The Complete Pacific Jazz Sessions

Gil Evans released two records on World Pacific in 1958 and 1959. They were among his earliest dates as a leader. Gil Evans & Ten was issued by Prestige in 1957, but these dates stand out more. New Bottle, Old Wine was the first of the pair and the band included four trumpets, a trio of trombones, French horn (played by Julius Watkins), a pair of tubas, Cannonball Adderley as the lone saxophonist, and a rhythm section that included either Philly Joe Jones or Art Blakey on drums, Paul Chambers on bass, and Chuck Wayne on guitar. The reading of King Porter Stomp is the stunner here, with Adderleys solo being a prized moment. There isnt a weak cut in the whole mess, though. Other standouts include Fats Wallers Willow Tree, Lester Leaps In, with great solos by Wayne and Adderley, the burning finale of Dizzy Gillespies Manteca, and Charlie Parkers Bird Feathers closing it out. The second of these albums, Great Jazz Standards, featured a similar band with some notable differences. For one, the inclusion of soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy as a soloist and rhythm sections that included either Dennis Charles or Elvin Jones on drums, Curtis Fuller on trombone, and Budd Johnson on tenor for about half the set. The finer moments here include Ballad of the Sad Young Men (a newish tune at the time with a fine piano solo by Evans) and John Lewis Django, with a truly brilliant and understated solo by Lacy, who also does a commendable job on Straight No Chaser. Johnson wails on Gil Evans La Nevada (Theme). Evans arrangement of Clifford Browns Joy Spring is also a killer, with his and guitarist Ray Crawfords solos. The Complete Pacific Jazz Sessions is a fine collection issued by Blue Note, which, as part of the Connoisseur Series, is limited and will be out of print again soon. Dont wait. ~ Thom Jurek