Billboard : 11/24/1956
Score of 80

The “pairs” here are two trumpets (Kenny Dorham and Donald Byrd) and two altos (Phil Woods and Gene Quill). Rhythm is provided by Tommy Flanagan, Doug Watkins and Philly Joe Jones. This is an impressive line-up of some of the most promising talent on the East Coast. Woods’ work is particularly outstanding; he also gets writing credit on three of the four selections in the set. Stanley Stomper is a brilliant, hard-driving opus that would be a good demo selection. One of the most satisfying of recent East Coast modern issues.

—–

Oakland Tribune – Oakland, CA
Russ Wilson – 11/25/1956

Pairing Off teams altoists Phil Woods and Gene Quill and trumpeters Kenny Dorham and Donald Byrd in some extended conversations, assisted by pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Philly Joe Jones. It’s a free-swinging modern session with its driving intense moments countered by some lyrical passages. Ira Gitler’s notes give a rundown on the solos.

—–

San Francisco Chronicle
Ralph J. Gleason : 12/02/1956

Called Pairing Off, this LP features altoist Woods and Gene Quill, trumpeters Kenny Dorham and Don Byrd in a group of four tunes, three of which are real gangbusters and the fourth a ballad. This is straight ahead swing, New York style, and it is a little raucous.

—–

Down Beat : 12/12/1956
Ralph J. Gleason : 3 stars

Pairing Off is the title, and those involved are Woods and Gene Quill, altos; Kenny Dorham and Donald Byrd, trumpets; Tommy Flanagan, piano; Doug Watkins, bass, and J.R. Jones, drums.

This is tough, hard-swinging jazz with an exciting, though close to frantic, quality that is accentuated in the occasional harshness of the alto soloists, their snarling attack and the 88mm cannonade set up behind them by Jones. The opening side is fascinating, not only for its compulsive beat, but for the similarity of sound and ideas of the two sets of horns. (The notes err on choruses here).

Woods and Quill both play with fervor and facility; Byrd and Dorham each take solos that indicate their talent (Byrd especially) and the occasional piano of Flanagan is a delightful, subtle contrast to the stomping of the others. It is interesting, by the way, to not how much more effective Jones’ drummer is behind the piano and bass than behind the horns. The ballad track is too tough in concept but still swings strongly, as do all the others. The funny-style notes are merely in bad taste.

—–

Liner Notes by Ira Gitler

Pairing off in the doubles match on the center court we have Phil Woods, the winner of the 1956 Down Beat international clay court championship (new star division), two ranking players, the veteran Kenny Dorham and the newcomer Donald Byrd, plus the unseeded but rising Gene Quill.

Although the teams pair off differently in each set, all the games are hard swinging ones with many long volleys and several service aces. In addition, there is a star singles player from the grass (roots) courts of Detroit… Tommy Flanagan.

Program: (for those who can’t tell the players without one) Phillip Wells Woods… son of the Springfield, Mass fire chief (The Stanley Stomper is named for him). Been blowing since an uncle left him an alto in his will. Studied with Lennie Tristano, also at Manhattan School of Music and Julliard. Played with Jimmy Raney quintet and own small group in 1954-55. Later with Neal Hefti‘s band and George Wallington‘s combo. In 1956 appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival with Friedrich Gulda and made two government-sponsored tours to the Middle East and South America with the Dizzy Gillespie orchestra. Wrote all the lines for this LP.

McKinley Howard “Kenny” Dorham… born in Fairfield, Texas in 1924. From a musical family. Took up piano at 7, trumpet in high school. Played with the big bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Eckstine and Lionel Hampton, 1945-47, and the small groups of Charlie Parker 1948-50 and the Jazz Messengers 1955-56 before forming his own Jazz Prophets midway in 1956.

Daniel Eugene “Gene” Quill… born 1927 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Father an amateur violinist. Took up alto in grammar school and joined union at 13. Broke in his home town with Alex Bartha’s Steel Pier Band. Later with Jerry Wald, Art Mooney, Buddy DeFranco, Claude Thornhill, Gene Krupa and Dan Terry.

Donald Byrd… born in Detroit in 1932. Father a Methodist minister and musician. Musical schooling at Cass Tech, Wayne University and Manhattan School. Played with Air Force band 1951-53. With George Wallington combo in 1955 and Jazz Messengers during first half of 1956. Joined Max Roach in July of ’56.

Tommy Flanagan… another native Detroiter who is 25 years old. First professional job with Dexter Gordon at the age of 16. Later worked with Lucky Thompson, Milt Jackson. Spent most of his time in Detroit. Whenever horn soloists would come to town he was the pianist they sought and got. Moved to New York in 1956. Accompanied Ella Fitzgerald at 1956 Newport Festival.

Note: Special recognition to Douglas Watkins of the Detroit Grass Roots Tennis Association and Joseph R. Jones of the Philadelphia Lawn Tennis Association. Without them the match could not have been played. You see, they supplied the balls.