Lee Morgan Caramba

'By definition the bass player is a pivotal figure in jazz, a steward of tonality as well as tempo. Determining a good one can require close listening: that quality reveals itself in the cohesion of the band as well as in the handling of line and phrase. All of this was accounted for in Mr. Williams’s set, which also involved a pair of harmonically sound original compositions and a balance of tradition and novelty.' -Nate Chinen, New York Times State Of Art is a result of Williams’ first prize in the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Competition for double-bass. The album marks Williams’ first album as a leader, however it is not the bassist’s first time working with the Concord Jazz family.

Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley had been recording for Blue Note for a decade when he made his excellent 1965 album A Caddy for Daddy featuring a first-class sextet with Lee Morgan on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, McCoy Tyner on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums.

By 1956 when this album was recorded, Art Farmer had come into his own as a trumpet soloist. His combination of earthiness, drive, respect for melody, harmonic sophistication and a wistful sound on ballads produced a distinctive and immediately recognizable style. The catchy Farmer's Market had resulted in a semi-hit for Annie Ross after she was inspired by Farmer's 1951 version; Farmer's remake on this album has one of his best solos of the 1950s. His bassist twin brother Addison is in the band, along with pianist Kenny Drew, drummer Elvin Jones and Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone. Farmer, Drew and Mobley contributed most of the tunes on this album.

NEA Jazz Master George Coleman has been involved with notable bands throughout his remarkable career. As a leader, he’s worked with such estimable players as Ray Drummond, Billy Higgins, Mike LeDonne, Bob Cranshaw, Hilton Ruiz and Sam Jones. As a sideman, Coleman has wielded his powerful tenor alongside such legendary artists as Miles Davis, Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Lee Morgan, Herbie Hancock, Charles Mingus, Cedar Walton, and B.B. King, among many others.

The Freedom Rider is an album by jazz drummer Art Blakey and his group the Jazz Messengers.

The Freedom Rider is an album by jazz drummer Art Blakey and his group the Jazz Messengers.

Never released on CD as far as I can tell. Anything with 4 trombone players must be good. Great set of funky, groove oriented jazz, not too unlike Lee Morgan's "The Sidewinder" (which is covered here). Nice version of Herbie's classic "Cantaloupe Island". The title track is a real floor shaker. These tunes were probably played a lot at Hugh Heffner's NY Playboy Club, where Kai was the musical director.