Personnel:
Donald Byrd (tp), Julius Baker (fl), Romeo Penque (cl), Clare Fischer (p, arr, cond), Milt Hinton (b), Osie Johnson (d), Harry Lookofsky, Gene Orloff (strings), Ray Santisi (p), Doug Watkins (b), Jimmy Zitano (d)
Reference: LHJ10225
Bar code: 8436019582251
Donald Byrd and Clare Fischers 1957 New York studio collaboration is important for several reasons. For one, it marks Fischers first recording since January 1953, as well as his debut as the sole arranger for an album. It is equally important for Donald Byrd, as it remains the only album that the trumpeter ever made with string accompaniment.
Also included on this outstanding release is a New York, May 7, 1956 quartet session featuring the trumpeter backed by pianist Ray Santisi, bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Jimmy Zitano. Although this date varies greatly from Donald Byrd & Clare Fischers session with strings, we have decided to include it here in its entirety as bonus tracks, due to the dates equally unusual format. While Byrd recorded countless CDs in a quintet or sextet setting, the May 7, 1956 date is one of only two sessions that Byrd recorded as a leader in a quartet setting.
