trumpet

ts = tenor sax
tu = tuba
v = violin
vib = vibraphone
voc = vocals
ww = woodwind

arr. = arranger
cond. = conductor
dir. = director
prod. = producer

EPIC 16035 (F)

Reviews: Pony Poindexter was a sporadically recorded bop saxophonist who played on sessions by Lambert, Hendricks and Ross as well as Wes Montgomery; his long unavailable 1962 debut as a leader, originally on Epic, finally was reissued as a Koch CD in 2001. Recorded well after his brief association with Prestige, Poindexter leads several all-star ensembles, which include Phil Woods, Gene Quill, Sonny Red, Eric Dolphy, Dexter Gordon, Clifford Jordan, Jimmy Heath, Sal Nistico, Billy Mitchell, and Pepper Adams, with arrangements by Gene Ke. The rhythm sections are also first rate: either Gildo Mahones or Tommy Flanagan play piano, with Ron Carter or Bill Yancey on bass, and Charlie Persip or Elvin Jones on drums. Poindexter is a convincing ballad player with the rich reed section backing him on 'Skylark', while he trades choruses with Gordon's big-toned tenor on a snappy and decidedly non-traditional take of 'Struttin' With Some Barbecue'. His originals include the smoking opener 'Catin' Latin', with the leader on soprano sax (and almost getting buried by the backing saxophone

section at times), the brisk blues 'Pony's Express', and the loping blues 'Lanyop', which also features a typically dare-devil alto solo by Dolphy. Sadly an alternate take of 'Lanyop', which appeared on the LP anthology 'Almost Forgotten', was not licensed for this Koch CD reissue and omitted. It's a shame that P. Poindexter didn't get many more opportunities to record as a leader, as this release demonstrates his considerable promise.
--
Pony Poindexter is one of those Jazz names that you don't hear about much - truth be told, I don't know much about him myself, and for now I'll resist the usual "musician's musician" or "it's a cruel injustice that he's not better known" blather. But I know great jazz when I hear it, and this reissue of a rare album on the Epic label from 1962 is indeed IT. Poindexter's axes are the alto and soprano saxophones and on both he sears and soars. His playing is of the school of post-Charlie Parker, blues-rich, piquant hard bop alto sax - other grads of that school are, naturally, Cannonball Adderley, Jackie McLean and Frank Strozier.

Pony's Express / Pony Poindexter
recorded: February & May 1962 in NYC
original release: 1962 LP EPIC 16035
other issues: 1962 EPIC BA-17035 (stereo) ; 1963 LP EPIC 8860718 ; PRESTIGE ;
2001 CD KOCH International 8591 ; CD EPIC (Ltd. Edition 180 GRAM LP virgin vinyl from the analog master) ; EPIC/CBS/SONY ECPU-10 (Japan);
also issued 1973 as Super Sax Session [Jazz On Epic] - feat. Pony Poindexter, Eric Dolphy, Phil Woods, Dexter Gordon, Pepper Adams, Elvin Jones, Tommy Flanagan, LP EPIC 16035 (F) ;
#A6 & #B4 also on Instrumentalists - Almost Forgotten COLUMBIA FC 38509

PONY POINDEXTER (as, ss); GENE QUILL, SONNY REDD, PHIL WOODS, ERIC DOLPHY (as); DEXTER GORDON, JIMMY HEATH, SAL NISTICO, CLIFFORD JORDAN (ts); BILLY MITCHELL; PEPPER ADAMS (bar-s); GILDO MAHONES, TOMMY FLANAGAN (p); BILL YANCEY, ELVIN JONES (b or dr?), RON CARTER (b); CHARLIE PERSIP (dr); JON HENDRICKS (orig. liner notes); TEO MACERO (prod); DONALD ELFMAN (reissue prod)

Side A
1. Catin' Latin
2. Salt Peanuts
3. Skylark
4. Struttin' With Some Barbecue
5. Blue
6. "B" Frequency

Side B
1. Mickey Mouse March
2. Basin Street Blues
3. Pony's Express
4. Lanyop
5. Artistry In Rhythm

