In 1949, producer
Norman Granz released a remarkable album of 78s that consisted of a dozen selections (many of them specially recorded for the occasion) that perfectly summed up the modern jazz scene of the time. The deluxe set consisted of two
Duke Ellington features for baritonist Harry Carney with strings, a pair of complex
Neal Hefti arrangements, small-group sides by
Lester Young,
Charlie Parker,
Bud Powell, and altoist
Willie Smith,
Machito's "Tanga," major works by arrangers
Ralph Burns and
George Handy and, the piece de resistance,
Coleman Hawkins' pioneering unaccompanied tenor solo "Picasso." Now all of this music has been reissued on a very attractive, double-CD set that also contains five alternate takes plus three previously unknown
Billy Strayhorn piano solos, further examples of
Lester Young and
Willie Smith, an obscure
Hawkins session with
J.J. Johnson from 1949, a few numbers from a forgotten
Flip Phillips session, and three selections by
Ralph Burns in 1955, two of which feature explosive trumpet work from
Roy Eldridge. The new packaging is magnificent, with many Gjon Mili photographs of the top jazzmen of the era and extensive liner notes. This was one of the top reissues of 1994 and is essential for all serious historical jazz collections. ~ Scott Yanow