These four sides should not be hard to locate, as the primary participants in this November 30, 1956, session have all issued them within their individual catalogs. However
Tenor Conclave was first released as credited to the "leaderless" Prestige All-Stars -- consisting of tenor saxophonists
John Coltrane,
Hank Mobley,
Al Cohn, and
Zoot Sims. Providing support are pianist
Red Garland, bassist
Paul Chambers, and drummer
Art Taylor. The
Mobley-penned title track commences the effort with the quartet of tenors showing off their stuff in high-flying style. It takes a couple of passes and somewhat of a trained ear to be able to link the players with their contributions, but as is often the case, the whole tends to be greater than the sum of the parts. After a brief introduction with all four rapidly reeling off short riffs,
Mobley charges ahead into truly inspired territory. The midtempo take of "Just You, Just Me" keeps things lively with a light swinging pace that is custom-made for bringing the combo's jocular side to the surface, particularly toward the end as they "trade fours," with each tenor blowing four bars before passing the melody on. The other
Mobley composition is "Bob's Boys," and by all accounts it is the most compelling piece on the outing. The blues-based tune rollicks as
Coltrane,
Mobley,
Cohn, and
Sims find themselves configured in a seeming myriad of sonic face-offs. Wrapping up
Tenor Conclave is an ultra-cool and sophisticated "How Deep Is the Ocean?"
Cohn commences the long and luscious reading with a subtle strength, suggesting the powerful undercurrent flowing throughout the number. Also, listeners are treated to what is possibly
Garland's finest interaction, leading right into
Sims,
Chambers, and finally a sublime
Coltrane caboose. ~ Lindsay Planer