(Poindexter)
(Clarke/Gillespie)
(Carmichael/Mercer)
(Armstrong)
(Mahones)
(Macero)

(Dodd)
(Williams)
(Poindexter)
(Poindexter)
(Kenton)

On soprano, he doesn't sound like Coltrane, Lacy or Bechet - he transfers his approach on alto to the soprano, and the result is electrifying. But mere tremendous sax-playing does not always a great album make - there's lots of platters out there with fine playing that still manage to be uneventful as the last presidential election. Pony's Express is elevated to the level of Rediscovered Classic by virtue of not only the superb playing, but by fresh 'n' mildly startling arrangements of a program of standards that, in less inventive hands, might've instead been Dullsville. The tunes include: ‘Salt Peanuts’, ‘Skylark’, ‘Basin Street Blues’, ‘Struttin' With Some Barbeque’ - yet this is no walk down memory lane. These tunes, as well as originals by Poindexter and producer Teo Macero, are arranged, for the most part, for a large group, yet it's not a "let's get a bop band, but we'll just make it bigger to be different" approach. The passages for saxophones jab and dart at you with the ebullient big-band wallop of arrangers like Neal Hefti and George Russell, and there are bits of rich, creamy ensemble playing that recall Duke Ellington's writing for his reed sections.		The arrangements are not only clever, but clever in a truly inspired manner, without ever sacrificing one iota of fierce swing which, I almost forgot to mention, this session has more than most jazz albums should have (without a prescription), along with a nourishing, unforced general idea of JOY. Back in '62, there was a schism in jazz: the established vs. The New Thing. Yet some players of the Establishment kept their ears and hearts open to the new sounds of the times, and I think that Poindexter was one of them. He gets into some wild, intensely agitated near-free playing on "Lanyop" that Jackie McLean would not approach for at least 2 or 3 more years. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the fast company he was tra- veling in - the band on Pony's Express includes Eric Dolphy, Pepper Adams, Dexter Gor- don, Phil Woods, Elvin Jones, Clifford Jordan and Ron Carter. Everyone here plays at the top of their game - there's no "coasting" and most importantly, NO excess baggage. Make your point, then let the next man testify - and testify with the zeal of Burt Lancaster's Elmer Gantry they do. Boy Howdy! This disc should be mandatory listening in classrooms across America.

		Limbo Rock / Pony Poindexter released: 1962 PRESTIGE PONY POINDEXTER (as, ss); ELLIOT MAZER (prod.)

PRESTIGE JAZZ 45 251

promo issue PRESTIGE JAZZ 45 251

Pony Poindexter Plays The Big Ones
recorded: January 31, 1963 at VGS Englewood Cliffs/New Jersey
issued: 1962 NEW JAZZ NJST-8285
#A1 & #B1 also on 7 inch, PRESTIGE JAZZ 45 251

PONY POINDEXTER (as, ss); GILDO MAHONES (p); GEORGE TUCKER (b); JIMMIE SMITH (dr)

Side A
1. Midnight In Moscow
2. Moon River
3. Twistin' U.S.A.
4. Poinciana

Side B
1. Love Me Tender
2. Green Eyes
3. Fly Me To The Moon
4. San Antonio Rose

(Soloviev/Sedoy)
(Mancini/Mercer)
(Mann)
(Bernier/Simon)

(Matson/Presley)
(Menendez/Rivera/Utrera/Woods)
(Howard)
(Wills)

PRESTIGE 45-272

Review: This record is largely representative of the state of jazz in 1963 - in other words, a picture of a music in stasis. Barring the continuing explosion that was the John Coltrane quartet, jazz as a medium had largely expended its energy. Thus, we get records like this: competent and occasionally inspired readings based on classic blues forms. Music that isn't quite dead, but doesn't break any ground. That being said, the record itself is quite enjoyable, full of bluesy testifying akin to the efforts of Bobby Timmons or any of the serviceable hard bop quartets then storming about New York. A word of note: Booker Ervin is on the record, but those expecting to hear the fierce combative tenor that graces his own records will be disappointed. This is music that defines straight-ahead: never boring, but never quite intriguing either.

