Jazz / Soul-Jazz, Hard Bop
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Sax (Tenor)
Harry "Sweets" Edison - Trumpet
Al Grey - Trombone
Arne Frager Engineer
Art Hillery Piano, Organ
John Heard Bass
Norman Granz Producer, Liner Notes
Roy McCurdy Drums
Despite its title, this Pablo album is not a reunion of Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic although it does seek to recreate some of the original spirit of the 1950s organized jam sessions. Tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis heads the swinging sextet which also includes trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, trombonist Al Grey, Art Hillery on piano and organ, bassist John Heard and drummer Roy McCurdy. "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" and "Slow Drag" are given lengthy interpretations (both are around ten minutes apiece) while six other familiar standards are more concise. Nothing all that unusual occurs but there are some fiery moments from the classic swing stylists. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
Active Decades: '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s
Born: Mar 02, 1922 in New York, NY
Died: Nov 03, 1986 in Culver City, CA
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Bop, Hard Bop, Latin Jazz, Soul-Jazz, Swing
Possessor of a cutting and immediately identifiable tough tenor tone, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis could hold his own in a saxophone battle with anyone. Early on, he picked up experience playing with the bands of Cootie Williams (1942-1944), Lucky Millinder, Andy Kirk (1945-1946), and Louis Armstrong. He began heading his own groups from 1946 and Davis' earliest recordings as a leader tended to be explosive R&B affairs with plenty of screaming from his horn; he matched wits successfully with Fats Navarro on one session. Davis was with Count Basie's Orchestra on several occasional (including 1952-1953, 1957, and 1964-1973) and teamed up with Shirley Scott's trio during 1955-1960. During 1960-1962, he collaborated in some exciting performances and recordings with Johnny Griffin, a fellow tenor who was just as combative as Davis. After temporarily retiring to become a booking agent (1963-1964), Davis rejoined Basie. In his later years, Lockjaw often recorded with Harry "Sweets" Edison and he remained a busy soloist up until his death. Through the decades, he recorded as a leader for many labels, including Savoy, Apollo, Roost, King, Roulette, Prestige/Jazzland/Moodsville, RCA, Storyville, MPS, Black & Blue, Spotlite, SteepleChase, Pablo, Muse, and Enja.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
