Lee Morgan and Wynton Kelly: Dizzy Atmosphere

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Al Grey (tb)
Billy Mitchell (reeds)
Paul West (b)
Wynton Kelly (p)
Charles Persip (d)
Billy Root (bs)
Lee Morgan (t)

Label:

Specialty

April/2012

Catalogue Number:

OJCCD 1762-2

RecordDate:

18 February 1957

Whenever it came for Dizzy Gillespie to organise a big band, he invariably staffed it with a mixture of young foot-soldiers eager to impress and a few experienced road warriors to (hopefully) keep things in check. At just 19, Lee Morgan already had two Blue Note albums as a leader under his belt while at 32, trombonist Al Grey had previously added weight to the bands of Benny Cater, Jimmie Lunceford, Lionel Hampton and later Count Basie. This was an on the road cash-in-hand session for a label more noted for it's output of jukebox R&B and rock ‘n’ roll hits. Indeed, it was quite probably funded with revenue generated by its biggest selling artist, Little Richard. It wasn't an album that would change the course of music, but it was yet another formative example of young Morgan's virtuosity prior to becoming a Jazz Messenger and a major contender with the release of the group's Moanin' album the following year. Of prime interest here are the two contrasting takes of Benny Golson's ‘Whisper Not’ – a version of which had already been included on Morgan's second Blue Note album and which later became an integral part of The Messenger's repertoire. No means essential. But still worth a listen.

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