Artist: Jazz At The Philharmonic
Author: Entaoin
Label: Stinson
Year: 1944

Excitement personified; with tenor saxes Illinois Jacquet & Jack McVea (two years before his hit Open The Door, Richard), J.J. Johnson (trombone), Nat King Cole (piano), Les Paul (guitar), Lee Young (Lester's younger brother, drums). B-side of Blues, Part 1. On side two, squealing Jacquet and chasing Cole & Paul steal the show. Band is named after the Philharmonic Auditorium in L.A., were Norman Grantz organized Sunday afternoon jams with these guys (who at that time had nothing better to do). This debut concert was recorded live. Public enthusiasm caused front row damage and a ban for the future. So the band went on tour, keeping the name JATP. Only then Grantz considered starting his own labels: Clef, Norgran and of course Verve. And so the whole Verve catalogue materialized after this meeting of the spirits.