Personnel:
Tommy Potter (b), Rolf Ericson (tp), Ake Persson (tb), Erik Norstrom (ts), Lars Gullin, Stig Gabrielsson (bs), Freddie Redd (p), Joe Harris (d)
Reference: JC 1008
Bar code: 8427328510080
One of the best-respected bop bass players, Tommy Potter (1918-1988) was well-know as a member of the classic Charlie Parker quintet during the 1947-1950 period. He played alongside soloists such as Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, J.J. Johnson, Bud Powell, Duke Jordan, Al Haig, Max Roach, Fats Navarro, Stan Getz, and Count Basie's group, among many others.
This edition contains the only tracks Tommy Potter recorded as a leader. They were originally issued on various EPs by the Swedish label Metronome, and later reissued on a rare LP (Hard Funk) by the American label East-West, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records.
Recorded in a Stockholm studio in September 1956, during a Sweden two month tour by an All-American Bop All-Stars, in addition to bassist Tommy Potter, the remainder players of the sextet are Rolf Ericson on trumpet, Ake Persson on trombone, Gunnar Hacke Bjorksten (alias Woody Birch) or Erik Norstrom on tenor sax, Stig Gabrielsson on baritone sax, Freddie Redd on piano, and Joe Harris on drums.
This CD also includes the only eight titles recorded on the July 1956 concert that took place during the same tour by trumpeter Ericson, baritone sax Lars Gullin, pianist Redd, bassist Potter, and drummer Harris. The program four standards and four originals, one in trio format, and another one featuring the bass in every one of its solos.
"There is enough Swedish-American punsch in these performances to testify to the durability of hard funk An LP of first-rate emotional modern jazz."
-Leonard Feather
