Bill Evans – New Jazz Conceptions (1957)

Riverside – RLP 12-223Rec. Dates : September 18, 1956, September 27, 1956Stream this Album Piano : Bill EvansBass : Teddy KotickDrums : Paul Motian Billboard : 03/02/1957Spotlight on… selection Evans, a young pianist, makes an auspicious solo debut. He has his own distinctive modern style, playing long, logical and appealing lines that won’t scare off less hip listeners.

Ernie Henry – Presenting Ernie Henry (1957)

Riverside – RLP 12-222Rec. Date : August 23, 1956, August 30, 1956Stream this Album Alto Sax : Ernie HenryBass : Wilbur WareDrums : Art TaylorPiano : Kenny DrewTrumpet : Kenny Dorham Billboard : 01/12/1957Score of 72 The first full showcasing of this young alto sax man is quite impressive. Henry is still another Bird Parker follower, but he’s more resourceful than most

Matthew Gee – Jazz by Gee (1957)

Riverside – RLP 12-221Rec. Dates : July 19, 1956, August 22, 1956Stream this Album Trombone : Matthew GeeAlto Sax : Ernie HenryBaritone Sax : Cecil PayneBass : John Simmons, Wilbur WareDrums : Art TaylorPiano : Joe KnightTenor Sax : Frank FosterTrumpet : Kenny Dorham Billboard : 01/12/1957Score of 68 Trombonist Gee plays in the romantic, robust manner of Bennie Green, and occasionally goes a little more modern.

Barbara Lea – Lea in Love (1957)

Prestige – PRLP 7100Rec. Dates : April 19, 1957, April 24, 1957, April 26, 1957, May 1, 1957 Vocals : Barbara LeaArranger : Dick Cary Listening to Prestige : #226, #228, #231Stream this Album Billboard : 07/22/1957Score of 70 Although there are few jazz elements in this thrush’s style, jazz backing, the label and some cult attraction determine the specialty

Ray Bryant Trio – Piano Piano Piano (1957)

Prestige – PRLP 7098Rec. Date : April 5, 1957 Piano : Ray BryantBass : Ike IsaacsDrums : Specs Wright Listening to Prestige : #221Stream this Album Billboard : 08/12/1957Special Merit Jazz Album Bryant, a fast-maturing modern pianist, in a set of sensitively turned performances. Especially laudable for his excellent touch and development of ideas to a point of eloquence

Gil Melle Quartet – Quadrama (1957)

Prestige – PRLP 7097Rec. Date : April 26, 1957 Baritone Sax : Gil MelleBass : George DuvivierDrums : Shadow WilsonGuitar : Joe Cinderella Listening to Prestige : #229Album is Not Streamable Billboard : 08/26/1957Score of 71 An emphatic modern date that sports the thoughtful, melodic compositions of baritonist Melle, some fine blowing from the leader guitarist J. Cinderella plus stellar rhythmic support from S.

Ray Draper Quintet – Tuba Sounds (1957)

Prestige – PRLP 7096Rec. Date : March 15, 1957 Tuba : Ray DraperAlto Sax : Jackie McLeanBass : Spanky DeBrestDrums : Ben DixonPiano : Mal WaldronTrumpet : Webster Young Listening to Prestige : #216Stream this Album San Francisco ExaminerC.H. Garrigues : 09/29/1957 Originally the tuba performed the chores in the jazz band which have been taken over in latter days by the

Sonny Rollins – Rollins Plays for Bird (1957)

Prestige – PRLP 7095Rec. Date : October 5, 1956 Tenor Sax : Sonny RollinsBass : George MorrowDrums : Max RoachPiano : Wade LeggeTrumpet : Kenny Dorham Listening to Prestige : #189Stream this Album Billboard : 08/12/1957Score of 77 A substantial set featuring a seven-selection tribute medley to late “Bird” Parker, provocatively handled by Rollins and emphatic colleagues (rest of review is missing) —– Cash