The Ray Draper

Now regarded as one of the most iconic figures in jazz history, back in the late 1950s John Coltrane was a regular ""gun for hire"" participating in many sessions by studio-assembled bands led by a wide array of leaders. None were more unusual than the two albums he recorded with Ray Draper, a truly unique exponent of modern jazz tuba. Although still in his teens, the prodigal brassman was already a member of drummer Max Roach's group and had begun to emerge as an equally promising composer, highlighted by the number of themes from his pen featured on these two sets. Recorded during Coltrane's celebrated ""sheets of sound"" period, Draper's brace of albums are noteworthy for their inclusion of three compositions written by the other twin-peak of modern jazz saxophone, Sonny Rollins, two of which Coltrane did not record elsewhere.

Ray Draper was only 17 when he led this date (all four of his sessions as a leader were made before he turned 20) and was brave (or foolhardy) enough to team up with tenor saxophonist John Coltrane (who was 14 years older and already a major name) in a quintet also including pianist Gil Coggins, bassist Spanky DeBrest, and drummer Larry Ritchie. Draper had ambitious dreams of making the tuba a major jazz solo instrument; the tuba/tenor front line is an unusual and generally successful sound, although Draper's solos - on three of his originals: Sonny Rollins' "Paul's Pal," the show tune "Under Paris Skies," and a tuba feature without Coltrane, "I Hadn't Anyone Till You" - are clearly not on the same level as those of Coltrane or Coggin. One does admire Draper's courage, and it is a pity that he hardly recorded at all after 1960, because he showed strong potential.

Ray Draper - Tuba Sounds (1957) {Prestige OJCCD-1936-2 rel 2000}
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© 1957, 2000 Prestige / Fantasy | OJCCD-1936-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Tuba

One of the first tuba players to lead his own recording session in a bebop setting, Ray Draper was only 16 when he recorded the music on this CD reissue, his debut. Teamed in a sextet with trumpeter Webster Young (also making his recording debut), altoist Jackie McLean, pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Spanky DeBrest, and drummer Ben Dixon, Draper fits in pretty well.

The Sonny Criss Orchestra - Sonny's Dream (Birth of the New Cool) (1968) {Prestige OJCCD-707-2 rel 1992}
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© 1968, 1992 Prestige / Fantasy | OJCCD-707-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Cool / Saxophone

Fantastic! This is one of Sonny Criss' masterworks, and an amazing tribute to the LA jazz underground of the 60's. Horace Tapscott composed and arranged all of the tracks on here, and they form a beautiful, soulful, suite that gives Criss a perfect backdrop for his meaningful solos. The work is fantastic, and every moment falls perfectly in line. Haunting stuff that we never tire of listening to, and which we can't recommend highly enough!

John Coltrane - Like Sonny (1958) {Roulette Jazz 077779390120 rel 1990}
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© 1958-60, 1990 Roulette Jazz / Blue Note / Capitol / EMI Records | 0777 7 93901 2 0
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone

This Blue Note CD combines two unrelated sessions. Coltrane is heard in a quintet with the tuba player Ray Draper (their second album together) playing five standards (including "Doxy" and "Oleo") and Draper's "Essii's Dance." The 1960 performances are more significant because they're the earliest recorded collaborations by Coltrane and pianist McCoy Tyner. Together with bassist Steve Davis and drummer Billy Higgins, they perform "One and Four," "Like Sonny," and two takes of "Exotica," music that barely predates 'Trane's classic quartet and succeeds on its own terms.