Jazz / West Coast Jazz; Cool; Bop; Standards
Recording Date: Mar 1959
LP Reproduction Series
West Coast guitarist Howard Roberts was something of an unsung hero of that area's jazz scene. Though his bop-influenced style of cool jazz was tremendously influential, Roberts himself was content to spend the bulk of his career working mainly on the Los Angeles session circuit, where one of his numerous recordings was the eerie theme to THE TWILIGHT ZONE. 1959's GOOD PICKIN'S is an early Roberts effort that finds him performing both original "head" arrangements and bop and pop standards like "Relaxin' At Camarillo" and "All the Things You Are." Demonstrating a fluid, creative style, as well as an obvious affinity for Charlie Parker, Roberts moves easily from the bebop stylings of "Will You Still Be Mine" to the bluesy "Lover Man," aided by the sympathetic accompaniment of his band, which includes his longtime colleague, pianist Pete Jolly, and legendary bop drummer Stan Levey
Howard Roberts - guitar
Bill Holman - tenor saxophone
Pete Jolly - piano
Red Mitchell - bass guitar
Stan Levy - drums |
