Eddie Jefferson, one of the great jazz singers and an important pioneer of vocalese, is heard in peak form on this Evidence CD which reissues an Inner City LP and adds six previously unissued selections to the program. The bulk of the music is from 1959-1961, with
Jefferson backed by several horns including trumpeter
Howard McGhee and tenor saxophonist
James Moody, and sometimes three other vocalists. There are many highlights including
Jefferson's original classic versions of "Body and Soul" (a tribute to
Coleman Hawkins, the "king of the saxophone") and "So What" (dedicated to
Miles Davis), a remake of "Moody's Mood for Love" and vocalese adaptations of a few
Lester Young and
Charlie Parker solos. Most of the unissued tracks are from these sessions, but there is also "Silly Little Cynthia" from 1964 (a duet with pianist Tommy Tucker) and a meeting with guitarist
Louisiana Red on 1965's "Red's New Dream." When one considers that
Jefferson otherwise did not record during 1963-1967, it makes those two numbers not only enjoyable but historic. This CD is highly recommended for all jazz collections. [Inner City reissued the album in 2008.] ~ Scott Yanow