Top Picks
Howard Roberts Quartet
H.R. Is a Dirty Guitar Player, Euphoria. Comprises 2 complete Capitol recordings, Color Him Funky and H.R. Is a Dirty Guitar Player, with either Paul Bryant or Burkley Kendrix, organ; Chuck Berghofer, bass; Earl Palmer, drums
The Real Howard Roberts, Concord. Ross Tompkins, piano; Ray Brown, bass
Howard Roberts Quintet
Good Pickin’s, Verve. Pete Jolly, piano; Red Mitchell, bass; Stan Levey, drums
Spinning Wheel, Capitol. Tom Scott, saxophones, flute; Dave Grusin, piano; Chuck Domanico, bass; John Guerin, drums
Superior
Howard Roberts: Mr. Roberts Plays Guitar, Verve. In various ensemble settings with a variety of instrumentation
John Graas
Jazz Studio Two, Decca. Herb Geller, alto sax; Don Fagerquist, trumpet; Milt Bernhart, trombone; Curtis Counce, bass; Larry Bunker, drums
Jazz Studio Three, Decca. Gerry Mulligan, bari sax; Conte Candoli, trumpet; Andre Previn, piano; Red Mitchell, bass; Larry Bunker, drums
Julie London: Julie Is Her Name, Vols. 1-2, EMI America. Roberts appears on Vol. 2 with Red Mitchell, bass. Vol. 1 features Barney Kessel, an important guitarist historically, which results in an intriguing contrast of guitar styles.
Frank Morgan Septet: Frank Morgan, GNP. Wardell Gray, tenor sax; Conte Candoli, trumpet; Carl Perkins, piano; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Larance Marable, drums; great group, but it can be heard on only a portion of this varied CD.
Excellent
Howard Roberts: Magic Band, Vol. 2, VSOP. Pete Christlieb, Tom Scott, John Gross, tenor sax, each on selected tracks; Dave Grusin, piano; Chuck Berghofer, bass; John Guerin, drums