Clifford Brown Memorial (Ojc) CD

Recorded in New York, New York on June 11, 1953; Stockholm, Sweden on September 15, 1953. Originally released on LP on Prestige (7055). Includes liner notes by Ira Gitler.

Digitally remastered by Joe Tarantino (Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).

This inaccurately named "Memorial" album is a reissue of two recording sessions by Clifford Brown made in 1953 and 1954 with an alternative take added to the CD to bring it close to 45 minutes of music. These recording events took place about halfway between Brown's two serious car accidents, the last in 1956 was the fatal one. The first four tracks were cut while Brown and Art Farmer were on a European tour with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra with a group called the Swedish All Stars. The remaining tracks were done with a group headed by Tadd Dameron. Like most of his recordings as a leader, Dameron compositions and arrangements made up the musical play list. Both these performances represented another step in Brown's musical development that came to fruition in 1954. Then he and Max Roach formed their quintet where their collaboration produced what was to become known as hard bop. But at this juncture in Brown's career, he had not yet reached the apex of his musicianship, or as much of an apex as he could with a life cut so short. With regard to the Dameron-led performances, his arrangements are interesting and compelling but, with the passage of time, they turn out to be not all that memorable. Of special note is Brown's swinging on "Philly J.J." and his muted horn on "Theme of No Repeat." There's plenty of top-notch playing as might be expected from this all-star group.

The Stockholm tracks are more commanding as Brown and Farmer are tamed with cream of the crop Swedish musicians in a high-voltage blowing session. The ensemble works and the solos are first-rate. Acclaimed Swedish tenor sax man, Arne Domnerus, shines on Quincy Jones' "Stockholm Sweetnin'" and on "Lover Come Back to Me." Domnerus' squeaking on the latter indicates he was having a problem with his reed. But it's Brown and Farmer who carry the musical load, trading choruses throughout. Their solos on "Lover Come Back to Me" are poignant with a dash of astringency to give them a bite. All in all, this so-called memorial album is very satisfying and should attract both Clifford Brown and straight-ahead jazz fans. ~ Dave Nathan

Trumpeter Clifford Brown is heard here in two unusual and unrelated sessions. On four selections, Brown is featured with arranger/pianist Tadd Dameron's Orchestra; other soloists include Benny Golson on tenor and altoist Gigi Gryce. The other date was recorded in Sweden while Brown was touring with Lionel Hampton's Orchestra. Clifford Brown and fellow trumpeter Art Farmer play four Quincy Jones arrangements with a Swedish group that includes altoist Arne Domnerus, baritonist Lars Gullin, and pianist Bengt Hallberg. "Lover Come Back to Me" really cooks and Brownie and Farmer get to trade off in exciting fashion during "'Scuse These Blues." ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel: Clifford Brown (trumpet); Arne Domnerus, Gigi Gryce (alto saxophone); Benny Golson (tenor saxophone); Lars Gullin, Oscar Estell (baritone saxophone); Idrees Sulieman, Art Farmer (trumpet); Herb Mullins, Ake Persson (trombone); Tadd Dameron, Bent Hallberg (piano); Gunnar Johnson, Percy Heath (bass); Philly Joe Jones, Jack Noren (drums).

Engineers include: Doug Hawkins.