Besides Oscar Pettiford's rhythm and solo work, this tasteful album features a highly seasoned mixture of skilled associates. The presence of Ellington sidemen all point to Dukes influence that pervades the nonet date on this CD, highlighting top-rate arrangements by Quincy Jones and Gigi Gryce. Both solo and ensemble work throughout are sharply exciting.
On the octet session, the varied program consists of originals arranged by Ernie Wilkins, Tommy Talbert, Tom Whaley, and Gryce again. Maintaining an all-important vigor in execution, Oscar Pettiford and his groups add life and depth to their arrangers ideas with their individual and collective unity of feeling.
Tracklist
Total time: 56:31 min.
01. Jack The Bear (Ellington) 3:18
02. Tamalpais (Pettiford) 3:35
03. Swingin' Til The Girls Come Home (Pettiford) 3:57
04. Mood Indigo (Ellington-Bigard-Mills) 2:57
05. Chuckles (Terry) 2:44
06. Time On My Hands (Youmans-Adamson-Gordon) 3:13
07. Another One (Jones) 4:09
08. Minor Seventh Heaven (Pettiford) 4:08
09. Stardust (Carmichael-Parish) 3:31
10. Bohemia After Dark (Pettiford) 5:33
11. Oscalypso (Pettiford) 2:23
12. Scorpio (Williams) 3:44
13. Titoro (Taylor) 3:20
14. Dont Squawk (Pettiford) 4:16
15. Kammans A-Comin (Pettiford) 5:09
Album details
Sources:
Tracks #1-6, from the Bethlehem 10" album "Basically Duke" (BCP-1019)
Tracks #7-15, from the Bethlehem 12" album "Oscar Pettiford" (BCP-33)
Personnel and recording dates:
Tracks #1-6: Oscar Pettiford Nonet
Clark Terry, Joe Wilder (tp), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Dave Schildkraut (as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl,ts), Danny Bank (bs), Joe 'Earl' Knight (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Osie Johnson (d).
Recorded in New York, on Deceber 17, 1954
Tracks #7-15: Oscar Pettiford Octet
Donald Byrd, Ernie Royal (tp), Bob Brookmeyer (tb), Gigi Gryce (as), Jerome Richardson (fl,ts), Don Abney (p), Oscar Pettiford (b), Osie Johnson (d).
Recorded in New York, on August 12, 1955
Photography and cover design by Burt Goldblatt
Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol
24-Bit Digitally Remastered
