Early Sessions

One of the top hard bop trumpeters to emerge during the 1950s, Joe Gordon was just 26 when he recorded the two sessions that are on this excellent reissue. The first eight numbers are from his debut as a leader, a quintet project from September 1954 that matches his boppish horn with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, pianist Junior Mance, bassist Jimmy Schneck, and drummer Art Blakey. The repertoire consists of two tunes by Gordon, three from Quincy Jones, and a trio of jazz standards. Gordon's only other set as a leader would be in 1961. The second half of this reissue is an Art Blakey pre-Jazz Messengers set comprised of seven songs by altoist Gigi Gryce and one Horace Silver tune. Gordon and Gryce blend together quite well while joined by pianist Walter Bishop, bassist Bernie Griggs, Blakey, and, during "Futurity," Sabu on conga. Both of these albums, reissued in full on a single CD, were originally cut for the Emarcy label. Easily recommended to hard bop collectors. ~ Scott Yanow|