The Lighthouse All-Stars

Bassist Howard Rumsey initiated a jazz plan in the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Seaside, CA, in 1949. His Lighthouse All-Stars performed on the nightly basis and on Sundays, there is typically a 12-hour jam program. The Modern label documented Rumsey’s organizations on a reasonably regular basis during 1952-1957 and such main players as Shorty Rogers, Maynard Ferguson, Rolf Ericson, Stu Williamson, Conte Candoli, Milt Bernhart, Bob Enevoldsen, Frank Rosolino, Jimmy Giuffre, Bob Cooper, Bud Shank, Hampton Hawes, Marty Paich, Claude Williamson, Sonny Clark, Shelly Manne, Utmost Roach, Stan Levey, and guests Kilometers Davis and Chet Baker had been among the individuals. The music was essentially bebop with some cooler-toned shows, particularly the types starring Cooper on oboe or British horn and Shank on flute. The Lighthouse All-Stars just produced one record after 1957 (an outing for Philips during 1961-1962) before moving into history. Within the 1980s, the group was revived for a few appearances and additional Contemporary recordings; the final version presented Shorty Rogers, Cooper (after Coop’s loss of life Jack Nimitz got his place), Shank, Expenses Perkins, Pete Jolly, Monty Budwig, and Larance Marable.