Phil Sunkel, cornet and trumpet player, was born in 1925 in Zanesville, Ohio. He played with the Claude Thornhill, Charlie Barnet, Stan Getz, Sauter-Finegan, Gerry Mulligan, Gil Evans and Tito Rodriguez bands. Leaving his role as a soloist aside, Phil mainly stood out as an arranger and composer of talent, being these recordings his most celebrated works and the only ones he did as a leader.
“MY idea of a jazzband,” he said “is something between a small combo and a big band incorporating the good features of both. Here we have the flexibility of a small group which allows the soloist a maximum of freedom, plus the color and drama produced by the different ensemble sounds.”
The further possibilities of using a three voice group superimposed on a similarly conceived orchestral backdrop originated Sunkel’s most ambitious and outstanding work: Jazz Concerto Grosso.
Phil Sunkel's Band:
Featuring Phil Sunkel (tp, cornet), Al Stewart, Siggy Shatz, Nick Travis, Don Stratton (tp), Gene Hessler, Frank Rehak (tb), Bob Brookmeyer (vtb), Eddie Bert (btb), Dick Meldonian (as), Buddy Arnold, Cliff Hoff, Bill Slapin (ts), Gene Allen, Gerry Mulligan (bs) etc.
13 Tracks. Personnel and dates:
#1-10: Phil Sunkel, Al Stewart, Siggy Shatz, trumpets; Gene Hessler, trombone; Dick Meldonian, alto sax; Buddy Arnold, tenor sax; Gene Allen, baritone sax; George Syran, piano; Bob Petersen, bass; Harold Granowsky, drums.
New York City, May 13 & 29, and June 14, 1956
#11-12: Phil Sunkel, cornet; John Wilson, fluegelhorn; Bob Brookmeyer, valve trombone; Jim Reider, tenor sax; Gerry Mulligan, baritone sax; Wendell Marshal, bass; Harold Granowsky, drums.
New York, October 15, 1957
#13: Phil Sunkel, cornet; Nick Travis, Al Stewart, Don Stratton, John Wilson, trumpets; Frank Rehak, trombone; Bob Brookmeyer, valve trombone; Eddie Bert, bass trombone; Don Butterfield, tuba; Dick Meldonian, alto sax; Cliff Hoff, Bill Slapin, tenor saxes; Gerry Mulligan, Gene Allen, baritone saxes; Milt Hinton, bass; Osie Johnson, drums.
New York, October 14, 1957