Tag Archives: Blue Mitchell

Listening Room – “Portrait of Cannonball”

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This was Cannonball Adderley’s first record for Riverside and was the start of a very successful run of albums he would produce for the label.  “Portrait of Cannonball” is a prime example of Adderley at his hard bop best and he assembled a great group of like-minded players such as Bill Evans on piano and Blue Mitchell on trumpet.  The album only has a couple of of original tunes, but the song choices are excellent, including Blue Funk written by Sam Jones and a classic version of Gigi Gryce’s Minority.

Portrait of Cannonball
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Released 1958  :  Riverside Records  :  Catalog # RLP 12-269

Players:
Cannonball Adderley – Alto Sax
Blue Mitchell – Trumpet
Bill Evans – Piano
Sam Jones – Bass
Philly Joe Jones – Drums

Cannonball Adderley – Minority from “Portrait of Cannonball”

Cannonball Adderley – Blue Funk from “Portrait of Cannonball”

Listening Room – “Blowin’ The Blues Away”

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An incomparable classic by Horace Silver, this 1959 Blue Note recording features his classic quintet (with Blue Mitchell, Junior Cook, Gene Taylor and Louis Hayes) at their absolute peak.  Featuring all but one Silver composition, the album has at least two tracks that have become modern jazz standards (Peace, Sister Sadie) and there is not really a weak track to be found.  While it is a futile argument to try and find Silver’s best record, “Blowin’ The Blues Away” is a masterpiece from start to finish and has to be heard by anyone interested in the history of jazz music.

silverblues
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Released 1959  :  Blue Note Records  :  Catalog #BLP 4017

Players:
Horace Silver – Piano
Junior Cook – Tenor Sax
Blue Mitchell – Trumpet
Gene Taylor – Bass
Louis Hayes – Drums

Horace Silver – Break City from “Blowin’ The Blues Away”

Horace Silver – Sister Sadie from “Blowin’ The Blues Away”

Listening Room – “Takin’ Care of Business”

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This 1960 date was recorded just as Charlie Rouse began what would be a decade long association with Thelonious Monk.  This was Rouse’s first record leading his own group, in this case a quintet including the young talents of trumpeter Blue Mitchell and drummer Art Taylor.  The record features some great straight-ahead jazz including the Randy Weston composed track 204 and Rouse’s own Upptankt.

Takin' Care of Business
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Released 1960  :  Jazzland Records  :  Catalog # JP-919

Players:
Charlie Rouse – Tenor Sax
Blue Mitchell – Trumpet
Walter Bishop, Jr. – Piano
Earl May – Bass
Art Taylor – Drums

Charlie Rouse – 204 from “Takin’ Care of Business”

Charlie Rouse – Upptankt from “Takin’ Care of Business”

Listening Room – “Big 6″

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Big 6

Blue Mitchell – “Blues March”

Blue Mitchell – “Sir John”

From “Big 6” : 1958 : Riverside Records

This was trumpeter Blue Mitchell’s debut recording in 1958 for Riverside Records.  Mitchell put together an all-star sextet of young playes each of whom are now jazz legends.  “Big 6″ featured the debut recording of Benny Golson’s Blues March as well as two Mitchell originals including Sir John.

Players:
Blue Mitchell – Trumpet
Johnny Griffin – Tenor Sax
Curtis Fuller – Trombone
Wynton Kelly – Piano
Wilbur Ware – Bass
Philly Joe Jones – Drums