Jimmy Smith – “What Is This Thing Called Love”

Jimmy Smith – “Confirmation”

From “Confirmation” : 1958 : Blue Note LT 992

A really nice blowing session from 1958 that was not released in the US until 1979 (Blue Note aficionados will recognize the artwork as part of the Blue Note LT series releases that began that year).  The album features two different sextets which fortunately included most of the cream of Blue Note’s roster at the time.  The players easily latch on to Smith’s steady lead and make this album a bit more interesting than some of the other jam sessions released around this time.   The 1979 LP release consisted of only 3 tracks (Confirmation took up all of Side 2) and as far as I know this material has never been released in CD form.  Any Jimmy Smith recording on Blue Note is a worthwhile listen, and with the addition of a young Lee Morgan and Kenny Burrell sitting in on both sessions (Confirmation was recorded a year later than the other 2 tracks) and you’ve got a great addition to Smith’s already legendary discography.

Players:
Jimmy Smith – Organ
Lee Morgan – Trumpet
Curtis Fuller – Trombone on What Is This Thing Called Love?
Lee Donaldson – Alto Sax on Confirmation
Tina Brooks – Tenor Sax on Confirmation
George Coleman – Alto Sax on What Is This Thing Called Love?
Kenny Burrell – Guitar
Art Blakey – Drums on Confirmation
Donald Bailey – Drums on What Is This Thing Called Love?

Hank Jones & Frank Wess – “All Or Nothing At All”

Hank Jones & Frank Wess – “A Hankerin’”

Hank Jones & Frank Wess – “You Made A Good Move”

From “Hank and Frank” : 2006 : Lineage Records

The term “jazz legend” gets tossed around pretty loosely these days, but there is little doubt that the great Hank Jones is deserving of the title.  He was named an NEA Jazz Master in 1989 (full list here), received the National Medal of the Arts in 2008 and was honored with a lifetime achievement Grammy award in 2009.  Unlike his more high profile brothers (trumpeter Thad and drummer Elvin), Hank Jones played the role of sideman to perfection for most of his career.  It was not until much later in life that he began to make a name for himself as a successful headliner.  The NY Times reported that he was planning a tour of Europe when he passed away on March 17th at the age of 91.

Hank Jones and the horn player Frank Wess first played together in the 1950′s and reunited in 2006 for the excellent “Hank and Frank” recording.  The album features a stellar lineup of players and stands as both an excellent introduction and a fine tribute to the skills of one of jazz’s great pianists.

For more on Hank Jones, check out Jazz Times excellent feature article on him from January of 2009.

Players:
Hank Jones – Piano
Frank Wess – Tenor and Flute
Ilya Lushtak – Guitar
John Webber – Bass
Mickey Roker – Drums