Also known as Blues A La Carte, this Vee Jay disc has tenor-saxophonist Wayne Shorter's first session as a leader and it shows that, even at this early stage, Shorter was far along toward developing his own sound. Teamed up with trumpeter Lee Morgan, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb, the six selections (five of which are Shorter originals) capture the young tenor shortly after he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. The music is essentially hard bop and, although none of these Shorter tunes caught on, the music is quite enjoyable. A special treat is the one standard of the date, a swinging version of "Mack The Knife." - Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. Blues A La Carte
02. Harry's Last Stand
03. Down In The Depths
04. Pug Nose
05. Black Diamond
06. Mack The Knife (Weill/Blitzstein)
Alternate Takes
07. Blues A La Carte
08. Harry's Last Stand
09. Down In The Depths
10. Black Diamond
WAYNE SHORTER tenor saxophone
WYNTON KELLY piano
LEE MORGAN trumpet
PAUL CHAMBERS bass
JIMMY COBB drums
Music composed by Wayne Shorter except (6)
Recorded November 10, 1959 at Bell Sound Studios, New York City
Vee Jay Records - VJ-007