Duke Pearson
Encyclopedia
Duke Pearson was an American
jazz
pianist and composer
. Allmusic notes him as being a "big part in shaping the Blue Note
label's hard bop
direction in the 1960s as a producer
."
, Pearson first studied brass instrument
s at the early age of five, but dental
issues forced him to pursue another instrument, and he started to learn the piano. His budding talent moved his uncle to give him the nickname Duke, a reference to Duke Ellington
. He attended Clark College
while also playing trumpet
in groups in the Atlanta area. He joined the United States Army
in the early 1950s. Pearson continued to perform with different ensemble
s in Georgia and Florida
, including with Tab Smith
and Little Willie John
, before he moved to New York, New York in January 1959.
In New York, Pearson gained the attention of trumpeter Donald Byrd
, who saw Pearson performing with the Art Farmer
/Benny Golson Sextet
(also known as Jazztet). Shortly afterwards, Byrd asked him to join his newly formed band, the Donald Byrd-Pepper Adams
Quintet
. Pearson was also the accompanist for Nancy Wilson
on tour in 1961. During that same year, Pearson became ill before a Byrd-Adams show, and a newcomer named Herbie Hancock
took over for him. This eventually led to Hancock taking over the position permanently.
On the 1963 Byrd album A New Perspective
, Pearson arranged
four tracks, including "Cristo Redentor", which became a big hit. The song, Pearson later commented, was inspired by a trip he took to Brazil
while touring with Wilson. Also that year, after the death of Ike Quebec
, Pearson took over his position as A&R man of Blue Note
. From that year until 1970, Pearson was a frequent session musician
and producer for numerous Blue Note albums while also recording his own albums as band
leader
. This was odd, since Pearson also recorded with his co-led big band
with Byrd for Atlantic Records
, a stipulation he made sure was in his Atlantic contract
. The Byrd-Pearson band consisted of musician
s such as Chick Corea
, Pepper Adams
, Randy Brecker
, and Garnett Brown
; the latter three were members also of the Thad Jones
-Mel Lewis
band that played the same night club, The Village Vanguard
, but on different nights. Between the two ensembles, the musicians performed at their own discretion.
Pearson's compositions include the now standard, frequently covered "Jeannine", composed c. 1960, an early cover of which appears on the Cannonball Adderley album Them Dirty Blues
(1960).
Pearson eventually retired from his position with Blue Note in 1971 after personnel changes were made; co-founder Alfred Lion
retired in 1967 after the label was sold to Liberty Records
the previous year and co-founder Frank Wolff
died in 1971. Pearson opted to teach at Clark College in 1971, toured with Carmen McRae
and Joe Williams
through 1973, and eventually reformed his big band during that time.
He was diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis
in the 1970s, from which he died in 1980 at Atlanta Veterans Hospital.
With Johnny Coles
With Grant Green
With Bobby Hutcherson
With Thad Jones
/Pepper Adams
With Carmen McRae
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. Allmusic notes him as being a "big part in shaping the Blue Note
Blue note
In jazz and blues, a blue note is a note sung or played at a slightly lower pitch than that of the major scale for expressive purposes. Typically the alteration is a semitone or less, but this varies among performers and genres. Country blues, in particular, features wide variations from the...
label's hard bop
Hard bop
Hard bop is a style of jazz that is an extension of bebop music. Journalists and record companies began using the term in the mid-1950s to describe a new current within jazz which incorporated influences from rhythm and blues, gospel music, and blues, especially in the saxophone and piano...
direction in the 1960s as a producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
."
