Consummate jazz pianist Bill Evans made this record soon after he departed Miles Davis' group and struck out on his own. Drummer Philly Joe Jones and bassist Sam Jones complete the trio on most tracks. Like all his records, Everybody Digs is an engagingly beautiful record, particularly the entrancing 'Peace Piece'.
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The Quest Mal Waldron w/ Eric Dolphy & Booker Ervin 1961 [New Jazz]
Good to see pianist Mal Waldron get due credit on the reissue of this record, which has at times appeared under Eric Dolphy's name. Additional support includes tenor Booker Ervin and Ron Carter on cello. The CD consists of seven adventurous originals spiced with hints of the free jazz mantra that was emerging at the time.
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Sunday at the Village Vanguard Bill Evans Trio 1961 [Riverside]
One of two classic records (the other being Waltz for Debby) culled from perfectionist pianist Bill Evans' stand at the Village Vanguard in 1961. The album cover features the by-line "featuring Scott LaFaro", the bass player whose accidental death soon after highlighted his immense contributions to jazz. Absolutely timeless.
Eccentric pianist Monk assembled what many think was his best outfit for his Columbia debut - Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), John Ore (bass), and Frankie Dunlop (drums). Much of what is here finds Monk pouring his creative energies into re-interpreting earlier compositions in a more modern context. The results are simply outstanding.
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Oscar Peterson Trio+One Oscar Peterson & Clark Terry 1963 [Verve]
Terry unleashes on both trumpet and flugelhorn, bouncing a host of just plain fun ideas off Peterson's swinging piano. This was also the first time Terry's hilarious Mumbles character - created while a member of the Tonight Show band - appeared on record. Mumbles no doubt helped make the record a jazz bestseller well into the 70s.
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Herbie Hancock Empyrean Isles 1964 [Blue Note]
And after hard bop came this… Pianist Herbie Hancock and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard (playing a cornet) virtually defined the postbop sound typical of the mid-60s Blue Note label with this album. It is a stirring and creative piece of work ostensibly based on the myths of the Empyrean Isles. The catchy 'Cantaloupe Island' is a classic.
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Astigmatic Krzysztof Komeda 1965 [Muzi]
Polish composer and pianist better known for his film scores for Roman Polanski's Knife in the Water and Rosemary's Baby. Featuring the debut of gifted trumpeter Tomasz Stańko, Astigmatic is one of the great forgotten gems of jazz. Komeda became a cult figure after his premature death in 1969 from complications arising from head injuries.
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Chick Corea Now He Sings, Now He Sobs 1968 [Solid State]
Before joining Miles Davis and playing on the classic fusion records, pianist Chick Corea recorded this highly creative postbop set in a trio with bassist Miroslav Vitous and drummer Roy Haynes, who would be a regular cohort on many future efforts. The CD expands the repertoire from five tracks to include all thirteen recorded at the time.
