Canadian All Stars - ST

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Hello Young Lovers	03:08
	2	Taking a Chance on Love	03:06

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	Billy Boy
	2	The Things We Did Last Summer	02:32

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Information/Write-up

For the past few years, Jazz, America’s contribution to the arts, has been re-entering the United States via Swedish, British, German and French interpretations very much in the American idiom. It led me to wonder, “Why nothing from Canada”; a country certainly geographically closer and in many ways culturally closer to us than those of the other hemisphere. True, there have been individual musicians of import but no combo or band truly representative of Canada. Then from Montreal, Quebec came the CANADIAN ALL STARS, a co-operative quintet with a new sound and a distinct personality of its own.

Jazz fans are usually wary of the appellation All Stars because of its rather loose usage by record companies. Here is one group that bears its title deservedly. Each member topped his division in the Canadian Broadcasting Company’s All-Star poll in 1953.

Clarinet — Al Baculis was born in Lachine, Quebec, 1930. He started playing clarinet at the age of 13, turning professional at 16. He has worked with all of the best Canadian combos. His studies include 5 years at the McGill Conservatory and his main interests and ambitions lie in the direction of arranging. Arranged HELLO YOUNG LOVERS, wrote SOME FOLKS DO, WINNIPEGOSIS.

Accordion — Gordie Fleming was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1931. He began on accordion at the age of 4. Later he worked professionally at the Beacon Vaudeville House in Winnipeg. Recently he toured Europe with several other Montreal musicians. Won Canadian Broadcasting Company’s poll in 1952 as well as 1953. His sound, execution and especially conception, mark him as the top modern jazzman on his instrument.

Piano — Yvan Landry is a native of Montreal born in 1931. He started on the piano at 12, and learned vibes at 21. He now divides time between the two. Yvan has done radio and TV work and is best known in Canada with the Three Keys.

Bass — Hal Gaylor is another Montrealer, born in 1929. He started on clarinet at 10 but at 19 changed to bass. Like Fleming he has won the Canadian Broadcasting Company’s poll for the past two years.

Drums — Billy Graham was born in Winnipeg in 1929. He started on drums at 12 but gave it up after two months. Returned to his drums at 16. Billy, completely self-taught, is always in demand in Montreal and has accompanied Hazel Scott and the Delta Rhythm Boys.

The Canadian All-Stars have appeared at many jazz concerts in Montreal and soon will be appearing in top jazz spots in the United States.
-IRA GITLER

Al Baculis: clarinet
Gordie Fleming: accordion
Yvan Landry: piano
Hal Gaylor: bass
Billy Graham: drums

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