'Round Midnight

Velvet toned tenor saxophonist Stan Getz gigged all over northern Europe and Scandinavia from the summer of 1958 through the autumn of 1960. Jazz Hour presents a wonderful album of live recordings made between June 1958 and October 1959 in Frederiksstad, Norway, Copenhagen and Aabenraa, Denmark, and Paris France. Getz found himself collaborating with fellow expatriates and native Europeans alike; noteworthy members of both categories are Kenny Clarke, Martial Solal, Pierre Michelot and Oscar Pettiford, who personally absorbs and consumes much of the "Laverne Walk," transforming it into a bass solo of unforgettable organic immediacy. This is a delightful collection of hard bop and cool jazz the way it sounded and felt in the clubs of Europe during the Khrushchev/Eisenhower era. It is highly recommended for seasoned jazz lovers as well as for those who are new to the tradition and want to know what it's all about. ~ arwulf arwulf|