Personnel:
Dick Johnson (as), Dave McKenna, Bill Havemann (p), Chuck Sagle, Dave Poskonka, Wilbur Ware (b), Philly Joe Jones, Bob McKee (d)
Reference: FSRCD 528
Bar code: 8427328605281
Dick Johnson, was the lead alto sax in Buddy Morrows orchestra when he made his recording debut as a leader. Buddy featured Johnson most notably in a jazz quartet unit within the band, which helped him develop a considerable personal following during the bands frequent college concerts. Johnson also appeared at Newports Jazz Festival in 1957.
As a soloist, he was striking, apt to plunge from Charlie Parker-like cascades of 16th bars notes into a swing-era style, reminiscent of a modern Jimmy Dorsey. Besides Parker, he also revealed nuances of Art Pepper, Lee Konitz, and Paul Desmond, all distilled into a personal style. This CD compiles for the first time on one set his first two quartet albums from 1956 and 1957, when he surged towards the top ranks of jazz altoists.
