Although arranger
Gil Evans had been active in the major leagues of jazz ever since the mid-'40s and had participated in
Miles Davis' famous Birth of the Cool recordings,
Gil Evans & Ten was his first opportunity to record as a leader. The set features a typically unusual 11-piece unit consisting of two trumpets, trombonist
Jimmy Cleveland, Bart Varsalona on bass trombone, French horn player
Willie Ruff,
Steve Lacy on soprano, altoist
Lee Konitz,
Dave Kurtzer on bassoon, bassist
Paul Chambers, and either
Nick Stabulas or
Jo Jones on drums, plus the leader's sparse piano. As good an introduction to his work as any, this program includes diverse works ranging from
Leadbelly to
Leonard Bernstein, plus
Evans' own "Jambangle." The arranger's inventive use of the voices of his rather unique sidemen make this a memorable set. ~ Scott Yanow