Doc Evans

Gil Evans - Into The Hot (1961) {Impulse! ‎MCAD-39104 rel 1988}
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© 1961, 1988 Impulse! / MCA Records | ‎MCAD-39104
Jazz / Post Bop / Modern Big Band / Progressive Jazz / Modern Arrangement

A marvelous album of varied colors and textures. The Evans arranging genius is much in evidence here. A wonderful companion to his best work with Miles Davis, "Into the Hot" also features three compositions by Cecil Taylor, who plays piano on the tracks. But fear not–apparently Mr. Evans had a calming effect on him, because Mr. Taylor has never played with such restraint. Highly recommended.

This double-CD set gave bassist Milt Hinton an opportunity to engage in reunions with many of his old friends from the 1930s. The seven sessions were compiled during a 12-month period and the results are often delightful. The opening "Old Man Time" is sung by Hinton himself, and it is both insightful and humorous. The other highlights include Joe Williams singing "Four or Five Times" (which features some very rare Flip Phillips clarinet), three bass guitar duets with Danny Barker, appearances by Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Al Grey, Ralph Sutton, and the formation of a group called "The Survivors" that has guitarist Al Casey at age 75 being the youngest member; the latter band also includes 85-year-old trumpeter Doc Cheatham, Eddie Barefield, Buddy Tate and even Cab Calloway. A lot of storytelling takes place during the songs and, in addition to the 92½ minutes of music, there are two "Jazzspeaks." The 13-minute one features Hinton, Calloway, Cheatham and Barefield reminiscing about their experiences in the early days, while a marvelous 45-minute monologue by the bassist covers most of his long and productive life and is consistently fascinating. Highly recommended.

Dizzie Gillespie - Perceptions (1961) {Verve Elite Edition 314 537 748-2 rel 1997}
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© 1961, 1997 Verve / PolyGram | Verve Elite Edition | 314 537 748-2
Jazz / Large Jazz Orchestra / Modern Arrangement / Trumpet

This unusual session consists of a complex six-movement suite by J.J. Johnson featuring Dizzy Gillespie's trumpet over a brass choir (six trumpets, two trombones, two bass trombones, four French horns and two tubas), bass, drums, percussion and two harps. Often reminiscent of classical music, Johnson's writing allows plenty of room for Gillespie to improvise. The result is a rather unique set of music that is well worth searching for.

UK jazz ensemble The Jazz Defenders release their third album "Memory In Motion" in April on Haggis Records (home of The Haggis Horns and Malcolm Strachan). The Bristol jazz boppers deliver another quality release of original material that takes in their usual diverse mix of influences and genres, from timeless acoustic jazz referencing the classic sounds of Blue Note Records, to a more contemporary fusion where jazz meets soul, funk and hip-hop.

King Curtis - Wail Man Wail! - The Best Of King Curtis 1952-1961 [3CD Set] (2012) {Fantastic Voyage}
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© 2012 Fantastic Voyage | FVTD088
Jazz / R&B / Blues / Rock&Roll / Soul / Saxophone

The Best Of King Curtis 1952-1961 - Saxophone titan King Curtis gets the stellar showcase he deserves on Dave Penny’s latest career-defining set for Fantastic Voyage, continuing the roll which has seen the label raise the benchmark for knowledgeable, expertly-annotated compilations. Over three discs and nearly 100 tracks, Wail Man Wail! traverses the unmistakable tones of the late Curtis Ousley after he arrived from Texas in New York City in 1952, winning amateur night at Harlem’s Apollo before embarking on a recording career which took him to several seminal independent labels and bands with the likes of Lester Young and Lionel Hampton. He settled in New York for 17 years, declaring himself King Curtis and quickly making a name for roaring instrumentals and enhancing countless sessions.