J.J. Johnson

4 1/2 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

PERSONNEL:

J.J. JOHNSON, trombone
CLIFFORD JORDAN, tenor sax
FREDDY HUBBARD, trumpet
CEDAR WALTON, piano
ARTHUR HARPER, bass
ALBERT HEATH, drums

New York, August 1, 1960.

SIDE A:

01. Mohawk     
02. Minor Mist     
03. In Walked Horace

SIDE B:
    
01. Fatback     
02. Aquarius     
03. Shutter-Bug

He was a shining example for many European modern-jazz trombonists: J. J. Johnson, the man from Indianapolis, and the swinging half of the pair Jay and Kai. (Kai Winding was the white guy with the “cool” sound.) On this Columbia LP, recorded in August 1960, we can experience J. J. in three ways – as a soloist, composer, and arranger. To this is added a superbly well-rehearsed combo consisting of Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Jordan and one of the very best rhythm groups of late hard bop: Cedar Walton, Arthur Harper, and Albert Heath on the drums.