Ike Quebec

Working with the same quartet that cut Heavy Soul - organist Freddie Roach, bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Al Harewood - Ike Quebec recorded another winning hard bop album with It Might As Well Be Spring. In many ways, the record is a companion piece to Heavy Soul. Since the two albums were recorded so close together, it's not surprising that there a number of stylistic similarities, but there are subtle differences to savor. The main distinction between the two dates is that It Might As Well Be Spring is a relaxed, romantic date comprised of standards. It provides Quebec with ample opportunity to showcase his rich, lyrical ballad style, and he shines throughout the album. Similarly, Roach has a tasteful, understated technique, whether he's soloing or providing support for Quebec. The pair have a terrific, sympathetic interplay that makes It Might As Well Be Spring a joyous listen.

Ike Quebec - The Complete Blue Note 45 Sessions (2005) {2CD Set, Blue Note Connoisseur CD Series rec 1959-1962}
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© 1959-62, 2005 Blue Note / Capitol / EMI | 0946 3 11441 2 7
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

During his comeback years (1959-62) after a decade mostly off the scene, tenor saxophonist Ike Quebec recorded frequently for Blue Note. He started off with a session aimed at the 45 jukebox market and, although he eventually made a few full-length albums for the label, Quebec cut four 45 dates over a two-and-a-half-year period. This double-disc set has all of the jukebox sessions. Most of the 26 selections clock in between four and seven minutes and have long melody statements in addition to concise and soulful solos. Quebec, who was in consistently prime form during his last period, is joined by groups featuring either Skeeter Best or Willie Jones on guitar and Edwin Swanston, Sir Charles Thompson, or Earl Van Dyke on organ. Fun, loose and highly enjoyable music.

The Strong Tenor is an appropriate title for this compilation capturing tenor saxophonist Ike Quebec from 1943 through 1946. This is the first era of Quebec's career as a leader, and featured soloist in bands led by Roy Eldridge, Jonah Jones, Cab Calloway, Hot Lips Page, Trummy Young, and Sammy Price. The album also includes his hit "Blue Harlem" recorded for Blue Note in 1944. Quebec would succumb to drug abuse in the '50s only to make a brief comeback in the early '60s as a leader on several Blue Note sessions.

Ike Quebec - Heavy Soul (1961) {Blue Note, RVG 7243 8 64472 2 7 rel 2005}
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© 1961, 2005 Blue Note | 7243 8 64472 2 7
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hard Bop / Tenor Saxophone / Organ

Heavy soul from Ike Quebec – one of Blue Note's greatest players of the 78 era in the 40s, stepping out here on one of his brilliant comeback sets from the early 60s! The set features Ike blowing in an all soul jazz mode – working with a quartet that includes some great work from organist Freddie Roach – swinging here in a great straight ahead mode, and really pushing Ike to lay out some of the best solos of his later Blue Note years. There's a few tracks on the set that step out in a tight modal jazz groove – organ vamping as Ike blows away – and titles include "Heavy Soul", "Que's Dilemma", "Acquitted", and a very spooky version of "Nature Boy".