The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

For those of us who foresaw that we would still be social distancing that we would be listening to great music in the safety of our homes. This week I’ve taken the liberty of enjoying listening to Sonny Rollins and Coleman Hawkins on their 1963 album titled Sonny Meets Hawk! Released on RCA Victor. Recorded in the RCA Victor Studio B in New York City on July 15 & 18 1963, the album features some of Sonny’s most avant-garde playing.

The album was produced by George Avakian and marked the first time the two saxophonists recorded studio together, although they had appeared on stage together briefly that same year at the Newport Jazz Festival.

1. Yesterdays (Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach) ~ 5:13
2. All the Things You Are (Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II) ~ 9:33
3. Summertime (DuBose Heyward, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) ~ 5:58
4. Just Friends (John Klenner, Sam M. Lewis) ~ 4:40
5. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be?)  (Jimmy Davis, Roger “Ram” Ramirez, James Sherman) ~ 8:54
6. At McKies’ (Rollins) ~ 7:03

• Sonny Rollins – tenor saxophone
• Coleman Hawkins – tenor saxophone
• Paul Bley – piano
• Roy McCurdy – drums
• Bob Cranshaw – bass (tracks 1, 2, and 5) – recorded July 15
• Henry Grimes – bass (tracks 3, 4, and 6) – recorded July 18

More Posts: adventure,album,club,genius,jazz,museum,music,preserving,restaurant,travel