DISCOGRAPHY
As A Soloist/Leader:
Alone Together – Jazzed Media – JM9002 (2007) – A two-disc DVD & CD set recorded live Nov. 5, 2006, once again featuring Marvin Stamm’s working quartet – Marvin, trumpet & flugel; Bill Mays, piano; Rufus Reid, bass; Ed Soph, drums. After a recent concert, a gentleman came up to me and said, “You guys actually play like a group! You don’t just sound like four individual players – you really play together!” Simply put, this is the key to what we – Bill, Rufus,Ed, and I – do. It is one of the key elements that make this quartet so special.
The Stamm/Soph Project – Live at Birdland – Jazzed Media – JM1006 (2003) – Produced with drummer Ed Soph, “Live at Birdland” showcases Marvin Stamm’s working quartet – Stamm and Soph with long-time band mates, pianist Bill Mays and bassist Rufus Reid, with special guest guitarist John Abercrombie. Stamm says, “Working with these musicians as a group – Ed, Bill, and Rufus – always produces very special moments. None of us takes these events for granted or looks upon them as just another gig. Each of us really comes to play!”
By Ourselves – Marstam #01 (2000) – a duo CD documenting my long-time collaboration with pianist Bill Mays, featuring eleven tracks among which are Beautiful Love, You And The Night And The Music, Airegin, and Dizzy Gillespie’s beautiful Con Alma.
The Stamm/Soph Project – Marstam #02 (2000) – a quartet CD created with drummer Ed Soph that features bassist Rufus Reid and pianist Bill Mays; saxophonist Dave Liebman also guests on three tracks. This disk contains ten compositions including Thad Jones’ classic, Three and One, Miles Davis’ beautiful masterwork, Nardis, and Clifford Brown’s eternal Joy Spring.
Elegance – TNC Jazz – CD-1711 (2001) – This quartet CD was released in November 2001 on the Troppe Note/Cambria label and features, along with Stamm, the marvelous young pianist from Sweden, Stefan Karlsson, bassist Tom Warrington, and drummer Elliot Zigmund.
Mystery Man – MusicMasters (1993) – featuring Bob Mintzer & Bob Malach, saxes; Terry Clarke, drums; Mike Richmond, bass; Bill Charlap; piano
Bop Boy – MusicMasters (1991) – featuring Bob Mintzer, tenor sax; Terry Clarke, drums; Phil Markowitz, piano; Lincoln Goines, bass
Stammpede – Working with my friend and collaborator composer/arranger Jack Cortner for Herb Wong’s now defunct label – (unavailable) Palo Alto, (1982)
Machinations – First recording as a leader, featuring the compositions and arrangements of the late John Carisi – Verve (1968)
With The Inventions Trio:
Bill Mays, piano; Marvin Stamm, trumpet and flugelhorn; Alisa Horn, cello
Fantasy – Palmetto- PM2128 (2007) – The Inventions Trio is a comprised of an unusual instrumentation – trumpet (and flugel), piano, and cello. Mays and Stamm, who have performed and recorded together so many times, are joined by the talented cellist, Alisa Horn. “I have known Alisa since she was a young child, and it was exciting for me to introduce Alisa to Bill, to encourage their musical relationship, and then observe her joining us as a performing and touring ensemble.” The music Bill Mays has written for this CD, Fantasy, is built upon lovely classical melodies that provide beautiful thematic material for the ensemble and wonderful settings for our improvisations. His original composition, “Fantasy for Cello, Trumpet and Piano,” is a great example of modern writing, combining classical compsition and Jazz exploration. The Inventions Trio truly embodies the melding of these two genrés.
Delaware River Suite – No Blooze Music (2008) – This second release by The Inventions Trio features Bill Mays’ new extended work, “The Delaware River Suite,” plus five new Mays arrangements that include Villa-Lobos’ “Bachianas Brasilieras #5,” the Miles Davis and Bud Powell classics “Sippin’ at Bells/Dance of the Infidels,” Jobim’s “Zingaro,” Django Reinhardt’s “Nuages,” and my composition, “Charlotte Delights.”
Life’s A Movie – Chiarascuro 400 (2012) – A third CD by the Inventions Trio again features a new extended work by Bill Mays, “Life’s A Movie.” The project also includes two compilations featuring the music of Bill Evans and Thelonius Monk plus an arrangement combining Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez” with Chick Corea’s “Spain.”
With Dena DeRose:
The Nearness of Two – Marvin Stamm and Dena DeRose – Live at the Ancona Jazz Festival, Italy – GoFour Music – Gofour 1006 (2008) This duo concert, exhibiting the talents of trumpeter Marvin Stamm and pianist/singer Dena DeRose, was performed and recorded at the opening of the Ancona, Jazz Festival on July 14, 2006. The recording came about just by happenstance. Neither Dena DeRose nor Marvin Stamm were aware at the time that an archival recording was being made of their performance, and the fact that its quality was so good was a surprise to everyone. The joy of their music making will be obvious to all who hear this recording.
