Al Cohn

Featuring: Zoot Sims, Al Cohn (ts), Phil Woods (as), Mose Allison (p), Knobby Totah (b), Paul Motian (d)

This is improvised modern jazz at its best, just as it was presented nightly at the Half Note, one of New York’s top jazz spots! The recording took place during a successful Zoot Sims-Al Cohn quintet engagement early in 1959, with altoist Phil Woods joining in on two tunes. These performances give the listener ample opportunity to enjoy the solo improvisations and interplay of the saxophonists. The rhythm section is devoted primarily to back the hornmen, but Mose Allison’s solo piano is not to be dismissed.

If you never had the chance to visit the Half Note, then this set is a must.

Tracklisting:

01. Lover Come Back to Me (Hammerstein, Romberg) 9:01
02. It Had to Be You (Jones-Kahn) 10:14
03. Wee Dot (Johnson-Parker) 8:58
04. After You’ve Gone (Creamer-Layton) 11:25

Total time: 39:49 min.

Originally issued in LP as United Artists UAS 5040.

Personnel:
Zoot Sims, Al Cohn (ts), Phil Woods (as on tracks #3 & 4), Mose Allison (p), Knobby Totah (b) and Paul Motian (d).

Recorded live at the Half Note, New York City, February 6 & 7 (#3-4), 1959.


Produced by Jack Lewis.