THE QUINTET - Jazz At Massey Hall (Craft Jazz Essentials) - LP - Vinyl

LP - Indies Only Craft Jazz Essentials Limited Edition Black Vinyl.  

One of the most famous live recordings in jazz history, this May 1953 concert from Toronto brought together five of bebop's greatest figures in alto saxophonist Charlie Parker (credited here as "Charlie Chan" in a purposely transparent attempt to sidestep Parker's exclusive recording arrangement with another record company), trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, pianist Bud Powell, drummer Max Roach, and bassist Charles Mingus. Released following Parker's death two years after the date, the recording finds him in remarkable form, his playing robust, pointed, and witty. And although each participant is a band leader, composer, and groundbreaking stylist on his instrument, the performance demonstrates that Parker remained first among equals.

The hall was three-quarters empty (the promoters had overlooked the coinciding heavyweight championship match between Marciano and Walcott). But the true heavyweights were onstage, and the results have been knocking out the world of jazz ever since.  

Compositionally, Jazz at Massey Hall leans heavily on the bebop book developed by Gillespie, and includes "Salt Peanuts," "Wee," and "A Night in Tunisia." Also featured are Tadd Dameron's "Hot House," the Ellington standard "Perdido," and "All the Things You Are." Initially released on Debut Records, a label co-owned by Mingus and Roach, the sound quality is certainly of the time, but has benefited over the years from digital technology. - Fred Goodman

Tracklist: 

Side A
1. Perdido [7:06]
2. Salt Peanuts [7:30]
3. All The Things You Are [7:55]

Side B
1. Wee [6:45]
2. Hot House [9:18]
3. A Night In Tunisia [7:33]