Altoists
Jackie McLean and
John Jenkins previously shared equal billing with
Phil Woods,
Gene Quill, and
Hal McKusick for the album
Bird Feathers, on which the saxophonists paid tribute to
Charlie Parker on
Parker's blues "Bird Feathers" supported by the fine boppish rhythm section of pianist
Wade Legge, bassist
Doug Watkins, and drummer
Art Taylor.
McLean,
Jenkins,
Legge,
Watkins, and
Taylor also recorded the five tracks here heard on
Alto Madness at the same May 3, 1957 session that produced "Bird Feathers," and they continued the tribute to
Parker in practically every phrase they played.
McLean became much more individual within a few years, while
Jenkins would fade from the scene altogether. This likable jam session features plenty of tradeoffs by the two altoists.