Oscar Pettiford

Personnel: Clark Terry, Joe Wilder, Donald Byrd, Ernie Royal (tp), Jimmy Cleveland, Bob Brookmeyer (tb), Dave Schildkraut, Gigi Gryce (as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Jerome Richardson (fl, ts), Danny Bank (bars), Joe Earl Knight, Don Abney (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), and Osie Johnson (d).

Besides Oscar Pettiford’s rhythm and solo work, this tasteful album features a highly seasoned mixture of skilled associates. The presence of Ellington sidemen all point to Duke’s influence that pervades the nonet date on this CD, highlighting top-rate arrangements by Quincy Jones and Gigi Gryce. Both solo and ensemble work throughout are sharply exciting. On the octet session, the varied program consists of originals arranged by Ernie Wilkins, Tommy Talbert, Tom Whaley, and Gryce again. Maintaining an all-important vigor in execution, Oscar Pettiford and his groups add life and depth to their arrangers’ ideas with their individual and collective unity of feeling.

Tacklisting:

01. Jack The Bear 3:18
02. Tamalpais 3:35
03. Swingin’ ‘Til The Girls Come Home 3:57
04. Mood Indigo 2:57
05. Chuckles 2:44
06. Time On My Hands 3:13
07. Another One 4:09
08. Minor Seventh Heaven 4:08
09. Stardust 3:31
10. Bohemia After Dark 5:33
11. Oscalypso 2:23
12. Scorpio 3:44
13. Titoro 3:20
14. Don’t Squawk 4:16
15. Kamman’s A-Comin’ 5:09

All tracks recorded in New York, 1954-1955.