Art Blakey: A Night At Birdland with Clifford Brown - Jazz Reference (CD)

Art Blakey (1919-1990)

CD

CD (Compact Disc)

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Label:: Dreyfus
Aufnahmejahr ca.:: 1954
UPC/EAN:: 3460503677920
Erscheinungstermin:: 31.10.2005

The reunion of five exceptional wizards in this live recording made in New York’s famous Birdland did not result from an incidental jam session, but nevertheless retains the spontaneity and joy of playing. Quite simply the great Art Blakey had had the lush idea of choosing a repertory ad hoc and practising it earnestly.

This mover of heaven and earth had already proved that, ever since his true debut in Billy Eckstine’s big band in 1944 as well as through various joint ventures with Thelonious Monk, Fats Navarro, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Buddy DeFranco and a hundred others, he could swing like crazy in any circumstance, while still respecting the discipline of the group. The great difference now was that he had recently stepped up in the shoes of the big boss. His Jazz Messengers had already been billed at Birdland in October 1953. Indeed, it was the same set-up as that included here on 21 February 1954, under the name of the Art Blakey Quintet, apart from trumpeter Kenny Dorham who was replaced by Clifford Brown. Without undermining Dorham’s talent, one must admit that this recording, which was to be ranked among the sublime, the irrefutable and an absolute must, reached such heights due to the explosive encounter of Blakey and Clifford, and also that of Clifford with Silver, not to mention that of Lou Donaldson who, on this particular night, climbed to unanticipated realms.

However, we must recall that these artists, who had all feasted from the same sources of the best bebop, funkyblues and swing had already met up and had realized they were meant to get on well. As from 1952 Blakey had been on disc as drummer in the Horace Silver trio, and both artists were called for a month later in Donaldson’s quintet. And in ’53 Clifford, during his first personal session, chose Art Blakey as percussionist. Still on the subject of musical chairs, we can add the June 1953 recording made by the Lou Donaldson / Clifford Brown Quintet.

The music invented by these five friends that night was galvanizing from start to finish. Adopting ideal tunes – we can particularly endorse the compositions of pianist Horace Silver – and in the company of a warm and supportive audience – including French pianist Henri Renaud who, after each piece, tried to be the first to clap in order to be included in the recording – the musicians developed solos oozing with ideas, ablaze with swing which continually bolstered the boss’ drums. Moreover, the document is one of the finest examples of Clifford Brown’sgenius, then aged twenty-four, and who was to disappear after a car accident two years later. A volume in this collection is dedicated to him – equally requisite as the present album.

Rezensionen

T. Hintze in Stereo 2/06: "Die beiden Bläser Lou Donaldson und Clifford Brown, aber auch Horace Silver am Klavier, spielen, als ob es um ihr Leben ginge. Allen voran der leider zu früh verstorbene Clifford Brown. Er bläst so souverän Trompete, dass man niemals das Gefühl hat, seine Technik könne mit den geradezu sprudelnden Ideen nicht Schritt halten."