With Jack Cortner’s NY Big Band:
Fast Track – Jack Cortner’s NY Big Band – JazzedMedia JM-1023 (2006) – Jack Cortner has, after many years of being one of the busiest arranger/composers in New York City, released his first CD. Jack has written a beautiful album and is, in my opinion, one of the best orchestrators in the world. His writing is sleek, never heavy, and the band swings like crazy! I am sure you will be taken by the music on this CD and the marvelous playing by this great big band of New York’s finest. While I am the prominently featured soloist throughout, there is also great solo playing by pianist Bill Mays, saxophonist Dave Tofani, trombonist Jim Pugh, and drummer John Riley.
Sound Check – Jack Cortner’s NY Big Band – JazzedMedia JM-1046 (2009) – Jazzed Media has released Jack Cortner’s second big band CD, Sound Check. Jack’s arrangements are, of course, the centerpiece, and I was once again the featured artist along with pianist Bill Mays, trombonist Jim Pugh, saxophonists Jon Gordon and Dave Tofani, and drummer John Riley. Sound Check was recorded at Clinton Studios in New York City with the same great New York band that played so brilliantly on Fast Track. Everyone gave their all, and the results speak for themselves. I believe Sound Check to be even more exciting than was Fast Track – and that’s saying something! Listen to the CD and judge for yourself.
As A Sideman/Soloist (Partial List):
Balancing Act – Mike Holober, Palmetto, 2014
Porquois Pas? – George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, TCB, 2008
Tail of the Tiger – George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, TCB, 2006
Big Band Reflections of Cole Porter – Jack Cooper – Jazz Orchestra of the Delta – Summit Records, 2003
Sing, Sing, Sing – The New York Voices – Concord, 2001
Global Excellence – George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, TCB, 2001
Expo Triangle – George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, TCB, 2000
Beautiful Love – The Jerry Ascione Big Band – SeaBreeze, 1999
Merryteria – George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, TCB, 1998
Liebermann – “Live at the Berlin Jazz Festival” – George Gruntz-Concert Jazz Band, TCB, 1998
Big Band Trane – Bob Mintzer Band – DMP, 1996
Mays In Manhattan – Bill Mays – Concord, 1996
3 A.M. – Rich Shemaria – Amosaya, 1995
Only in N. Y. – Bob Mintzer Band – DMP, 1994
Bring Back Romance – Anne Hampton Callaway – DRG, 1994
Black, Brown, and Beige Suite – Louis Bellson – MusicMasters, 1993
Departure – Bob Mintzer Band – DMP, 1992
Music of Jimmy Lunceford – The American Jazz Orchestra – MusicMasters, 1992
Instructions Inside – Vince Mendoza – Manhattan, 1991
Blues ‘n Dues Et Cetera – George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, Enja, 1991
Peaceful Thunder – Louis Bellson Quintet – MusicMasters, 1991
Air Mail Special – Louis Bellson – MusicMasters, 1990
Art of the Big Band – Bob Mintzer Band – DMP, 1990
First Prize – George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band – Enja, 1989
Ellington Masterpieces – John Lewis and the American Jazz Orch. – East/West Records, 1989
Urban Contours – Bob Mintzer Band – DMP, 1989
My Romance (Solo on Wee Small Hours) – Carly Simon – Arista, 1989
Vince Mendoza – Vince Mendoza – Fun House, 1989
Spectrum – Bob Mintzer Band – DMP, 1988
Central City Scketches – Benny Carter and the American Jazz Orchestra – MusicMasters, 1987
Camouflage – Bob Mintzer Band – DMP, 1987
Happening Now – George Gruntz Concert Band- Hat Art, 1987
10th Avenue – Patrick Williams – Soundwings, 1986
Incredible Journey – Bob Mintzer Band – DMP, 1985
Papa Lips – Bob Mintzer Band – CBS/Sony, 1983
Symbiosis – Bill Evans – Pausa, 1974
Threshold – Patrick Williams – Capitol, 1973
Extension of a Man – Donny Hathaway – Atlantic, 1973
Consummation – Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orch. – Blue Note, 1971
Ram (solo on Uncle Albert and Admiral Halsey) – Paul McCartney – Apple, 1970
Friends and Love Concert – Chuck Mangione – GRC, 1970
Walking in Space – Quincy Jones – A & M, 1969
Kennedy Memorial Album – Oliver Nelson – Verve, 1968
Introducing the Duke Pearson Big Band – Blue Note, 1968
America the Beautiful – Gary McFarland – Skye, 1968
Manhattan Fever – Frank Foster – Blue Note, 1968
Road Song – Wes Montgomery – A & M, 1968
Live at The Village Vanguard – Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orch. – Solid State, 1967
Jazzhattan Suite – Oliver Nelson – Verve, 1967
Portrait of an Artist – Charlie Mariano – Regina, 1963
Adventures in Blues – Stan Kenton Orch. – Capitol, 1962
Adventures in Time – Stan Kenton Orch. – Capitol, 1962
Adventures in Jazz – Stan Kenton Orch. – Capitol, 1961