Gumbo! / Pony Poindexter With Booker Ervin
recorded: June 1963
issued: 1963 NEW JAZZ NJST-8297 ; NEW JAZZ NJLP-8293 ;
LP PRESTIGE 16001 ; VICJ-23131 ;
#4 & 5 also on 7 inch, PRESTIGE 45-272

PONY POINDEXTER (as, ss); BOOKER ERVIN (ts); AL GREY (tb #1,2,5,6); GILDO MAHONES (p); GEORGE TUCKER (b); JIMMY SMITH (dr)

NEW JAZZ NJST-8297, NJLP-8293 ;
LP PRESTIGE 16001:

1. Creole Girl
2. French Market
3. Gumbo Filet
4. 4-11-44
5. Happy Strut
6. Front O' Town
7. Back O' Town
8. Muddy Dust

VICJ-23131:

Side A
1. Front O' Town
2. Happy Strut
3. Creole Girl (Melphamiene)
4. 4-11-44

Side B
1. Back O' Town
2. Muddy Dust
3. French Market
4. Gumbo Filet

Reviews: The three unifying factors here are the soprano and alto saxophonist (and sometime vocalist) Norwood 'Pony' Poindexter (1926-1988), the wailing Texas tenor saxist Booker Ervin (1930-1970), and copious, previously unreleased 1963 material featuring both. Ervin is a sideman on Poindexter's Gumbo, a tuneful blues suite devoted to and evocative of the sounds, sights, aromas, tastes, people, and spirits of the latter's hometown of New Orleans. This 1963 LP, long unavailable domestically and coveted by collectors, also spotlights Al Grey, long-time star trombonist of the Count Basie Orchestra. The underrated Poindexter is heard additionally as a vocalist on four previously unissued tracks from a 1963 quartet session that produced the album Pony Poindexter Plays the Big Ones, while Ervin reappears on five cuts taken from a never-before-released quartet date led by the forward-looking organist Larry Young (1940-1978) that will surely enhance the discographies of both of these important modernists. Front O' Town, Happy Strut, Creole Girl (aka Melphamiene), 4-11-44, Back O' Town, Muddy Dust, French Market, Gumbo Filet, Moody's Mood For Love, Blue And Sentimental, Wade In The Water, Absotively Posalutely, You Don't Know What Love Is, You Don't Know What Love Is (alternate), Autumn Leaves, Old Folks with Al Grey, Gildo Mahones, George Tucker, Jimmie Smith, Jerry Thomas.
--
Tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin joined alto and soprano saxophonist Pony Poindexter in 1963 on Gumbo, based

around the sights and sounds of Poindexter's birthplace, the Crescent City. Poindexter penned the majority of these compositions, providing them with evocative titles of the city: 'Creole Girl', 'French Market', and 'Gumbo Filet'. Gumbo finds Ervin playing more straightahead than on his exploratory "Book" sessions, which he had begun recording under his name by this time. The rhythm section on the first 12 cuts include Gildo Mahones on piano, George Tucker on bass, and Jimmie Smith on drums, with trombonist Al Grey making an appearance on four tracks. The remaining four tunes tacked on the CD's conclusion were recorded in January and February 1964, featuring the trio of Ervin, Jerry Thomas on drums, and Larry Young's distinctive Hammond organ virtuosity. 'You Don't Know What Love Is' (two takes), 'Autumn Leaves', and 'Old Folks' had remained unreleased until the appearance of this CD in 1999.

