2 LPs ON 1 CD

A superb craftsman and an accomplished soloist, arranger, composer and educator, pianist Norman Simmons was born in Chicago in 1929. By 1954 he was leading a popular trio in his home town, where it became the group of choice for such visiting greats as Lester Young, Wardell Gray, Charlie Parker, Ben Webster, and Dexter Gordon.

Simmons made his recording debut with his trio on this 1956 Argo album, sensitively accompanied by bassist Victor Sproles and drummer Vernell Fournier, his impeccable swing, taste, judgment and technique - and a trio approach redolent of pianist Billy Taylor’s - are evident throughout a varied programme of originals and standards. The ballads, Moonlight in Vermont and My Funny Valentine, in particular show an exquisite feel for the form.

Bassist Richard Evans, born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1932 but raised in Chicago, had an enviably multifaceted CV by the time he made his leader debut on record with “Richard’s Almanac” in 1959, also for Argo. Experience with the Sun Ra Arkestra, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson and as one of singer Dinah Washington’s accompanists, ensured he knew how to deliver. Leading a trio enhanced by the excellent work of pianist Jack Wilson and drummer Robert Barry, he offers a mobile fulcrum for an engagingly varied programme of standards and originals, deft, accessible and always swinging.

PERSONNEL:

[1-11] from the Norman Simmons’ album Norman Simmons Trio

NORMAN SIMMONS, piano
VICTOR SPROLES, bass
VERNELL FOURNIER, drums
Chicago, October 1956

[12-21] from the Richard Evans’ album Richard’s Almanac

JACK WILSON, piano
RICHARD EVANS, bass
ROBERT BARRY, drums
Chicago, July 21, 22 & 23, 1959

TRACKS:

01. Capacity in Blues
02. Stella by Starlight
03. Jan
04. My Funny Valentine
05. Peppe
06. Chili Bowl
07. Moonlight in Vermont
08. You Do Something to Me
09. Love Is Eternal
10. They Can’t Take That Away From Me
11. Tranquility
12. Trees
13. Vera
14. I’m Glad There Is You
15. The Preacher
16. Crazy Rhythm
17. Bye Bye, Blackbird
18. Daybreak
19. Consu
20. Should I?
21. Jeepers Creepers