George Masso

George Masso
George Masso (left) and Ricky Woodard
George Masso (left) and Ricky Woodard
Background information
Born(1926-11-17)November 17, 1926
Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S.
DiedOctober 22, 2019(2019-10-22) (aged 92)
GenresJazz
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Trombone, vibraphone
LabelsSackville, Arbors, Nagel-Heyer

George Masso (November 17, 1926 – October 22, 2019)[1] was an American jazz trombonist, bandleader, vibraphonist, and composer specializing in swing and Dixieland. Masso is notable for his work from 1948 to 1950 as a member of the Jimmy Dorsey band.[2]

Masso was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, United States.[3] Masso began learning to play the trumpet, but expanded his diversity by becoming competent on other instruments.[3] He was further inspired by hearing Lou McGarity playing trombone on Benny Goodman's recording of "Yours". Masso secured a two-year spell in the late 1940s in Jimmy Dorsey's band, before finding the life of a professional jazz musician financially difficult, and Masso quit performing. He became a music teacher.[3]

He returned to music in 1973 and performed with Bobby Hackett and Goodman.[3] In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he recorded with Barbara Lea, Bob Haggart, and Yank Lawson.[1]

Discography

As leader

  • Choice N.Y.C. Bone (Famous Door, 1979)
  • A Swinging Case of Masso-Ism (Famous Door, 1981)
  • Dialogue at Condon's with Al Klink (World Jazz, 1981)
  • Pieces of Eight (Dreamstreet, 1982)
  • No Frills, Just Music (Famous Door, 1984)
  • Just for a Thrill (Sackville, 1990)
  • Play Arlen with Spike Robinson (Hep, 1992)
  • Let's Be Buddies with Dan Barrett (Arbors, 1994)
  • That Old Gang of Mine (Arbors, 1997)
  • Just Friends with Ken Peplowski (Nagel Heyer, 2002)

As sideman

With World's Greatest Jazz Band of Yank Lawson & Bob Haggart

  • Plays Cole Porter (World Jazz, 1975)
  • Plays Duke Ellington (World Jazz, 1976)
  • Plays George Gershwin (World Jazz, 1977)
  • On Tour Vol 1 and 2 (World Jazz, 1977)

With others

References

  1. ^ a b Bebco, John. "Trombonist George Masso has died at age 92". Syncopatedtimes.com. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  2. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Biography: George Masso". AllMusic. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 278/9. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.