For The Quota, Jimmy Heath gathered his older brother, Percy, and his younger one, Tootie, into the Riverside studios along with three young lions of the New York jazz scene. In Julius Watkins, Heath selected a musician who had made himself a mainstay of the New York scene despite the fact that he played French horn, an instrument almost impossibly difficult for improvisation. In a short time in New York, Cedar Walton had become sought after as a versatile pianist who soloed with rare conviction and beauty.
18 original albums on 10 CDs.
The early recordings of pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, as well as important publications by some eminent colleagues: Donald Byrd, Pepper Adams, Al Grey, George Coleman, Max Roach, Grant Green, Jimmy Heath, Miles Davis, Lee Morgan, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Ron Carter, Eric Dolphy, and Kenny Dorham.
One of the hippest Milt Jackson albums of the 60s – a set that definitely lives up to its Museum Of Modern Art setting! The performance is one of the most famous from that museum's well-remembered series of 60s jazz concerts – and it features Milt Jackson's quintet really stretching out nicely – hitting sharper tones and bolder notes than in some of their other sessions of the decade, and possibly picking up a freer feel overall in the live setting. Milt's vibes are wonderfully accompanied by the reeds of Jimmy Heath and piano of Cedar Walton – both players who mix soul and modern elements in the same sort of perfect blend that Jackson hits. And the rhythm section is tightly snapping and soulful – never too groove-oriented, but always conscious of a sense of a swing – thanks to bass from Ron Carter and drums from Candy Finch.
Milt Jackson at the Museum of Modern Art is one of the many live jazz record dates that should be better known than it is. Perhaps it's because the LP has been unavailable in America since the early '70s; it was released on CD only briefly in Japan. Verve's brilliant Originals series has remedied this situation by issuing the gatefold-sleeve of the LP in a fine edition on compact disc (with the original liner notes pasted into a handsome booklet with the original photos). Released in 1965, shortly after the concert took place, this set is regarded by jazz historians as one of the greatest concerts ever to be performed during the MOMA's terrific free concert series during the '60s. During a rare respite from the Modern Jazz Quartet, Jackson was able to record as a solo artist with musicians of his own caliber. In this case his companions are pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Ron Carter…
Milt Jackson at the Museum of Modern Art is one of the many live jazz record dates that should be better known than it is. Perhaps it's because the LP has been unavailable in America since the early '70s; it was released on CD only briefly in Japan. Verve's brilliant Originals series has remedied this situation by issuing the gatefold-sleeve of the LP in a fine edition on compact disc (with the original liner notes pasted into a handsome booklet with the original photos). Released in 1965, shortly after the concert took place, this set is regarded by jazz historians as one of the greatest concerts ever to be performed during the MOMA's terrific free concert series during the '60s. During a rare respite from the Modern Jazz Quartet, Jackson was able to record as a solo artist with musicians of his own caliber. In this case his companions are pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Ron Carter…