Tubby Hayes (ts, vib, fl) Ronnie Scott (ts) Terry Shannon (p) Kenny Napper (b) Phil Seamen (drs)

Recorded in London, England; June 26 and July 3, 1959

SIDE 1

1. If This Isn’t Love (5:45) (Harburg – Lane)

2. Easy to Love (2:45) (Cole Porter)

3. Whisper Not (3:07) (Benny Golson)

4. Autumn Leaves (4:30) (Mercer – Kosma Pervert)

SIDE 2

1. Too Close for Comfort (5:30) (Weiss – Bock – Holofener)

2. Yesterdays (7:23) (Harburg – Kern)

3. Love Walked In (3:45) (I & G Gershwin)

(front cover)

Notice

　　　The message from Britain is that everything is rally swinging on an American-style plan – particularly when tenor stars Hayes and Scott are playing jazz that’s as exciting and full-blowing as you could hope to hear anywhere in the world.

(back cover)

About This NEW Jazzland Recording –

　　　In April of 1957, tow formidable British tenor men teamed up to form a group which they called “The Jazz Couriers.” During more than two and a half years together, the Couriers developed into an extremely close-knit unit, winning considerable acclaim in England and Europe. British jazz critic Tony Hall, although some of his enthusiasm might perhaps have stemmed from the fact that he was recording the group, is much too sound and respected an observer of his local jazz scene to make unsupportable statements; yet he went so far as to call this “the best band there has ever been since the advent of modern jazz in Britain” – and the evidence of this album clearly shows that he was not putting himself out on a limb.

　　　The two men whose signatures this “Message from Britain” bears are TUBBY HAYES – only 24 when this LP was recorded, but almost universally highly approved by American musicians who have visited Britain; and RONNIE SCOTT – nine years older and considered one of the important pioneers of modern jazz in England. This album was the final effort by their joint group; it serves to show how much and how well these men have learned from America. Hayes, for example, has pointed out this debt to such as Sonny Rollins and Johnny Griffin; the influence is definite, but not at al inhibiting.

　　　Edward Brian Hayes was born in London in 1935; encouraged by his musician father, he took up the violin at he age of eight, switched to tenor sax four years later, and at 16 began four years with various name bands, including those of Ambrose, Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell. In 1955 he formed his own octet. The following year, spurred on by his friend and fellow-countryman Victor Feldman (now an integral part of Cannonball Adderley’s famous quintet), he took up the vibes. He is heard on this instrument on Autumn Leaves and on Benny Golson’s Whisper Not (the only on-standard tune on the album). Tubby further proves his versatility by making his recorded debut on flute on Yesterdays; and he is also to be credited as arranger of all seven selections.

　　　Ronnie Scott is also a Londoner, born there in 1927. He also has a big-band background, having played with Ted Heath and Jack Parnell among others. IN ’52 he left Parnell to form the first of his own groups. He toured the United States in ’55, and most recently has been operating his own jazzclub in London. As the first British modern jazz tenorman to make a national name for himself at home, he has exerted a strong influence on younger musicians.

Recent JAZZLAND releases include:

　　The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon – JLP 29 & Stereo 929S

　　The Soulful Piano of Junior Mance – JLP 30 & Stereo 930S

　　Tough Tenors – Johnny Griffin and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis Quintet – JLP 31 & Stereo 931S

　　Eastward Ho! – Harold Land, with Kenny Dorham – JLP 33 & Stereo 933S

　　Breezing – Sonny Red, with Blue Mitchell, Yusef Lateef, Barry Harris – JLP 32 & Stereo 932S