Customer Reviews

Letter From Home

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Eddie Jefferson believed that the addition of words in keeping with the spirit of the modern jazz instrumental is an important way of making jazz readily understood. For the vocalese fan, it does not get any better that this CD. He takes on instrumentals from Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderly, Dizzy Gillespie and Junior Mance that would help even a novice jazz fan understand the depth of this fine music.
The only sad thing is because his life was cut short, we are limited to only a few CD gems from this master vocalist.

If you are a true lover of jazz music and you like to listen to something that is off the beaten track from the usual music of the "jazz greats" then this CD is the one for you. THE BEST version of A Train I have ever heard.

Eddie Jefferson first recorded his pioneering vocalese in 1949. I first started paying attention to Jefferson a couple decades ago when I heard Tim Hauser, a founding member of Manhattan Transfer, praise Jefferson as the world's greatest jazz singer.

Jefferson writes and sings intelligent and clever lyrics to recorded jazz solos, usually those with a boppish feel. Jefferson's voice is not beautiful; he lacks the stunning vocal equipment of Joe Williams, for example. However, Jefferson is a skillful master of vocalese who can deliver tortuous lines with verve and rhythmic precision.

Jefferson selects jazz classics likely to be known by his audience. His presentations are rhythmically captivating, and his vocal delivery is oftentimes percussive. Jefferson has a stunning ability to duplicate complex and rapid lines while delivering his narratives with always intelligible pronunciation. This clear enunciation of even rhythmically demanding passages helps draw listeners into the music.

This session from 1962 has Jefferson in top form and surrounded by top tier musicians. Jefferson performs three tunes with a quintet featuring Johnny Griffin on tenor. Other tracks feature an all-star tentet playing arrangements by Ernie Wilkins, best known for his work with Count Basie. Musicians include Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, Joe Newman, Joe Zawinul, Junior Mance, Wynton Kelly, James Moody, Jimmy Cleveland, Sam Jones, and Louis Hayes.

Bottom Line: Arguably Jefferson's best, this album should bring joy to nearly any listener. Jefferson's intelligent lyrics and winning delivery help draw listeners into the music, even listeners who have little interest in bebop.