Gumbo! / Booker Ervin, Pony Poindexter, Larry Young
recorded: June 1963
issued: PRESTIGE 16001 (8 tracks) ; VICJ-23131 ; 1999 CD PRESTIGE PRCD-24229-2

BOOKER ERVIN (ts); PONY POINDEXTER (as, ss); AL GREY (tb #1,2,5,6); GILDO MAHONES (p); LARRY YOUNG (org); GEORGE TUCKER (b); JIMMIE SMITH, JERRY THOMAS (dr)

1. Front O' Town
2. Happy Strut
3. Creole Girl (aka Melphamiene)
4. 4-11-44
5. Back O' Town
6. Muddy Dust
7. French Market
8. Gumbo Filet
9. Moody's Mood For Love
10. Blue and Sentimental
11. Wade In The Water
12. Absotively Posalutely
13. You Don't Know What Love Is
14. You Don't Know What Love Is [alternate take]
15. Autumn Leaves
16. Old Folks

click images to enlarge

(the other 3 pix are from the MPS issue)

At The 10th German Jazz Festival Frankfurt /
Annie Ross & Pony Poindexter
with the Berlin All Stars featuring Carmell Jones and Leo Wright
recorded: May 1, 1966 live in Frankfurt/Germany
issues: SABA (MPS) SB 15082 ST ; 1966 BASF/MPS CRM 619 ; BASF/MPS 2120619-1 ; re-issues: 1968 POLYDOR 583711 (UK) ; 1993 MPS 521199-2 ; CD POLYDOR 521199-2 ; CD MPS 731452119926 ; 1994 CD/LP TALKIN' LOUD RECORDS 518 861 (UK) ;
October 27, 2003 CD MPS Records (Universal) (Most Perfect Sound Edition Series) ;
#A2 also on Talkin’ Jazz - Themes From The Black Forest Vol. 1 (see below)

ANNIE ROSS (voc #A1, 3, #B1-4)); PONY POINDEXTER (as #B4; ss #A2; voc #A2,3, #B1,3); CARMELL JONES (tp); LEO WRIGHT (as #A3,B1; fl #B4); ANDRÉ CONDOUANT (g); FRITZ PAUER (p); JIMMY WOODE (b); JOE NAY (dr)

Side A
1. Saturday Night Fish Fry
2. All Blues
3. Home Cookin'

Side B
1. Jumpin´ At The Woodside
2. Moody's Mood For Love
3. Goin' To Chicago
4. Twisted

(Louis Jordan / Walsh; *)
(M. Davis / O. Brown ; arr. by P. Poindexter)
(H. Silver / J. Hendricks; *)

(C. Basie / J. Hendricks; *)
(J. Moody / A. Ross; *)
(C. Basie / J. Rushing / J. Hendricks; *)
(W. Gray / A. Ross ; arr. by A. Ross)

* arranged by Leo Wright

for original liner notes see >> andré´s disco 2
For large-sized backcover photos please see the musicians' sites (Leo Wright´s,
Carmell Jones' photo pages) - the two big ones appear in the gallery

Review: Although Annie Ross kind of dropped off the radar screen of most Americans after she dropped out of Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross she still was cutting great music overseas, although not as often as before. This excellent set features her in the company of some great American ex-patriots like Pony Poindexter (a longtime cronie of LHR), Leo Wright, and the great Carmell Jones. The group is extremely tight, and Poindexter's soulful alto and soprano solos make the album worth having, even if you're not a fan of Ross.		She's pretty darn fantastic too, though, and her sweetly swinging vocals are filled with a warmth and maturity that you don't always find on her earlier recordings. The record includes a sublime reading of Miles Davis' 'All Blues', with a stunning solo by Poindexter as well as the tracks 'Home Cookin', 'Moody's Mood For Love', and 'Twisted', done in a nice 7 minute version, much longer than the original. In fantastic shape ? with only a few light dust marks on the vinyl, but in wonderful condition otherwise!

click images to enlarge

The Happy Life Of Pony / Pony Poindexter
Live at the Domicile Munich
recorded: September 1969
issued: 1969 LP SESSION/MPS-SES 12005 ST (Germany) ; 1969 SABA/MPS ;
1970 MPS CRF 848 (Germany) (BASF Sessions)

PONY POINDEXTER (as, voc); JAN HAMMER (p, org); JIRI MRAZ (b); MICHAEL DENNERT (dr); produced by ERNST KNAUFF

