1. Star Eyes
2. You Better Go Now
3. Stella By Starlight
4. Red Arrow
5. Box 2000
6. Ubas
After watching a recent interview with Chris Potter playing his horn somewhere in the southwest desert as well as answering the occasional question about life and jazz, I needed to take a listen to Red Rodney as Chris pointed out that he was one of his main influences. I thought I had found most of the bop/early hard bop trumpet players such as Clifford Brown, Kenny Dorham, Donald Byrd, Blue Mitchell, Booker Little, Lee Morgan, Freddie etc. But somehow I was never exposed to Red until now. His harmonic content and mastery of the bop language is the likes of the forefathers of the modern jazz of the time, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell and of course, Charlie Parker, but he never seems to mimic and is always looking for new places to venture. His phrasing and feel seems strikingly similar to that of Clifford Brown as well as that raspy big sound that conveys so much strength. But again, doing it in his own unique way.
Present on the date is Washington D.C. native and Chicago Jazz icon, Ira Sullivan, who picks up the trumpet on "The Red Arrow" and Tenor on the rest of the tracks. The stellar rhythm section consists of Tommy Flanagan on piano, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and either Philly Joe Jones or Elvin Jones on drums.
The maturity of the group is noted on every track as everyone is floating around the age of 30 at this point. It's so great to find gems like this from a transitioning time in jazz. I encourage any Jazz fans to check this out and appreciate the expertise and musicality of these Bop masters.
Chris' interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJIL6K2cJFc
No comments:
Post a Comment