Legendary drummer
Art Taylor played on a multitude of classic jazz sessions, but only managed to release a few dates as a leader before he passed away in 1995. His second,
Taylor's Tenors, from mid-1959, features two straight-ahead tenor saxophonists,
Charlie Rouse and
Frank Foster, engaging in an insightful yet swinging hard bop conversation.
Rouse would shortly become
Thelonious Monk's tenor of choice, while
Foster continued his tenure with
Count Basie's band for another five years. These six hard bop pieces include two by
Monk,
Jackie McLean's "Fidel," and originals each from
Rouse, pianist
Walter Davis, and
Taylor.