Benny Golson

Benny Golson - Groovin' With Golson (1959) {Prestige OJCCD-226-2 rel 1992}
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© 1959, 1992 Prestige / New Jazz / Fantasy | OJCCD-226-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone

This is one of at least four recordings that matched up tenor saxophonist Benny Golson and trombonist Curtis Fuller prior to the formation of the Jazztet; ironically, Fuller only stuck around for one Jazztet record before departing. Reissued on CD, the LP-length program has two lesser-known Golson compositions along with "Drum Boogie," "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," and "Yesterdays." Three of the tunes are blues, and the two ballads are taken at a medium-tempo pace. With pianist Ray Bryant, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Blakey forming a solid rhythm section, the hard bop music does indeed groove in its own fashion.

Benny Golson - New Time, New 'Tet (2009) {Concord Music Group 0888072311213}
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© 2009 Concord Music Group | 0888072311213
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post-Bop / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

At age eighty, tenor saxophonist, composer and band leader Benny Golson is still going strong, and although he experienced a few lean years, is very much a force on the modern mainstream jazz scene in the years of the 2000s. He has revived the spirit of his original Jazztet, co-founded with the late trumpeter Art Farmer, on several occasions since the ensemble was originally founded in 1959. This edition features a strong front line of Golson, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, and trombonist Steve Davis, players from different generations who completely understand the hard and post-bop language. The rhythm section is even more delicious, with pianist Mike LeDonne, peerless bassist Buster Williams, and younger drummer Carl Allen working together in the best sense of that ideal.

Recorded in the New York City, November 1957.
Benny Golson is a talented composer/arranger whose tenor playing has continued to evolve with time. After attending Howard University (1947-50) he worked in Philadelphia with Bull Moose Jackson's R&B band (1951) at a time when it included one of his writing influences, Tadd Dameron on piano. Golson played with Dameron for a period in 1953 and this was followed by stints with Lionel Hampton (1953-54), Johnny Hodges and Earl Bostic (1954-56). He came to prominence while with Dizzy Gillespie's globetrotting big band (1956-58), as much for his writing as for his tenor playing (the latter was most influenced by Don Byas and Lucky Thompson)…

Benny Golson - Up, Jumped, Spring (1990) {Lester Recording Catalog 20040 rel 2002}
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© 1990, 2002 Lester Recording Catalog | 20040
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Saxophone

Beautiful work from the always-great Benny Golson – a wonderfully understated quartet session that's filled with plenty of long tracks, and sublime solo work from Golson! Benny's performed in many settings over the years – all of which are great – but we're recently quite partial to his more relaxed and open sessions from this period – dates like this which show a newly reborn focus on the sound of his horn and his ability to improvised creatively over an extended period of time. There's a definite Dexter Gordon influence to the impulse – but Benny serves up the music with a fair bit more soul and lyrical imagination – working here with a group that includes Mulgrew Miller on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Tony Reedus on drums.

Art Farmer-Benny Golson Jazztet - Here and Now + Another Git Together (1962) {2012 Mercury Remaster, Jazzplus Series}
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© 2012 Mercury / Universal | 06007 5340166
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone / Trumpet

Art Farmer-Benny Golson Jazztet was a talent-studded little band, among the finest groups of its time (1959-1962), able and willing to try anything—notice the sextet’s exuberant romping on these two albums “Here and Now,” and “Another Git Together”—recorded in 1962. They feature only the co-leaders of the original band, but the replacements—trombonist Grachan Moncur III and a Harold Mabern Herbie Lewis—Roy McCurdy rhythm section—maintained the pungent blend of zest, relaxation, control and creativity that characterised the Jazztet at its best.