Five of their best: Freddy Logan
Following our feature article on Dutch/English jazz bassist Freddy Logan, we thought we’d round up some of the music he recorded during his long career. Starting in the 1950s in the Netherlands, before he moved to Australia to form two of the best Australian jazz groups of the time, and finally his later years in 60s England. Freddy had an incredibly successful career, but sadly he’s no longer with us.
Read more about the life of Freddy Logan in our feature, and scroll down to hear five of our favourites from a decade of international jazz.
Pia Beck Trio — I Told Ya I Love Ya, Now Get out! (1950)
One of Freddy’s earliest recording sessions, here he accompanies Pia Beck from a session recorded September 28, 1950. Dutch born, Freddy was an original member of the Pia Beck Trio who formed the year prior. Pia Beck toured the England with her trio, and released two albums in 1955 collecting several earlier recordings. By the time those LPs came out, Freddy had already left the trio and was back in England, with his next stop to be Australia.
The Music Maker 1957 All Stars — Ockeration (1957)
A good example of where Australian Jazz was heading in 1957. If you can track down a copy of History Of Jazz In Australia, a 2CD compilation of Australian jazz from 1925–1989, you’ll hear how even through the 1960s the sound of jazz in Australia was still stuck in the past. This track is one of many exceptions, as it shows a shift towards a more modern sound which was already being heard abroad.
The Music Maker All Stars were formed from musicians voted the best in Australia in a Music Maker magazine poll. They were given a recording session and put out one album, which unfortunately is unavailable digitally bar this one song.
Australian All Stars — Sky Lounge Blues (1960)
Just two years later, Australian jazz was finding its place, and the Australian All Stars had two very successful albums, and a tv show at one point. Made up with many of the same members as the 1957 All Stars, the Australian All Stars had their two 1960 albums issued overseas, where their titles Jazz for Beach-Niks volumes 1 & 2 changed to Jazz for Surf-Niks. These are available on streaming services under both titles thanks to a 2013 remaster.
The Three Out — Move (1961)
Freddy left the Australian All Stars to form this new group after hearing Mike Nock and Chris Karan. Unfortunately they only released two albums together before Mike’s ambition to be in the US broke them up, but while they lasted The Three Out were the most popular jazz group in Australia.
Their first album Move features the trio, but the follow up Sittin’ In includes several others like Don Burrows who had played with Freddy in the Australian All Stars. Notably Move features a recording of Freshwater, which was also included on Jazz For Beach-niks Volume 2 that same year, played by The Australian All Stars. The Three Out version is better in my opinion thanks to Mike Nock’s piano playing, and it feels more intimate as a trio piece.
The Tubby Hayes Quintet — Modes and Blues (1964)
Recorded live at Ronny Scott’s on 8th February 1964, Modes and Blues begins with Freddy Logan playing solo, before the rest of the band come in. Another version of the song recorded in January appeared on the compilation Without A Song: Rare Live Recordings 1954–73, but the February version is much longer, taking up both sides of its vinyl release.
It’s in the final six minutes that Freddy gets his time to shine, alongside Allan Ganley on drums. It’s a great ending to an extended session, and when the rest of the band come back in it’s a fitting end to a fantastic recording from nearly 50 years ago.
