Art Blakey A Night In Tunisia CD

1960 Rvg Remaster W/2 Bonus Tracks.

Full performer name: Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey (drums); Bobby Watson (alto saxophone); David Schnitter (tenor saxophone); Valery Ponomarev (trumpet); James Williams (piano); Dennis Irwin (bass).
Recorded at the Victor Studio, Tokyo, Japan on February 12, 1979.
Full performer name: Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey (drums); Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone); Lee Morgan (trumpet); Bobby Timmons (piano); Jymie Merritt (bass).
Producer: Alfred Lion.
Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna.
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on August 7 & 14, 1960. Includes liner notes by Barbara J. Gardner.
Personnel: Art Blakey (drums); Jackie McLean (alto saxophone, percussion); Johnny Griffin (tenor saxophone, percussion); Bill Hardman (trumpet, percussion); Sam Dockery (piano); Spanky De Brest (bass).
Producer: Bob Rolontz.
Reissue producer: Ben Young.
Recorded at RCA Studio 3, New York, New York on April 8, 1957. Originally released on Vik (1115). Includes liner notes by Nat Hentoff and Mark Gardner.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Art Blakey Quintet/The Jazz Messengers/Art Blakey/Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey; Lee Morgan (trumpet); Jymie Merritt (double bass); Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons.
Personnel: Art Blakey (drums); Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone); Lee Morgan Quintet (trumpet); Bobby Timmons (piano).
Audio Remasterer: Rudy Van Gelder.
Liner Note Authors: Bob Blumenthal; Barbara J. Gardner.
Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (08/07/1960/08/14/1960).
Photographer: Francis Wolff.
This excellent CD reissue has one of the best recordings by the second version of the Jazz Messengers, and it is the only time that Blakey featured both altoist Jackie McLean and tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin together; Griffin would soon be McLean's successor with the band. Also in the group at the time were trumpeter Bill Hardman, pianist Sam Dockery, and bassist Spanky DeBrest. The reissue has the original five selections: a lengthy version of "A Night in Tunisia," Sonny Rollins' "Evans," and an original apiece by McLean, Griffin, and Hardman. Three of the songs (including "A Night in Tunisia") are also heard in previously unreleased alternate takes. The music overall lives up to one's expectations, with Blakey's powerful drumming inspiring the soloists to play at their best. Classic hard bop. ~ Scott Yanow
Not to be confused with the earlier Art Blakey Blue Note album with the same name, this studio date recorded in Japan has languished somewhat in obscurity, perhaps because it revisits three songs well established by earlier and better known editions of the Jazz Messengers. Clocking in at just under 35 minutes, it's a little brief for a CD, but the music is first rate. The lineup features alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, pianist James Williams, and some musicians who haven't recorded nearly as extensively since leaving Blakey, including the Russian trumpeter Valery Ponomarev, tenor saxophonist David Schnitter, and bassist Dennis Irwin. The title track is a long one at 18 minutes, but none of the soloists run out of ideas and the rhythm section keeps the fires burning. Bobby Timmons' "Moanin'" is in good hands with Williams at the keyboard, as he is every bit as soulful. Blakey drives his band with a skilled introduction to "Blues March," though the ensemble passages seem a tad ragged. Although it can't be considered an essential Blakey CD, this now unavailable release is worth acquiring by fans of hard bop if found for a reasonable price. ~ Ken Dryden
The lengthy title track on this CD easily overshadows the rest of the program for it is one of the most exciting versions ever recorded of Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia." Trumpeter Lee Morgan (then only in his early 20s), tenor saxophonQ - Highly Recommended