History
Born Columbus Calvin Pearson, Jr. in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, Pearson first studied brass instrument
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
s at the early age of five, but dental
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
issues forced him to pursue another instrument, and he started to learn the piano. His budding talent moved his uncle to give him the nickname Duke, a reference to Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
. He attended Clark College
Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University is a private, historically black university in Atlanta, Georgia. It was formed in 1988 with the consolidation of Clark College and Atlanta University...
while also playing trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
in groups in the Atlanta area. He joined the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in the early 1950s. Pearson continued to perform with different ensemble
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
s in Georgia and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, including with Tab Smith
Tab Smith
Talmadge "Tab" Smith , was an American swing and rhythm and blues alto saxophonist. He is best known for the tracks, "Because Of You" and "Pretend". He variously worked with Count Basie, the Mills Rhythm Boys and Lucky Millinder.-Biography:Smith was born in Kinston, North Carolina, United States...
and Little Willie John
Little Willie John
William Edward John was better known by his stage name Little Willie John. Many sources erroneously give his second name as Edgar...
, before he moved to New York, New York in January 1959.
In New York, Pearson gained the attention of trumpeter Donald Byrd
Donald Byrd
Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II, is an American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd is best known as one of the only bebop jazz musicians who successfully pioneered the funk and soul genres while simultaneously remaining a...
, who saw Pearson performing with the Art Farmer
Art Farmer
Arthur Stewart "Art" Farmer was an American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player. He also played flumpet, a trumpet/flugelhorn combination designed for him by David Monette. His identical twin brother, Addison Farmer Arthur Stewart "Art" Farmer (August 21, 1928, Council Bluffs, Iowa –...
/Benny Golson Sextet
Benny Golson
Benny Golson is an American bebop/hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger.-Biography:While in high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Golson played with several other promising young musicians, including John Coltrane, Red Garland, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones, and...
(also known as Jazztet). Shortly afterwards, Byrd asked him to join his newly formed band, the Donald Byrd-Pepper Adams
Pepper Adams
Park Frederick "Pepper" Adams III was a jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 43 pieces, was the leader on twenty albums, and participated in 600 sessions as a sideman.-Biography:...
Quintet
Quintet
A quintet is a group containing five members.It is commonly associated with musical groups, such as a string quintet, or a group of five singers, but can be applied to any situation where five similar or related objects are considered a single unit....
. Pearson was also the accompanist for Nancy Wilson
Nancy Wilson (singer)
Nancy Wilson is an American singer with more than 70 albums, and three Grammy Awards. She has been labeled a singer of blues, jazz, cabaret and pop; a "consummate actress"; and "the complete entertainer." The title she prefers, however, is song stylist...
on tour in 1961. During that same year, Pearson became ill before a Byrd-Adams show, and a newcomer named Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
took over for him. This eventually led to Hancock taking over the position permanently.
On the 1963 Byrd album A New Perspective
A New Perspective
A New Perspective is a 1963 album by jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd released on the Blue Note label as BLP 4124 and BST 84124. The performances are mainly in a hard bop style, but the recording also features a gospel choir....
, Pearson arranged
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
four tracks, including "Cristo Redentor", which became a big hit. The song, Pearson later commented, was inspired by a trip he took to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
while touring with Wilson. Also that year, after the death of Ike Quebec
Ike Quebec
Ike Quebec was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. His surname is pronounced KYOO-bek.Critic Alex Henderson wrote, "Though he was never an innovator, Quebec had a big, breathy sound that was distinctive and easily recognizable, and he was quite consistent when it came to down-home blues, sexy...
, Pearson took over his position as A&R man of Blue Note
Blue note
In jazz and blues, a blue note is a note sung or played at a slightly lower pitch than that of the major scale for expressive purposes. Typically the alteration is a semitone or less, but this varies among performers and genres. Country blues, in particular, features wide variations from the...
. From that year until 1970, Pearson was a frequent session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
and producer for numerous Blue Note albums while also recording his own albums as band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
leader
Leader
A leader is one who influences or leads others.Leader may also refer to:- Newspapers :* Leading article, a piece of writing intended to promote an opinion, also called an editorial* The Leader , published 1909–1967...
