Bennie Green - The Swingin'est (1958)
Bennie Green - The Swingin'est (1958)
1 Juggin' Around 6:31 2 Going South 10:43 3 Jim Dog 7:04 4 Sermonette 4:19 5 Little Ditty 4:01 6 Swingin' For Benny 12:10 7 Juggin' Around (alternate take) 6:46 8 Jim Dog (alternate take) 7:31 9 Sermonette (alternate take 7) 4:19 Bass – Ed Jones Drums – Albert Heath Flute – Frank Wess Piano – Eddie Higgins Tenor Saxophone – Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Gene Ammons Trombone – Benny Green Trumpet – Nat Adderley
The emphasis is on the blues and very basic chord changes on this relaxed jam session. With trombonist Bennie Green leading an octet that also includes the tenors of Gene Ammons and Frank Foster, trumpeter Nat Adderley, Frank Wess on tenor and flute and a rhythm section led by pianist Tommy Flanagan, everyone has plenty of opportunities to solo. Due to the similarity of the material plus three alternate takes that have been added to augment the original program, it is advisable to listen to this CD in small doses. ---Scott Yanow, AllMusic Review
Bennie Green, 16 April 1923, Chicago, Illinois, USA, d. 23 March 1977, San Diego, California, USA. After playing locally for a while during his teenage years, trombonist Green joined the bebop-orientated Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines band in 1942. He continued to be associated with Hines until the early 50s, his spells with the band being interrupted by military service and periods working with Charlie Ventura, the band co-led by Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt and the small groups he led himself. In the late 60s he was briefly with Duke Ellington, then settled in Las Vegas, where he worked in various hotel and casino house bands. Green’s playing ranged widely, encompassing the swing-era style prominent during his formative years; he was one of only a few trombonists to adapt comfortably to bebop, and he also played R&B. ---oldies.com
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