This bebop era trombone sampler provides a perfect way to hear early sides by
J.J. Johnson,
Kai Winding, and
Bennie Green.
Johnson appropriately kicks thing off, demonstrating his innovative adaptation of
Charlie Parker's bop language to the trombone. Joined by tenor saxophonist
Sonny Rollins, trumpeter
Kenny Dorham, pianist
John Lewis, and drummer
Max Roach,
Johnson works through four up-tempo cuts, including the self-penned "Fox Hunt" and "Opus V."
Lewis and
Dorham contribute a cut apiece and join the rest of the group in turning in many fine and fluid solos.
Winding, who at first took cues from
Johnson, avails himself admirably on four tracks here as well, keeping with the up-tempo groove on his original number "A Night on Bop Mountain" and
Gerry Mulligan's "Waterworks." Along with
Mulligan on baritone,
Winding is supported by tenor saxophonist
Brew Moore, pianist
George Wallington, and drummer
Roy Haynes, whose depth-charge bass drum accents particularly standout. In contrast to the bebop mold both
Johnson and
Winding fitted into,
Green stuck mostly to a big band and R&B vein, sidestepping many of
Parker and
Dizzy Gillespie's innovations in favor of a more traditional, yet no less swinging sound. Sparked by the honking intensity of
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis' tenor solos and
Art Blakey's busy, yet tight drumming,
Green blazes through four cuts as well, mixing intense, grainy solos with more fluid and rounded statements. Both his duel with
Davis on "Whirl-A-Licks" and the fine rendition of "Pennies From Heaven" deserve particular recognition. While the sound here is not top-notch, these recordings from 1949-'51 offer more than enough engaging moments to make this a great jazz title. The CD offers a handful of bonus tracks, including alternate takes and a title not found on the original LP.