Side A
1. It Ain't Nobodys Business
2. The Theme
3. Moodys Mood For Love

Side B
1. Wade In The Water, Children
2. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying
3. Tit-Bit

(Billie Holiday)
(Kenny Dorham)
(James Moody)

(Pony Poindexter)
(Louis Jordan)
(Pony Poindexter)

Pony Poindexter's Spain only recording with local musicians and featuring his own daughter Dina.	click image to enlarge	Pony Poindexter En Barcelona recorded: June 1972 in Barcelona issued: SPIRAL RECORDS LP 011 (Spain) ; re-issue: LP WAH-WAH WBS 002 (Spain) gatefold cover PONY POINDEXTER (as, ss, voc); JOSE MARIA FARRAS (tp); RICARDO SOLIS (tb); DINA POINDEXTER (voc); ERIC PETER (b); ADRIÀ FONT (dr); PEDRITO (perc) Side A 1. Sopa Prisa 2. Talgo 3. Freeze 4. Pretty Lady Side B 1. It Don´t Feel Like It Used To Feel 2. Movin´ On 3. Lucky Duck

click images to enlarge

Pony Poindexter
recorded: March 1978 at Down-Home Productions, San Luis Obispo
issued: LP INNER CITY IC 1062

PONY POINDEXTER (as, voc, prod); NEAL KIRKWOOD (p); ART WASHINGTON (b); RICHIE GOLDBERG (dr); JOHN HOWARD (prod)

Side A
1. Pretty Lady
2. Song For D.
3. Moody´s Mood For Love

Side B
1. Candy Pants
2. Spanish Fly
3. School Days

(Pony Poindexter)
(Pony Poindexter)
(Fields/McHugh/Jefferson)

(Pony Poindexter)
(Pony Poindexter)
(public domain)

Review: From 1993, this is the killer UK Beat Goes Public/BGP (i.e. the Acid Jazz crew label of Giles, Baz & Russ) CD reissue of TWO great 1963 Prestige LP’s by saxophonist Pony Poindexter; The first, 'Pony Poindexter Plays The Big Ones', is a tight quartet session with Pony showing off some flowing lines & bop chops (on both alto & soprano saxes) with the fine support of pianist Gildo Mahones, bassist George Tucker and drummer Jimmie Smith, while the second long player, 'Gumbo!', adds a sweet New Orleans flavor to the already sweet bop swing with the Mahones Trio along with trombonist Al Grey and tenor titan Booker Ervin; 16 tracks including fine takes on 'Poinciana', 'Green Eyes', 'Midnight In Moscow” (from 'Plays The Big Ones'), the sultry groovers 'Front O’ Town', 'Creole Girl', 'Gumbo Filet' (from 'Gumbo!') and much more.

Pony Poindexter Plays The Big Ones - Gumbo!
2 LP´s on 1 CD, both recorded in 1963
issued: 1993 CD BGP* 077 (UK) (stereo) ; CD BGP D 082 ; CD ACD 6852885

PONY POINDEXTER (as, ss); AL GREY (tb); BOOKER ERVIN (ts); GILDO MAHONES (p); GEORGE TUCKER (b); JIMMIE SMITH (dr)

Plays The Big Ones:
1. Love Me Tender
2. Twistin' U.S.A.
3. Moon River
4. Poinciana
5. San Antonio Rose
6. Midnight In Moscow
7. Green Eyes
8. Fly Me To The Moon
Gumbo:
9. Front O'Town
10. Happy Strut
11. Creole Girl
12. 4-11-44
13. Back O'Town
14. Muddy Dust
15. French Market
16. Gumbo Filet

(Matson/Presley)
(Mann)
(Mancini/Mercer)
(Bernier/Simon)
(Wills)
(Soloviev/Sedoy)
(Menendez/Rivera/Utrera/Woods)
(Howard)

* BEAT GOES PUBLIC (licensed from PRESTIGE/FANTASY)

biography I discography 1 2 3 4