Gil Evans released two records on World Pacific in 1958 and 1959. They were among his earliest dates as a leader.
Gil Evans & Ten was issued by Prestige in 1957, but these dates stand out more.
New Bottle, Old Wine was the first of the pair and the band included four trumpets, a trio of trombones, French horn (played by
Julius Watkins), a pair of tubas,
Cannonball Adderley as the lone saxophonist, and a rhythm section that included either
Philly Joe Jones or
Art Blakey on drums,
Paul Chambers on bass, and
Chuck Wayne on guitar. The reading of "King Porter Stomp" is the stunner here, with
Adderley's solo being a prized moment. There isn't a weak cut in the whole mess though. Other standouts include
Fats Waller's "Willow Tree," "Lester Leaps In," with great solos by
Wayne and
Adderley, the burning finale of
Dizzy Gillespie's "Manteca," and
Charlie Parker's "Bird Feathers" closing it out.
The second of these albums, Great Jazz Standards, featured a similar band with some notable differences. For one, the inclusion of soprano saxophonist
Steve Lacy as a soloist and rhythm sections that included either
Dennis Charles or
Elvin Jones on drums,
Curtis Fuller on trombone, and
Budd Johnson on tenor for about half the set. The finer moments here include "Ballad of the Sad Young Men," (a newish tune at the time with a fine piano solo by
Evans)
John Lewis' "Django," with a truly brilliant and understated solo by
Lacy, who also does a commendable job on "Straight No Chaser."
Johnson wails on
Gil Evans' "La Nevada (Theme)."
Evans arrangement of
Clifford Brown's "Joy Spring" is also a killer, with his and guitarist
Ray Crawford's solos.
The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings is a fine collection issued by Blue Note, which, as part of the Connoisseur Series, is limited and will be out of print again soon. Don't wait. ~ Thom Jurek