Outstanding
Swing King | Cincinnati, OH USA | 02/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jay Jay Johnson (b. James Louis, 1924-2001) was playing piano by age nine, briefly studied the baritone saxophone, and at the age of fourteen played trombone for his high school marching band and in the local YMCA brass marching band. When Johnson turned eighteen, he left home and joined the Snookum Russell traveling band and in 1942 toured the next three years with Benny Carter.
"J.J. Johnson: Savoy, Prestige & Sensation Complete Early Master Takes" basically covers the years between 1946 and 1949, with a rare 1948 Sensation session joined by Russell Jacquet. There are six sessions on this disc, of which I will list for you and provide vital information on sidemen for you.
Tracks 1 to 4 have been taken from a June 26, 1946 session by Jay Jay Johnson's Be-Boppers. The sidemen for this occasion are: Cecil Payne (alto sax), Bud Powell (piano), Leonard Gaskin (bass), and Max Roach (drums).
Tracks 5 to 8 have been taken from a December 24, 1947 session by Jay Jay Johnson's Bop Quintet. The sidemen for this occasion are: Leo Parker (baritone sax), Hank Jones (piano), Al Lucas (bass), and Shadow Wilson (drums).
Tracks 9 to 12 have been taken from a May 11, 1949 session by Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers. The sidemen for this occasion are: Sonny Rollins (tenor sax), John Lewis (piano), Gene Ramey (bass), and Shadow Wilson (drums).
Tracks 13 to 16 have been taken from a May 26, 1949 session by Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers. The sidemen for this occasion are: Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Sonny Rollins (tenor sax), John Lewis (piano), Leonard Gaskin (bass), and Max Roach (drums).
Tracks 17 to 20 have been taken from an October 17, 1949 session by Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers. The sidemen for this occasion are: Sonny Stitt (tenor sax), John Lewis (piano), Nelson Boyd (bass), and Max Roach (drums).
Tracks 21 to 24 have been taken from a December, 1948 session by Russell Jacquet and His All Stars. The musicians for this occasion are: Russell Jacquet (trumpet), Sonny Stitt (alto sax), Maurice Simon (tenor sax), Leo Parker (baritone sax), Sir Charles Thompson (piano), Al Lucas (bass), and Shadow Wilson (drums).
This album is well worth the investment, rewarding you with 24-bit high resolution analog to digital transfer and was mastered to 16-bit. The sound quality is excellent, as they used Sonic Solutions NoNoise technology. Very rewarding purchase!
"
Track Listings (24) - Disc #1