Brown, Clifford
Essential Jazz Classics, 2009, CD
Instrument: Trumpet
Issue: 15.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: This album is a compilation of all studio recordings of the Roach-Brown Quintet with Sonny Rollins. There is a lot of fate that brought this team together and broke them up. The liner notes provide excellent detail. The warmth and richness that they shared is unmistakable on “I Remember April” for example. Clifford (t) and Sonny (ts) both dash through the melodies without missing a beat. And they capture all of the rich tone of their instruments along the way. They play upbeat tunes and ballads but shine on the burners. The dark horse in this ensemble is pianist and arranger Richie Powell (Bud’s younger brother). He is equally talented and delivers a sterling performance. He was tragically killed in the same car accident that took the life of Clifford Brown. Bassist George Morrow anchors the rhythm section with timekeeper Max Roach who needs no introduction. These sessions are from 1956, a time when each of the musicians was performing in peak form. The real tragedy is that the life of this group was prematurely abbreviated. It is clear that they had much more to offer. These 14 tunes: 9 covers plus 2 by Sonny and 3 by Richie are a great package.
Publicist: Music Video Distributors
