DOLO COKER - California Hard
Xanadu Master Edition 906081
Dolo Coker ( pno ) Blue Mitchell ( tpt / l horn ) Art Pepper ( alto / tnr ) Leroy Vinnegar ( bass ) Frank Butler ( drs )
Recorded California, 27 December 1976
Pianist Dolo Coker was born in Hartford in 1927 but spent his early years playing in the Philadelphia area with many well known jazz musicians including Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, Gene Ammons and Kenny Dorham and many others. In 1960 he relocated to Los Angeles and formed a trio, he went on to work and record with many top named Wet Coast musicians.
On this album he is with a front line of Blue Mitchell and Art Pepper, he was the pianist on Art Pepper’s 1960 album “Intensity” he was also on Dexter Gordon’s album “The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon” so he was moving in fast company.
Four of the compositions are by members of the group, two by Dolo Coker and one each by Blue Mitchell and Art Pepper. The final bonus track on the album, “’Round Midnight” is a solo piano performance by Dolo Coker.
The solo performances on “Gone With The Wind” are some of the best on the album, Blue Mitchell’s flugelhorn is mellow and thoughtful, whilst Art Pepper art is at his best on alto, the leaders piano solo is a delight.
The beautiful ballad with Lionel Hampton and members of his band as composers brings out the best in Dolo Coker’s playing. This track features just the trio and the pianist makes interesting use of his block chord style.
Blue Mitchell’s composition “Roots 4fb” is a feature for drummer Frank Butler but not before Dolo Coker has opened the proceedings with some spirited piano and Blue Mitchell has produced a cleaned lined solo. Art Pepper switches to tenor for this number with no loss of his high standard.. Frank Butler’s drum solo is varied and interesting without resorting to showmanship.
Art Pepper’s 2Mr Yohe” is a bright and catchy tune with fine solos all round but it is Frank Butler’s drum figures behind the soloists that caches the attention of the listener. Dolo Coker’s solo outing on Monk’s tune “’Round Midnight” is a welcome addition to the original releases gives the listener to hear the pianist at his most reflective.
This must be one of the best of the re-releases from the Xanadu label and should be welcomed by lovers of this style of jazz.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Xanadu Master Edition 906081
Dolo Coker ( pno ) Blue Mitchell ( tpt / l horn ) Art Pepper ( alto / tnr ) Leroy Vinnegar ( bass ) Frank Butler ( drs )
Recorded California, 27 December 1976
Pianist Dolo Coker was born in Hartford in 1927 but spent his early years playing in the Philadelphia area with many well known jazz musicians including Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, Gene Ammons and Kenny Dorham and many others. In 1960 he relocated to Los Angeles and formed a trio, he went on to work and record with many top named Wet Coast musicians.
On this album he is with a front line of Blue Mitchell and Art Pepper, he was the pianist on Art Pepper’s 1960 album “Intensity” he was also on Dexter Gordon’s album “The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon” so he was moving in fast company.
Four of the compositions are by members of the group, two by Dolo Coker and one each by Blue Mitchell and Art Pepper. The final bonus track on the album, “’Round Midnight” is a solo piano performance by Dolo Coker.
The solo performances on “Gone With The Wind” are some of the best on the album, Blue Mitchell’s flugelhorn is mellow and thoughtful, whilst Art Pepper art is at his best on alto, the leaders piano solo is a delight.
The beautiful ballad with Lionel Hampton and members of his band as composers brings out the best in Dolo Coker’s playing. This track features just the trio and the pianist makes interesting use of his block chord style.
Blue Mitchell’s composition “Roots 4fb” is a feature for drummer Frank Butler but not before Dolo Coker has opened the proceedings with some spirited piano and Blue Mitchell has produced a cleaned lined solo. Art Pepper switches to tenor for this number with no loss of his high standard.. Frank Butler’s drum solo is varied and interesting without resorting to showmanship.
Art Pepper’s 2Mr Yohe” is a bright and catchy tune with fine solos all round but it is Frank Butler’s drum figures behind the soloists that caches the attention of the listener. Dolo Coker’s solo outing on Monk’s tune “’Round Midnight” is a welcome addition to the original releases gives the listener to hear the pianist at his most reflective.
This must be one of the best of the re-releases from the Xanadu label and should be welcomed by lovers of this style of jazz.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
