Illinois Jacquet

With Sir Charles Thompson, Leo Parker, Joe Newman, Bil Doggett, Charles Mingus, Fredie Gren, Denzil Best, Wynonie Harris

Features 16 Jacquet sides plus five alternate takes and two Wynonie Harris vocals with accompanimet by Jacquet and his group
Total time: 66 minutes

Issued in 2002, this excellent Illinois Jacquet compilation finds the Texas-bred saxophone player leading his ensemble through a set of top-notch mid-1940s sessions. While Jacquet is easily the main attraction with his boisterous tenor playing (see the lively "Bottoms Up" and a speedy rendition of Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside"), these dates are also notable for the presence of a young bassist, one Charles Mingus, who would of course go on to become one of the greatest jazz composers of the late '50s and early '60s. For Jacquet fans, Mingus completists, and/or jump-blues aficionados in general, JUMPIN' AT APOLLO is a noteworthy release.

Recorded in Los Angeles, August 2, 1945.
New York, August, 1946 & May 21, 1947.

3,5****Penguin Guide