. This was odd, since Pearson also recorded with his co-led big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
with Byrd for Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, a stipulation he made sure was in his Atlantic contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
. The Byrd-Pearson band consisted of musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s such as Chick Corea
Chick Corea
Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer.Many of his compositions are considered jazz standards. As a member of Miles Davis' band in the 1960s, he participated in the birth of the electric jazz fusion movement. In the 1970s he formed Return to Forever...
, Pepper Adams
Pepper Adams
Park Frederick "Pepper" Adams III was a jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 43 pieces, was the leader on twenty albums, and participated in 600 sessions as a sideman.-Biography:...
, Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker
Randal "Randy" Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is a highly sought after performer in the genres of jazz, rock, and R&B, and has performed or recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Billy Cobham, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Sandip Burman, Charles Mingus, Blood, Sweat & Tears,...
, and Garnett Brown
Garnett Brown
Garnett Brown is a jazz trombonist who has worked with The Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, Lionel Hampton, and others.He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and later studied film scoring and electronic music at UCLA In 1974 he won the Down Beat Reader's poll for trombonist, and...
; the latter three were members also of the Thad Jones
Thad Jones
Thaddeus Joseph Jones was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader.-Biography:Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan to a musical family of ten . Thad Jones was a self taught musician, performing professionally by the age of sixteen...
-Mel Lewis
Mel Lewis
Mel Lewis was an American drummer, jazz musician and band leader. He was born Melvin Sokoloff in Buffalo, New York to Russian immigrant parents....
band that played the same night club, The Village Vanguard
Village Vanguard
The Village Vanguard is a jazz club located at in Greenwich Village, New York City. The club was opened on February 22, 1935, by Max Gordon. At first, it also featured other forms of music such as folk music and beat poetry, but it switched to an all-jazz format in 1957.-History:Over 100 jazz...
, but on different nights. Between the two ensembles, the musicians performed at their own discretion.
Pearson's compositions include the now standard, frequently covered "Jeannine", composed c. 1960, an early cover of which appears on the Cannonball Adderley album Them Dirty Blues
Them Dirty Blues
Them Dirty Blues is an album by The Cannonball Adderley Quintet, recorded in 1960.- Track listing :# “Work Song” – 5:07#“Dat Dere” – 5:29#“Easy Living” – 4:19...
(1960).
Pearson eventually retired from his position with Blue Note in 1971 after personnel changes were made; co-founder Alfred Lion
Alfred Lion
Alfred Lion was a Jewish German-born American record executive who co-founded Blue Note Records in 1939 Blue Note recorded many of the biggest names in jazz throughout the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.-Biography:...
retired in 1967 after the label was sold to Liberty Records
Liberty Records
Liberty Records was a United States-based record label. It was started by chairman Simon Waronker in 1955 with Al Bennett as president and Theodore Keep as chief engineer. It was reactivated in 2001 in the United Kingdom and had two previous revivals.-1950s:...
the previous year and co-founder Frank Wolff
Frank Wolff
Frank Wolff may refer to:*Frank Wolff , American actor who appeared in five Roger Corman productions and nearly fifty European-made films-Fictional characters:...
died in 1971. Pearson opted to teach at Clark College in 1971, toured with Carmen McRae
Carmen McRae
Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable...
and Joe Williams
Joe Williams (jazz singer)
Joe Williams was a well-known jazz vocalist, a baritone singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs, and jazz standards.-Early life:...
through 1973, and eventually reformed his big band during that time.
He was diagnosed
Medical diagnosis
Medical diagnosis refers both to the process of attempting to determine or identify a possible disease or disorder , and to the opinion reached by this process...
with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
in the 1970s, from which he died in 1980 at Atlanta Veterans Hospital.
As leader
- 1959: ProfileProfile (Duke Pearson album)Profile is the debut album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances by Pearson with Gene Taylor, and Lex Humphries recorded in 1959 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars....
(Blue Note) - 1959: Tender Feelin'sTender Feelin'sTender Feelin's is the second album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances originally recorded in 1959 and released on the Blue Note label....
