Dizzy Gillespie – Afro (1954)

Norgran MGN-1003Rec. Dates : May 24 & June 3, 1954 Stream this Album Trumpet : Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Ernie Royal, Jimmy NottinghamArranger : Chico O’FarrillAlto Sax : Hilton Jefferson, George DorseyBaritone Sax : Danny BankBass : Lewis Hackney, Bobby RodríguezBongos : José MangualCongas : Cándido, Mongo Santamaría, Ralph MirandaDrums : Charlie PersipFlute : Gilberto

Jackie McLean / John Jenkins – Alto Madness (1958)

Prestige – PRLP 7114Rec. Date : May 3, 1957 Alto Sax : Jackie McLean, John JenkinsBass : Doug WatkinsDrums : Art TaylorPiano : Wade Legge Listening to Prestige : #232Stream this Album Billboard : 02/10/1958Two stars A blowing session of sporting altoists J. Mclean and John Jenkins, both bearing the stamp of Charlie Parker a little too blatantly. Of the two, McLean shows more individuality in

Don Byrd / Gigi Gryce – Jazz Lab (1957)

Columbia – CL 998Rec. Dates : January 13, 1957, February 4 & 5, 1957, March 13, 1957 Stream this Album Trumpet : Donald ByrdAlto Sax : Gigi GryceBaritone Sax : Sahib ShihabBass : Wendell MarshallDrums : Art TaylorFrench Horn : Julius WatkinsPiano : Wade Legge, Tommy FlanaganTrombone : Jimmy Cleveland, Benny PowellTuba : Don Butterfield

Charles Mingus – The Clown (1957)

Atlantic – 1260Rec. Date : February 13, 1957, March 12, 1957Stream this Album Bass : Charles MingusAlto Sax : Curtis PorterDrums : Dannie RichmondPiano : Wade LeggeTenor Sax : Curtis PorterTrombone : Jimmy KnepperNarration : Jean Shepherd Army TimesTom Scanlan : 10/19/1957 Charlie Mingus, a superior bassman, is perhaps best known now as an avant-garde composer and arranger. If your jazz

Gigi Gryce – Jazz Lab Quintet (1957)

Riverside – RLP 12-229Rec. Dates : February 27, 1957, March 7, 1957Stream this Album (YT only) Alto Sax : Gigi GryceBass : Wendell MarshallDrums : Art TaylorTrumpet : Donald ByrdPiano : Wade Legge Billboard : 07/15/1957Score of 79 Issue coincides with similar release on Columbia. An essentially boppish package that is better than most of its kind. Imaginative solo performances, integration

Prestige LP 7095

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