ILLINOIS JACQUET - The Illinois Jacquet Collection 1942-56
Acrobat ADDCD3203 2 CD Set
Includes performances with Lionel Hampton, J.J. Johnson, Nat King Cole, Wynonie Harris, Bill Doggett, Trummy Young, Fats Navarro, Ben Webster, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Flip Phillips, Roy Eldridge, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Herb Ellis & Ray Brown
Recorded at various locations between 1942 & 1956
Illinois Jacquet belonged to the Texas school of tenor players who were noted for their big sound and having an affinity with the R & B scene.
Illinois worked with a number of big bands including Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway and Count Basie before joining the Norman Granz Jazz at Philharmonic concert tours where he was noted for his honking and squealing solos which the audiences loved but was frowned on by devoted jazz followers. He also led his own seven piece group and some of these recordings are present on this collection which covers his recording career from 1942 to 1956, his brother Russell was also included in this band.
Illinois Jacquet will be best remembered for his solo on the 1942 recording of “Flying Home” by the Lionel Hampton band which is often reproduced by other tenor players. This track opens CD One and still stands up today as an example of fine big band swing with a memorable saxophone outing. Track Two is a segment of the Jazz At The Philharmonic recording in 1944 of “Blue Pt. 2” which showcases Illinois Jacquet’s over the top tenor solo which was was very popular with audiences at the time but stands out today as one of taste. The track fades out before Les Paul and Nat Cole start their chase choruses.
There are four examples of Jacquet soloing with the Count Basie Orchestra unfortunately on “Rock-A-Bye Basie” Jacquet still retains some of his mannerisms from his J.A.T.P. days. The other three Basie tracks are much better and Jacquet was responsible for the arrangements on “The King” and “Mutton Leg”, Joe Newman and Harry Edison also get their chance to shine on these tracks.
Illinois Jacquet’s All Stars are good examples of small group swing on “Robbin’s Nest” he is at his most relaxed which is apparent in his laid back approach. On one of his signature numbers “Black Velvet” he is backed by an all star line up and he delivers a stunning solo, this number had a later lyric added which was named “Don’t Go Away Mad” and was covered by many vocalists. Illinois Jacquet’s ballad playing is one of his best features and there are a number on this album including “Memories of You”, “Pastel” and “Blue Nocturne”.
On the final track he gives a near definitive reading of “Harlem Nocturne” which includes some sensitive trumpet playing by Roy Eldridge.
This release covers much of Illinois Jacquet’s early work and covers some little heard performances which some aspects of his work which call for closer inspection.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Acrobat ADDCD3203 2 CD Set
Includes performances with Lionel Hampton, J.J. Johnson, Nat King Cole, Wynonie Harris, Bill Doggett, Trummy Young, Fats Navarro, Ben Webster, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Flip Phillips, Roy Eldridge, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Herb Ellis & Ray Brown
Recorded at various locations between 1942 & 1956
Illinois Jacquet belonged to the Texas school of tenor players who were noted for their big sound and having an affinity with the R & B scene.
Illinois worked with a number of big bands including Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway and Count Basie before joining the Norman Granz Jazz at Philharmonic concert tours where he was noted for his honking and squealing solos which the audiences loved but was frowned on by devoted jazz followers. He also led his own seven piece group and some of these recordings are present on this collection which covers his recording career from 1942 to 1956, his brother Russell was also included in this band.
Illinois Jacquet will be best remembered for his solo on the 1942 recording of “Flying Home” by the Lionel Hampton band which is often reproduced by other tenor players. This track opens CD One and still stands up today as an example of fine big band swing with a memorable saxophone outing. Track Two is a segment of the Jazz At The Philharmonic recording in 1944 of “Blue Pt. 2” which showcases Illinois Jacquet’s over the top tenor solo which was was very popular with audiences at the time but stands out today as one of taste. The track fades out before Les Paul and Nat Cole start their chase choruses.
There are four examples of Jacquet soloing with the Count Basie Orchestra unfortunately on “Rock-A-Bye Basie” Jacquet still retains some of his mannerisms from his J.A.T.P. days. The other three Basie tracks are much better and Jacquet was responsible for the arrangements on “The King” and “Mutton Leg”, Joe Newman and Harry Edison also get their chance to shine on these tracks.
Illinois Jacquet’s All Stars are good examples of small group swing on “Robbin’s Nest” he is at his most relaxed which is apparent in his laid back approach. On one of his signature numbers “Black Velvet” he is backed by an all star line up and he delivers a stunning solo, this number had a later lyric added which was named “Don’t Go Away Mad” and was covered by many vocalists. Illinois Jacquet’s ballad playing is one of his best features and there are a number on this album including “Memories of You”, “Pastel” and “Blue Nocturne”.
On the final track he gives a near definitive reading of “Harlem Nocturne” which includes some sensitive trumpet playing by Roy Eldridge.
This release covers much of Illinois Jacquet’s early work and covers some little heard performances which some aspects of his work which call for closer inspection.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
