Best Of Clifford Brown-The Blue Note Years CD

Digitally remastered using 20-but technology by Ron McMaster.

Clifford Brown was perhaps the best jazz trumpeter of his generation, or any for that matter. Brown played with an effortless grace, and his music was always filled with plenty of heart and soul; he wasn't just a clever technician like some academic jazzers. While fans often concentrate on his ability to play scorching solos, Brown could also play dreamy ballads like few others. When he died in a 1956 car wreck at the age of 25, it was one of the greatest losses jazz had suffered up to that point.

On this Blue Note BEST OF collection, Brownie (as he was called) is in superb form. The album opens with a burning version of "Brownie Speaks," and this track is followed by the contemplative, "You Go to My Head." The set also includes "Hymn of the Orient," which begins with an Asian-influenced piano intro by John Lewis of Modern Jazz Quartet fame. Brown's originals "Daahoud" and the well-known "Joy Spring" are also presented here. The compilation closes with a remarkable extended (nearly 10-minute) version of Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia."

Recorded at WOR Studios, New York, New York on June 9 & 22, 1953; Audio Video Studios, New York, New York on August 28, 1953; Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, California in July 1954; live at Birdland, New York, New York on Feberuary 21, 1954. Includes liner notes by David Weiss.

Compilation producer: Michael Cuscuna.

Engineers: Doug Hawkins, Alan Emig, Rudy Van Gelder.

Personnel: Clifford Brown (trumpet); Gigi Gryce (flute, alto saxophone); Lou Donaldson (alto saxophone); Jimmy Heath, Zoot Sims, Charlie Rouse (tenor saxophone); Bob Gordon (baritone saxophone); J.J. Johnson (trombone); Stu Williamson (valve trombone); John Lewis, Elmo Hope, Horace Silver, Russ Freeman (piano); Kenny Clarke, Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey, Shelly Manne (drums).

Recording information: Audio Video Studios, NY (06/09/1953-02/21/1954); Birdland, New York, NY (06/09/1953-02/21/1954); Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA (06/09/1953-02/21/1954); WOR STudios, New York, NY (06/09/1953-02/21/1954).

Photographer: Francis Wolff.

Arranger: Jack Montrose.

Personnel: Clifford Brown (trumpet); Gigi Gryce (alto saxophone, flute); Lou Donaldson (alto saxophone); Zoot Sims, Charlie Rouse, Jimmy Heath (tenor saxophone); Bob Gordon (baritone saxophone); J.J. Johnson (trombone); Stu Williamson (valve trombone); John Lewis, Elmo Hope, Russ Freeman, Horace Silver (piano); Percy Heath, Joe Mondragon, Curly Russell, Carson Smith (bass); Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey, Shelly Manne, Kenny Clarke (drums).

Producers: Richard Bock, Alfred Lion.