(Blue Note) - 1961: Angel EyesAngel Eyes (Duke Pearson album)Angel Eyes is the third album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances by Pearson with Thomas Howard, and Lex Humphries originally recorded in 1959 for the Jazzline label but not released until 1968 on the Polydor label...
(PolydorPolydor RecordsPolydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
, also released as Bags Groove on Black LionBlack Lion RecordsBlack Lion Records was a jazz record label based in London, England.Black Lion was founded by Alan Bates in 1968. The label had two series of releases, one for British jazz musicians and one for international musicians...
with 3 alternate takes) - 1961: Dedication!Dedication!Dedication! is the fourth album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances originally recorded in 1961 for the Jazzline label but not released until 1970 on the Prestige label.-Reception:...
(PrestigePrestige RecordsPrestige Records was a jazz record label founded in 1949 by Bob Weinstock. The company was located at 203 South Washington Avenue in Bergenfield, New Jersey, and recorded hundreds of albums by many of the leading jazz musicians of the day, sometimes issuing them under the names of several...
) - 1962: Hush!Hush!Hush! is the fifth album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances by Pearson with Donald Byrd, and Johnny Coles originally recorded in 1962 and released on the short-lived Jazzline label...
(Jazztime) - 1964: Wahoo!Wahoo!Wahoo! is an album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson, featuring performances recorded in 1964 and released on the Blue Note label in 1965.-Reception:...
(Blue Note) - 1965: HoneybunsHoneybunsHoneybuns is the seventh album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances by Pearson's nonet recorded in 1965 and released on the Atlantic label in 1966.-Reception:...
(AtlanticAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
) - 1966: Prairie DogPrairie Dog (album)Prairie Dog is the eighth album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson, and his second for the Atlantic label, recorded in 1966.-Reception:...
(Atlantic) - 1966: Sweet Honey BeeSweet Honey BeeSweet Honey Bee is an album by the American jazz pianist and composer Duke Pearson, that was released on the Blue Note label in 1967.-Reception:...
(Blue Note) - 1967: The Right TouchThe Right TouchThe Right Touch is the tenth album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances recorded in 1967 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(Blue Note) - 1967: Introducing Duke Pearson's Big BandIntroducing Duke Pearson's Big BandIntroducing Duke Pearson's Big Band is the eleventh album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring big band performances recorded in 1967 and released on the Blue Note label...
(Blue Note) - 1968: The PhantomThe Phantom (album)The Right Touch is the twelfth album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances recorded in 1968 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(Blue Note) - 1968: Now Hear ThisNow Hear This (Duke Pearson album)Now Hear This is the thirteenth album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson. It features big band performances recorded in 1968 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(Blue Note) - 1969: How InsensitiveHow Insensitive (album)How Insensitive is the fourteenth album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances by Pearson's band augmented by a choir, recorded over three sessions in 1969 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(Blue Note) - 1969: Merry Ole SoulMerry Ole SoulMerry Ole Soul is a Christmas album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances recorded in 1969 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 2 stars.-Track listing:...
(Blue Note) - 1968-70: I Don't Care Who Knows ItI Don't Care Who Knows ItI Don't Care Who Knows It is an album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances recorded between 1968 and 1970. The album was released on the Blue Note label in 1996.-Reception:...
(Blue Note) - released 1996 - 1970: It Could Only Happen with YouIt Could Only Happen with YouIt Could Only Happen with You is the final album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances recorded in 1970 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1974.-Reception:...
(Blue Note) - released 1974
As sideman
With Donald ByrdDonald Byrd
Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II, is an American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd is best known as one of the only bebop jazz musicians who successfully pioneered the funk and soul genres while simultaneously remaining a...
- FuegoFuego (Donald Byrd album)Fuego is an album by American trumpeter Donald Byrd recorded in 1959 and released on the Blue Note label as BLP 4026 featuring Byrd with Jackie McLean, Duke Pearson, Doug Watkins, and Lex Humphries.-Reception:...
