The great tenor saxophonist
Gene Ammons was of the generation of swing-era players that easily adapted to bop. But though he was a modernist,
Ammons maintained that breathy, old-school romantic approach to the tenor.
Boss Tenor, a quintet session from 1960, is one of
Ammons' very best albums.
Ray Barretto's congas subtly add a bit of Latin spice, but otherwise this is a collection of standards rendered with a gorgeous late-night bluesy feel. Accompaniment by
Tommy Flanagan, one of the best mainstream pianists ever, certainly doesn't hurt, either. A gem.