ROCKEY, LEE - Jazz Drummer Extraordinaire

" Side one Recorded at various NYC locations including Lees EXTRAORDINAIRE Apartment 1952-1955 . \r\n Side two Mostly Recorded at the Way Out Club Portland Oregon\r\n May 16 1961\r\n Final EQing and Album Concept by Ju Suk Reet Meate \r\n February 2013\r\n \r\n\r\n One of the most unique and unsung Artists in Portland history, \r\n Lee Rockey was born in Vancouver Wa. 1926 and from 1942 untill \r\n 1965 or so was the most modern and best "Jazz Drummer" in the area.\r\n One of the" Vancouver Whiz Kids" he wore a Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat\r\n and still spoke "Jive" when I met him in 1976. After playing all types of Gigs in Portland including sitting in for touring R&B acts such as The Treniers, he Moved to NYC in 1952 ,and was hired by Neil Hefty (who had just revitalized Count Basies Career with his great arrangements and written his last big hit Little Darlin ) for his first big band. Later he was in the studio for Herbie Manns debut 10" in 1955. Also on this album\r\n are Homemade Tapes with his friend Pianist and vocalist Ed Beach Jamming \r\n and being silly in there apartment in NYC.\r\n Moving back to Portland Lee was the go-to Drummer for the most ambitious Jazz Musicians including Jim Smiths "The Way Out Band" 1961-63\r\n featuring amazing arrangements by Bill and Ernie Hood and others. WARNING: This Album contains Serious High Class music originally intended for Adults of the Mid 20th Century." - Pigface.