Buck Clayton: Complete Legendary Jam Sessions Master Takes auf 3 CDs

Featuring: Buck Clayton, Joe Newman, Billy Butterfield, Ruby Braff, Urbie Green, Benny Powell, Woody Herman, Henderson Chambers, Trummy Young, Al Cohn, Julian Dash, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy Tate, Charles Fowlkes, Sir Charles Thompson, Jimmy Jones, Billy Kyle, Freddie

The label “A Black Clayton Jam Session” was the generic denomination given to a series of recordings made in the early days of the 12-inch LP disc that combined two propitious and providential circumstances: the advantageous possibilities wich were being offered by the new technology of a longer recording time, and the growing popularity of a certain jazz style wich came to be referred to as “mainstream”.

These seminal recordings showcase many of the finest mainstream jazz musicians at the peak of their careers, during the early to mid-1950s, when most straightahead musicians were no longer seen as a worthy “commercial investment.” Sadly enough, many of these legendary instrumentalists would never be recorded again.

We are extremely fortunate to have these dates today, both for their musical and historical significance. The players seemed to sense that something special was happening and rose to the occasion with stellar performances; and above all else soared Clayton’s lyrical horn, gliding over the whole procession with masterfully crafted solos and unparalleled lyricism.

An oustanding example of stretching out from the jam session era featuring a swinging band with Buck Clayton, Joe Newman, Billy Butterfield, Ruby Braff, Urbie Green, Benny Powell, Woody Herman, Henderson Chambers, Trummy Young, Al Cohn, Julian Dash, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy Tate, Charles Fowlkes, Sir Charles Thompson, Jimmy Jones, Billy Kyle, Freddie Greene, Walter Page, Milt Hinton, Jo Jones, among others. (freshsoundrecords. com)