Joyce Collins (p) Roy Green (b) Frank Butler (drs)

Recorded in Los Angeles; June 1 and 2, 1960

SIDE 1

1. I Let A Song Out of My Heart (3:30) (Ellington-Nemo-Mills)

2. Just in Time (3:57) (Comden-Green-Styne)

3. Walkin’ (4:45)(Richard Carpenter)

4. I Get Along Without You Very Well (2:59) (Hoagy Carmichael)

5. The End of A Love Affair (4:10) (Edward Redding)

SIDE 2

1. Day In, Day Out (3:40) (Turk-Albert)

2. Something’s Gotta Give (5:08) (Johnny Mercer)

3. Ah, Moore (3:58) (Al Cohn)

4. Blue Jay (5:12) (Joyce Collins)

About this NEW Jazzland Recording –

　　　It is unfortunately customary to put a hex on any female musician by describing her in some such well-meaning but ruinous phrase as: “She plays good, for a girl.” So let’s one thing straight right form the start. JOYCE COLLINS plays good-and for that matter, much better than “good”, for anybody!

　　　And particularly if “for a girl” makes you think of lacy, cocktail-lounge piano – forget it! Or better still, take a listen to the firm, usually tough, often highly soulful way Joyce plunges into a tune like Walkin’ or Ellington’s I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart or Day In, day Out. That should convince everyone of the lady’s credentials, and if anything further is needed, take note of the musicians who provide her with such swinging and sympathetic support. Frank Butler is a highly regarded young drummer who has worked with Thelonious Monk and Harold Land; the veteran bassist who on this occasion goes under the name of Roy Green is very possibly the best of them all; neither man is apt to lend his presence t an album featuring anything less than a first-rate artist.

　　　A Westerner by birth and by playing experience, Joyce was born in Nevada barely thirty years ago, and taught herself jazz piano at an early age by the sound procedure of copying Fats Waller and Teddy Wilson records. She began playing professionally in high school in Reno, then enrolled at the College of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Dave Brubeck heard her at that time, offered her encouragement and advised her to work and study In San Francisco. She did just that, studying privately and gaining much playing and writing experience with the dance band of San Francisco State College. On moving back to Los Angeles, she worked with Alvino Rey, and then at Te lighthouse with Bob Cooper’s quartet. More recently, Joyce has led her own trio in clubs in L.A., Palm Springs and Las Vegas, and in the summer of 1960, just after making this album, she worked in London and Paris.

　　　Joyce points to Erroll Garner and Bud Powell as early influences, notes that she still likes to listen to those Fats Waller records, appreciates a great many current pianists – but is definite in her opinion that “Oscar Peterson is really the Pres.” And with her debut on this Jazzland LP, Joyce Collins (who looks about as good as she plays) take a big first stride towards a place in the company of top-rank pianists – and we didn’t say girl pianist.

Recent JAZZLAND releases include:

　　The Fourth Herd – Woody Herman Orchestra, with Nat Adderley – JLP17 & Stereo 917S

　　West Coast Blues – Harold Land, with Wes Montgomery – JLP 20 & Stereo 920S

　　Blue Vibes – Johnny Lytle Trio – JLP 22 & Stereo 922S

　　Takin’ Care of Business – Charlie Rouse, with Blue Mitchell – JLP 19 & Stereo 919S

　　Blue Jubilee – Joe Alexander, with Bobby Timmons – JLP 23 & Stereo 923S