Hampton Hawes 1952 Memorial

Hampton Hawes, “For Real!” was recorded in 1958 but not released on the Contemporary Records label until 1961. Featuring Hawes (piano) alongside Harold Land (tenor sax), Scott LaFaro (bass) and Frank Butler (drums) the album incudes a mixture of both jazz standards and originals. This new edition features remastered hi-res audio from the original tapes.

This decently recorded live session features tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray, trumpeter Art Farmer, pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Joe Mondragon and drummer Shelly Manne stretching out on eight numbers (most of which clock in at 7-10 minutes). Originally a Xanadu LP, the CD reissue adds "Lady Bird" to the original set, which is highlighted by "The Squirrel," "Jackie," "Donna Lee" and "Get Happy." Because of his consistency and truncated life, every Wardell Gray recording is well worth picking up. Jointly sold with the February 2019 issue of the Italian "Musica Jazz" magazine.

Hampton Hawes Quartet - All Night Session, Vols. 1-3 (1956) {2CD Set Japan Victor Mini LP 20-bit K2, VICJ-60782~3 rel 2001}
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© 1956, 2001 Contemporary Records / Victor Japan | VICJ-60782~3
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Piano

A Japanese reissue of this terrific session which was originally released on three LPs. It's beautifully remastered in 20-bit K2 super coding and contains one track not on any of the original LPs. Originally issued on three LPs, the music resulting from Hampton Hawes' All Night Session! was stereophonically recorded for the Contemporary label in Los Angeles on the night of November 12 and into the morning of November 13, 1956. This session transcended the conventions of studio production by moving steadily from one tune to the next like a live gig with no alternate takes.

Hampton Hawes - Northern Windows (1974) {2014 Japan Rare Groove Funk Best Collection 1000}
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© 1974, 2014 Prestige / Concord / Universal Music Japan | UCCO-90359
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Hard Bop / Piano

One of the best David Axelrod-assisted albums from the early 70s – a sweet batch of funky cuts with arrangements and backings handled by Axe, and loads of great keyboard lines from the legendary Hampton Hawes! The record really bubbles with the warm and soulful approach Axelrod was using at Fantasy – kind of a step off his stark modern sound at Capitol, but still done with just the right amount of space and appreciation of a funky rhythm. The great Carol Kaye is on bass, and Hawes plays some totally sweeeeeeeet electric keys on the set – really stretching out in ways that are different than some of his acoustic work of a few years before – yet still filled with the same rich sort of imagination. Titles include "Sierra Morena", "Go Down Moses", "Web", "Tune Axle Grease", and "C&H Sugar".

Hampton Hawes - The Green Leaves Of Summer (1964) {Contemporary OJCCD-476-2 rel 1990}
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© 1964, 1990 Contemporary / OJC / Fantasy | OJCCD-476-2 (S-7614)
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Piano

Pianist Hampton Hawes' first recording after serving five years in prison finds Hawes evolving a bit from a Bud Powell-influenced bop pianist to one familiar with more modern trends in jazz. Reissued on CD, this trio date finds Hawes interacting closely with bassist Monk Montgomery and drummer Steve Ellington (making his recording debut). Hawes had lost nothing of his swinging style while in prison, as can be heard on such numbers as "Vierd Blues," "St. Thomas" and "Secret Love," and he was just starting to hint at moving beyond bop. Recommended.

Art Pepper - The Discovery Sessions (1952) {Savoy Jazz 92846-2 rel 1999}
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© 1952, 1999 Atlantic / Savoy Jazz | 92846-2
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Saxophone

Most of Art Pepper's first three studio dates as a leader are represented in this compilation, though a few previously issued alternate takes are omitted. The first date finds the alto saxophonist in fine form, leading a quartet consisting of pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Joe Mondragon, and drummer Larry Bunker. Pepper primarily sticks to originals, though he offers a warm rendition of the standard "These Foolish Things" as well. Pepper sounds a little more adventurous on the second date, accompanied by pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Bob Whitlock, and drummer Bobby White.