Jazz / Cool; Latin Jazz; Post-Bop; Afro-Cuban Jazz
Recorded: Dec 4, 1954
After he left Dave Brubeck's trio, Cal Tjader spent a brief time with Alvino Rey, then formed his own group and became famous as a trailblazer who melded Afro-Cuban rhythms into jazz. Long after his death in 1982, he continues as a major influence in Latin music. Deep in his heart, however, Tjader was a thoroughgoing jazz man, first as a drummer noted for his exceptional sense of time, then as a vibraharpist. Around the time he was named New Star in the vibes category of the 1955 Down Beat critics' poll, Fantasy released this classic album. It finds Tjader squarely in the middle of the jazz mainstream with two units of first-rank colleagues. One includes the Lester Young disciple Brew Moore on tenor saxophone with Sonny Clark, Eugene Wright, and Bobby White, the Buddy DeFranco rhythm section of the time. The other has guitarist Eddie Duran, trombonist Bob Collins, and the great bassist Al McKibbon, the keystone and anchor of Tjader's working band.
Cal Tjader Quintet
Cal Tjader - vibraphone
Brew Moore - tenor saxophone
Sonny Clark - piano
Eugene Wright - bass
Bobby White
Cal Tjader Quartet
Cal Tjader - vibraphone
Bob Collins - trombone
Eddie Duran - guitar
Al Mckibbon - bass |
