All of Bennie Green’s Blue Note records were rich with joyously swinging blues and bop, highlighted by his warm, friendly tone and good humor. Walkin’ & Talkin’, his third record for the label, was no exception to the rule. Leading a quintet that features tenor saxophonist Eddy Williams, pianist…
Soul Stirrin’ is an invigorating, exciting date from trombonist Bennie Green, showcasing his wide range of skills. His tone is alternately boisterous and reflective — the juxtaposition of the wildly swinging “We Wanna Cook” (complete with shouted vocals) and the gentle “That’s All” is startling, demonstrating that Green can…
It’s evident from the opening pair of Latin-flavored performances that Back on the Scene is one of Bennie Green’s most diverse efforts. Green’s warm, supple tone and fondness for swinging, bop-influenced mainstream jazz and jump blues hasn’t disappeared; he’s just found new facets in his style. The infectious Latin…
The Scene Changes: The Amazing Bud Powell (Vol. 5), also known as The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 5: The Scene Changes, is a studio album by jazz pianist Bud Powell, released onBlue Note Records in 1959, featuring a session Powell recorded at the Rudy Van Gelder Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey on December 28, 1958, with Paul Chambers on…
One of two albums recorded on the set of the movie Round Midnight, The Other Side of Round Midnight features tenor-saxophonist Dexter Gordon (the star of the film) in a minor role, playing on just four of the nine numbers. However, the performances also feature Wayne Shorter on tenor…
When he expatriated to Scandinavia just before this session in Paris was recorded, Dexter Gordon said he was liberated in many ways, as a jazz musician and as a human being. This is reflected in the lengthy track on this album, a testament to that newly found freedom, addressing…
This 1963 date is titled for Dexter Gordon’s living in self-imposed Parisian exile and recording there with two other exptriates and a French native. Along with Gordon, pianist Bud Powell and Kenny “Klook” Clarke were living in the City of Lights and were joined by the brilliant French bassman…
Although tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon had moved to Europe in 1962, he made a return visit to the U.S. in 1965 that resulted in both this album and Gettin’ Around. Gordon teams up with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, pianist Barry Harris, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Billy Higgins for three…
Horace Parlan‘s debut album for Blue Note, Movin’ and Groovin’, is a thoroughly impressive affair, establishing Parlan as a distinctive hard bop stylist. Working with bassist Sam Jones and drummer Al Harewood, Parlan steals the show, playing hard-driving, bluesy bop and lyrical ballads. If it weren’t for the inventive chord voicings and percussive right-hand attack, it would…
Horace Parlan had a gift for relaxed, swinging hard bop which placed his piano in a central, yet unassuming role. Speakin’ My Piece is one of the first albums to find Parlan getting all the ingridients right, from his own subtle playing to soliciting fine contributions of his backing…