Booker Littlewas the first trumpet soloist to emerge in jazz after the death of Clifford Brown to have his own sound. His tragically brief life (he died at age 23 later in 1961) cut short what would have certainly been a major career. Little, on this sextet date with multi-reedist Eric Dolphy, trombonist JulianPriester, and drummer Max Roach, shows that his playing was really beyond bebop. His seven now-obscure originals (several of which deserve to be revived) are challenging for the soloists and there are many strong moments during these consistently challenging and satisfying performances. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. We Speak
02. Strength and Sanity
03. Quiet Please
04. Moods in Free Time
05. Man of Words
06. Hazy Blues
07. A New Day
ART DAVIS bass (1, 3, 7)
RON CARTER bass ( 2, 4, 5, 6)
MAX ROACH drums, vibraphone
DON FRIEDMAN piano
JULIAN PRIESTER trombone
BOOKER LITTLE trumpet
ERIC DOLPHY alto saxophone, flute, bass clarinet
Music composed by Booker Little
Recorded at Nola Penhouse Studios, New York City, March 17th & April 4th, 1961
Candid – CCD 79027