(1959) - Byrd in FlightByrd in FlightByrd in Flight is an album by American trumpeter Donald Byrd recorded in 1960 and released on the Blue Note label as BLP 4048 featuring Byrd with Jackie McLean or Hank Mobley, Duke Pearson, Doug Watkins or Reggie Workman, and Lex Humphries.-Reception:...
(1960) - At the Half Note CafeAt the Half Note CafeAt the Half Note Cafe is a live album by American trumpeter Donald Byrd recorded in 1960 at the Half Note in Manhattan and released on the Blue Note label originally as two single LP issues and reissued as a double CD set....
(1960) - The Cat WalkThe Cat WalkThe Cat Walk is an album by American trumpeter Donald Byrd recorded in 1961 and released on the Blue Note label in 1962 as BLP 4075.-Reception:...
(1960) - Fancy FreeFancy Free (Donald Byrd album)Fancy Free is an album by the American jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd, that was released on Blue Note records in 1970.The Allmusic review by Steve Huey awards this album with 3 stars and states: "Recorded just a few months after Miles Davis' In a Silent Way, Fancy Free finds Byrd leading a large...
(1970) - KofiKofi (album)Kofi is an album by American trumpeter Donald Byrd featuring performances by Byrd with Frank Foster, Lew Tabackin, Duke Pearson, Ron Carter, Bob Cranshaw, Airto Moreira, Wally Richardson, and Mickey Roker recorded in 1969 and 1970 and released on the Blue Note label in 1971.-Reception:The Allmusic...
(1969–70) - Electric ByrdElectric ByrdElectric Byrd is a jazz album released by Donald Byrd in 1970 .- Track listing :*"Estavanico" - 11:00*"Essence" - 10:30*"Xibaba" - 13:35*"The Dude" - 8:00...
(1970)
With Johnny Coles
Johnny Coles
Johnny Coles was an American jazz trumpeter.Coles spent his early career playing with R&B groups, including those of Eddie Vinson , Bull Moose Jackson , and Earl Bostic...
- Little Johnny CLittle Johnny CLittle Johnny C is an album by American trumpeter Johnny Coles recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars and stated "The typically impressive Blue Note lineup handles the obscure material with creative...
(1963)
With Grant Green
Grant Green
Grant Green was a jazz guitarist and composer....
- Idle MomentsIdle MomentsIdle Moments is a 1964 jazz album by guitarist Grant Green. The album, released on Blue Note, features performances by Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Blue Note in-house producer Duke Pearson on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Al Harewood on drums.The album is best...
(1963)
With Bobby Hutcherson
Bobby Hutcherson
Bobby Hutcherson is a jazz vibraphone and marimba player. His vibraphone playing is suggestive of the style of Milt Jackson in its free-flowing melodicism, but his sense of harmony and group interaction is thoroughly modern...
- The KickerThe Kicker (Bobby Hutcherson album)The Kicker is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson recorded in 1963 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1999.-Reception:...
(1963)
With Thad Jones
Thad Jones
Thaddeus Joseph Jones was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader.-Biography:Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan to a musical family of ten . Thad Jones was a self taught musician, performing professionally by the age of sixteen...
/Pepper Adams
Pepper Adams
Park Frederick "Pepper" Adams III was a jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 43 pieces, was the leader on twenty albums, and participated in 600 sessions as a sideman.-Biography:...
- Mean What You Say (1966)
With Carmen McRae
Carmen McRae
Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable...
- Carmen (1972)
As Arranger
- Donald Byrd - A New PerspectiveA New PerspectiveA New Perspective is a 1963 album by jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd released on the Blue Note label as BLP 4124 and BST 84124. The performances are mainly in a hard bop style, but the recording also features a gospel choir....
(1963), I'm Tryin' to Get HomeI'm Tryin' to Get HomeI'm Tryin' to Get Home is an album by American trumpeter Donald Byrd featuring performances by Byrd with a large brass section and vocalists recorded in 1964 and released on the Blue Note label in 1965 as BLP 4188.-Reception:...
