The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Vol. 1 [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

J.J. Johnson (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 24, 2001)
• Original Release Date: June 22, 1953
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B00005LANM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,513 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Jazz > Bebop > Hard Bop

• This item is part of The RVG Edition Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Johnson was unquestionably the first trombonist of bop when he recorded this June 1953 sextet date, although he had temporarily left full-time musical employment for work as a blueprint inspector at the time. That situation might have contributed to the combined sense of joy and urgency that propels this music, but it might also be the presence of the brilliant young trumpeter Clifford Brown, just 22 then and in his first month as a recording jazz musician. With their precise articulation, fleet inventiveness, and brassy fanfares, the two giants have much in common, and Brown's fire is a complement to Johnson's warmth. Johnson's talents as a composer shine on the boppish "Turnpike," while "Lover Man" shows both the depths of his lyricism and his knack for thoughtful arrangements using the limited resources of a small band. Jimmy Heath contributes some fluent tenor saxophone solos, and his baritone enriches the dark-hued orchestrations. The rhythm section of pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Kenny Clarke--already three-quarters of the Modern Jazz Quartet--provides thoughtful and dynamic support. "Sketch" reveals Lewis's gift for stretching the range of jazz composition, creating a series of shifting moods for each of the horn players. Rudy Van Gelder's remastering adds significant presence and clarity to a session that was always distinguished by intrepid writing as well as lively execution. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reverse the order., August 16, 2006

By	Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

With little fanfare, Blue Note/Capitol (or Amazon) has lowered the price on many of the most essential RVG editions, making it hard to resist picking up both volumes 1 and 2 of this series. If you're limiting yourself to just one, don't assume Vol. 1 has to be better because of the presence of Clifford Brown. He's in predictably top form, as is Jimmy Heath, but Volume 2 is the more satisfying demonstration of J. J.'s singular eminence as a player, featuring him either as the solo horn or joined by the always companionable Hank Mobley. In fact, Vol. 1, with its 3-horn arrangements and harmonic obstacle courses, places less emphasis on J. J.'s melodic inventiveness and unique, burnished sound. Finally, both volumes include 3 gratuitous (for most listeners) retakes, making it tempting to download the master takes from both sessions onto a single disk.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eminent indeed, October 6, 2006

By	R. Fischer (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Every time I listen to "Capri", the first track on this fine CD, I have to smile. What a joyful tune! Just try to keep from tapping your foot to the music, or humming along with the band. Go on, I dare ya.

J. J. Johnson's command of the trombone is stunning: fast or slow, high or low, he plays it all with a seemingly effortless mastery. Note how melodic his solos are, even on the uptempo numbers. Jimmy Heath on tenor and Clifford Brown on trumpet play with energy and passion. The rhythm section--John Lewis on piano, Percy Heath (Jimmy's brother) on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums--sounds great but isn't as tight as the Kelly-Mingus-Clarke-Martinez section on Eminent vol 2.

Both vols 1 and 2 were remastered in 2001, with audio much improved over their 1989 CD releases.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz trombone at its absolute best, July 9, 2005

By	Robert Bezimienny (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jay Jay Johnson is the only jazz trombonist who produces sounds that are simply beautiful. Here he teams with the trumpeter Clifford Brown and the results are incredible. Both have the ability to articulate notes with accuracy and delicacy, and so can make blue moods haunting and fragile, yet be equally adept in making the up-tempo numbers blaze. Jimmy Heath, on sax, is also in great form, living up to his nickname of 'Little Bird'. The technical sound quality is marvellous too, despite the vintage (recorded June 22nd, 1953).
*
Johnson had worked with the big bands of Benny Carter and Count Basie, and recorded with Bud Powell, Sonny Stitt and Miles Davis (available on the RVG series 'Miles Davis, Volume 2'). He went on to work scoring films and eventually retired from performance. He died in 2001.
*
If you've heard Curtis Fuller, or Grachan Moncur, and, their virtues nowwithstanding, wondered whether the trombone was truly agile enough for be-bop or post-bop jazz, be prepared to be converted. This record, along with Art Blakey's 'A Night at Birdland' dates, rank as some of my favourite early 50's jazz recordings.