Q In The Jazz, The

This whopping three-disc, 36-track collection of the music of Quincy Jones -- as a bandleader, composer, pianist, producer, and arranger -- dates from the years 1951-1956. This five-year period documents Jones' exclusive work in the field of jazz and his brilliant move toward soundtrack work as well, which took him toward the mainstream of popular music as an auteur. Jones is surrounded here by an astonishing array of players including the Adderley Brothers, Betty Carter, Ray Bryant, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, Urbie Green, Milt Jackson, Philly Joe Jones, Wynton Kelly, Melba Liston, Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, Dinah Washington, Al Cohn, Sonny Stitt, Kenny Clarke, and dozens of others. Whether he is performing his own early material such as "Bum's Rush," "Tuma," or "Quince," offering a reading of a standard such as "My Old Flame" or "Stardust," or leading an arrangement by one of his bandmates such as Gigi Gryce's "Up in Quince's Room" or Farmer's brilliant finger-popper "Mau Mau," the result is the same: refreshingly bold charts, exceptional harmonics, and inspired performances from his bands. Jones was able to inspire and draw out the best in players from many schools of jazz regardless of reputation or ability, and the proof is all here. This is a stellar collection, with fine sound and decent notes, and it is offered at a great price point. ~ Thom Jurek|