Kenny Clarke Bohemia After Dark CD

Personnel: Kenny Clarke (drums); Julian "Cannonball" Adderley (alto saxophone); Jerome Richardson (tenor saxophone, flute); Donald Byrd (trumpet); Nat Adderley (cornet); Horace Silver, Hank Jones (piano); Paul Chambers (bass).
Along with Max Roach, Kenny Clarke was one of the definitive drummers of jazz's original bebop movement. By the time of the BOHEMIA AFTER DARK sessions (in June 1955), Clarke was firmly established as a bandleader. He probably didn't know it at the time but Clarke also made jazz history here, as BOHEMIA marks the recording debut of the soulful Adderley brothers--alto sax heavyweight Cannonball and ace cornetist/composer Nat. The brothers also contributed several tunes as well. This session is earnestly swinging bop with very good early-career work from pianist Horace Silver and bassist Paul Chambers.
Savoy Jazz reissues are always unpredictable and this CD by Cannonball Adderley is no exception. This music has appeared on earlier CDs, including Discoveries and The Summer of '55, though the ever-changing total times for each track and mysteriously switching take-numbers make one wonder whether or not to keep earlier editions. In any case, valuable music by Cannonball and brother Nat Adderley (on cornet) is present, including a strong cover of Oscar Pettiford's "Bohemia After Dark," a barely disguised reworking of "Sweet Georgia Brown" ("With Apologies to Oscar") and the leader's catchy "Caribbean Cutie." The Adderley brothers, who were making their major league jazz debut in the studio, hit one out of the park with their potent performances. The supporting cast is a good one, with Donald Byrd, Kenny Clarke, Jerome Richardson, Paul Chambers and either Horace Silver or Hank Jones on piano. If one does not already own the double-disc set The Summer of '55, this CD can be considered essential for any bop fan. ~ Ken Dryden
The June 26, 1955 session is most notable for being the recorded debut of the recently discovered altoist Cannonball Adderley and his brother, cornetist Nat (who is also featured on the lone number from July 26, a quartet version of "We'll Be Together Again"). Although drummer Kenny Clarke is the nominal leader and the other sidemen include trumpeter Donald Byrd, Jerome Richardson on tenor and flute, pianist Horace Silver and bassist Paul Chambers, the impressive performance by the young Adderleys makes this a historic session that has often been reissued under Cannonball's name. ~ Scott YanowDown Beat (9/96, p.59) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "It's easy to hear why everyone got excited when this date came out, which introduced Cannonball and Nat Adderley....Cannonball chomps off phrases with his signature smears and bluesy twists..."