(1964) - Grant Green - Am I BlueAm I Blue (album)Am I Blue is an album by American jazz guitarist Grant Green featuring performances recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(1963) - Antonio Diaz Mena - Eso Es Latin Jazz...Man! (1963)
- Hank MobleyHank MobleyHenry Mobley was an American hard bop and soul jazz tenor saxophonist and composer. Mobley was described by Leonard Feather as the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone", a metaphor used to describe his tone that was neither as aggressive as John Coltrane nor as mellow as Stan Getz...
- A Slice of the TopA Slice of the Top- Track listing :# "Hank's Other Bag" – 7:12# "There's a Lull in My Life" – 5:25# "Cute 'N Pretty" – 7:36# "Touch of Blue" – 8:46...
(1966) - Stanley TurrentineStanley TurrentineStanley William Turrentine, also known as "Mr. T" or "The Sugar Man", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Turrentine was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District into a musical family...
- Rough 'n' TumbleRough 'n' TumbleRough 'n' Tumble is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine recorded for the Blue Note label in 1966 and performed by Turrentine with Blue Mitchell, James Spaulding, Pepper Adams, McCoy Tyner, Grant Green, Bob Cranshaw, and Mickey Roker with arrangements by Duke Pearson.-Reception:The...
(1966), The SpoilerThe Spoiler (album)The Spoiler is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine recorded for the Blue Note label in 1966 and performed by Turrentine with Blue Mitchell, James Spaulding, Pepper Adams, McCoy Tyner, Julian Priester, Bob Cranshaw, and Mickey Roker with arrangements by Duke Pearson.-Reception:The...
(1966), A Bluish BagA Bluish BagA Bluish Bag is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine consisting of two sessions recorded for the Blue Note label in 1967 and arranged by Duke Pearson, the first featuing Donald Byrd and the second featuring McCoy Tyner.- Reception :...
(1967), The Return of the Prodigal SonThe Return of the Prodigal Son (album)The Return of the Prodigal Son is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine consisting of two sessions recorded for the Blue Note label in 1967 and arranged by Duke Pearson featuring McCoy Tyner-Reception:The Allmusic review by Michael G...
(1967), The Look of LoveThe Look of Love (Stanley Turrentine album)The Look of Love is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine recorded for the Blue Note label in 1968 and arranged by Duke Pearson and Thad Jones.-Reception:...
(1968) - Blue MitchellBlue MitchellRichard Allen Mitchell was an American jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and funk trumpeter, known for many albums recorded as leader and sideman for Riverside, Blue Note and then Mainstream Records.-Biography:...
- Boss HornBoss HornBoss Horn is an album by American trumpeter Blue Mitchell recorded in 1966 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Matt Collar awarded the album 4 stars and stated "Trumpeter Blue Mitchell delivers a solid hard bop date with his 1966 Blue Note release Boss Horn".-Track...
(1966), Heads Up!Heads Up! (album)Heads Up! is an album by American trumpeter Blue Mitchell recorded in 1967 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars.-Track listing:# "Heads Up! Feet Down!" - 5:59...
(1967) - Lee MorganLee MorganEdward Lee Morgan was an American hard bop trumpeter.-Biography:...
- StandardsStandards (Lee Morgan album)Standards is an album by jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan released on the Blue Note label. It was recorded on January 13, 1967 but not released until 1998 and features performances by Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Billy Higgins, James Spaulding, Pepper Adams and Mickey Roker with...
(1967) - Lou DonaldsonLou DonaldsonLou Donaldson is a jazz alto saxophonist. He was born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker.His first recordings were...
- Lush LifeLush Life (Lou Donaldson album)Lush Life is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1967 and featuring Donaldson with Freddie Hubbard, Garnett Brown, Jerry Dodgion, Wayne Shorter, Pepper Adams, McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, and Al Harewood performing arrangements by Duke Pearson...
(1967)