Gene "Jug" Ammons - 'Groove Blues' and 'The Big Sound'

 

January 3, 1958, was a productive day in Gene's recording career, he recorded enough material for two complete Prestige albums, 'Groove Blues' and 'The Big Sound'.

 

'Groove Blues'
Released in 1958, this session features Gene's big tenor along with John Coltrane who's unusually on alto saxophone, Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Paul Quinichette on tenor, Jerome Richardson on flute, Mal Waldron on piano, George Joyner on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. The title track is a medium blues done just right, and everyone swings for the seats on "Jug handle"

1. Ammon Joy
2. Groove Blues
3. Jug Handle
4. It Might As Well Be Spring

 

 

 

 

 


 

 
'The Big Sound'
This one wasn't released, until 1961. Mal Waldron’s "The Real McCoy", is the only track that has John Coltrane on alto, and the tenor of Paul Quinichette. Baritonist Pepper Adams is aboard for two of the performances, and flutist Jerome Richardson (along with pianist Mal Waldron, bassist George Joyner and drummer Art Taylor) are on all four.  Gene Ammons is easily the main star, excels in this setting.

1. Blue Hymn
2. The Real McCoy
3. Cheek To Cheek
4. That's All 

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Donald Byrd & Pepper Adams - 'The Complete Blue Note Studio Sessions'

 

This 4CD set from Mosaic Records, are the albums Donald Byrd and Pepper Adams collaborated on, for the Blue Note label during the years 1959 to 1962: 'Byrd in Hand', 'Chant', 'Royal Flush', 'The Cat Walk', and 'Off to the Races', with the Detroit natives at the top of their game.

Donald and Pepper led a variety of groups that featured the likes of Herbie Hancock (his first session), Wynton Kelly, Duke Pearson (who also contributed material), Charlie Rouse, Sam Jones, and Billy Higgins.  From excellent covers of standards, to seamlessly complex originals, Donald's trumpet tone, and Pepper's' angular baritone make for a perfect one-two punch. 

In typical Mosaic fashion, the audio is the best you'll ever hear these recordings. The Booklet features session photos by Blue Note photographer Francis Wolff and an extensive essay by Bob Blumenthal.

Donald Byrd on trumpet
Pepper Adams on baritone saxophone
Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone
Jackie McLean and Sonny Red, are on alto saxophone
Wynton Kelly, Herbie Hancock, Walter Davis, Duke Pearson and Chick Corea, are on piano
Sam Jones, Doug Watkins, Laymon Jackson, Butch Warren, Miroslav Vitous, are on bass
Art Taylor, Teddy Robinson, Philly Joe Jones, Billy Higgins, Mickey Roker, are on drums

This is hard bop of the highest order.

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